HARDY DWARF SHRUBS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2130, 21 December 1880, Page 4

HARDY DWARF SHRUBS.

["Field."] For a small garden it is necessary to havo the shrubs of a very select oharacter, and such aB will not grow rampant and encroach unduly on tho limited area in the way one often sees after being a few years planted, when it frequently occurs that the choices', have boon smothered aud spoiled, and thato that remain are totally unfit for the positions they oooupy. One has only to go into any part of the outskirts of our great cities and towns to see striking instances of this, where in a few roods of ground in foreoourt gardens, may be seen firß enough, with other forest trees, to plant a small wood. If instead of such gigantio things being made use of, those of more lowly stature and striking habit were introduced, not only would they have a far better effect at the beginning, but they would be more satisfactory ever after. For a deoiduous shrub, there is nothing more ornamental than the Sumach, the leaves of whioh are almost equal to those of some of tho finest palms, and early in the autumn they assume the most beautiful tints, whioh deepen and intensify till they become defoliated by frost. The Sumach is a plant, too, that will bear the knife and a little cutting in of the stronger shoots without being disfigured ; but, as a rule, the less pruning this and others got, the better and more natural thoy look. Bhu3 cotinue, although not muoh to look at when only in leaf, iB grand after it shows its feathery inflorescence, whioh, if fully exposed in an open position where there is full play of sun and light, colors up most beautifully, and forms a remarkably at-tractive-looking object for some time during the summer. If flowering kindß of deciduous trees or shrubs are wanted, or there is room for them to be introduced, then the laburnum stands foremost, whioh, with a good stem to carry the head clear of others beneath, shows off the long racemose bunches of golden blossoms to the greatest advantage. A pair of these —one on each side of the entrance, or in each corner of a forecourt —is very telling, the pendulous branoheß fitting them admirably for euoh situations ; but it is a tree of such easy outline that it oannot well be misplaced. Then, again, there are the double thorns, almonds, and cherries —all having lovely tints of color; besides whioh there is the Malus floribundus, a new Japanese plant, having rosy petalled flowers like those of the apple. The guelder, rose, too, with its large globular clusters of snowy-white blossoms is very fine. And amongst evergreens that flower rhododeadrons take front rank: but, unfortunately, owing to peat being scarce and difficult to get, these are not muoh grown—though, if people were only aware that they would succeed in other Boils, they would be cultivated more than they now are. Turfy loam that has plenty of grit in it suits them well, as does also a mixture of this and decomposed leaves; but what they most dislike is land that has been under a system of cropping and is not fresh, or has calcareous matter in it, the latter of whioh is fatal to rhododendrons. Where these can be made to flourish there is no evergreen more desirable, as, besides being remarkably hardy and cheerfullooking all the year .round, in summer the best hybrid varieties are gorgeously beautiful, arrayed as they are in full splendour with blossoms.

There is one of the Himalayan varietiee to which I would call particular attention, as being able to stand out in most parts of England, viz., Faloonieri, a variety of noble aspeot, having leaves of upwards of a foot long, and from 4in. to 6in. wide, with the upper surface of a peculiar green and the under side of a oinnamon russet color, whioh renders it very striking when planted singly where it can be Been to advantage. Next in importance to this is the Berberis nepalensis, whioh has magnificent divided foliage, of a most massive description, large, thiok, and shiny, looking as if polished, in addition to whioh it annually sends out from the end of each shoot fine heads of flowers, succeeded by clusters of bluish-oolored berries, that have a very ornamental appearance. Like all the other Berberis, B. nepalensis delights in loose sandy soil, but is a ticklish thing to transplant, and should not be moved till the first week in April, when, if well watered and keep syringed, it will start away at once, and quickly become re-esta-blished. Of late years aucubas have been so muoh improved by orossing and intercrossing different kinds, that the best of them are among the most deßirable evergreens that can be had, as the foliage is not only large, but is remarkably handsome, some of the varieties being blotched and spotted with yellow. By planting.one or two of the males, that are now numerous enough, a crop of berries may be secured, whioh, being of a bright coral red and as large as marbles, add much to the plant's ornamental appearance. Auoubas are so hardy and accommodating that they will do well almost anywhere, and in any kind of soil, and can be lifted and transplanted with safety, the roots being so thiok and matted together that plants can always be got up with large balls of earth, and transferred from place to plaoe without causing much oheok. Magnolia grandiflora is also a plant of noble aspeot, having large, highly-polished leaves, but, except in favored districts, it requires shelter, as otherwise it is apt to get cut up and disfigured in sevore weather. The hardiest is the Exmouth variety, which should always be inquired for by anyone about to plant, and may be distinguished by the ferrugineous appearance of the under side of its foliage. A sandy soil and warm sunny position suits it best, in whioh its wood ripens up well and flowers more freely. The blooms of this magnolia are as large, when fully expanded, as an ordinary eizad basin, and ore very strongly perfumed. For standing out as a single specimen on lawns, nothing can be finer or more attractive looking than Ohamasrops Fortune!, a perfectly hardy palm, as last and the present severe winters have proved, plants having stood out in exposed places without any protection, where they endured 28deg. of frost without taking harm. The leaves of this stately and picturesque palm are fan-shaped and spreading, and rise from the crown of a dark looking stem, which slowly lengthens and increases in size till the plant assumes quite a tropical character. Chamserops Fortunei is suoh a highly ornamental subjeot that it is thoroughly deserving of being extensively grown; and, having shown its enduring nature under such trying weather, no one need hesitate now to add it to his garden. In planting the ground should be well broken up, and have Borne rotten manure added, together with any refuse peat or leaf mould that may be at hand, in whioh mixture the Ohameerops will be found to flourish. Bamboos, too, are plants of exceedingly graceful habit and tropical appearance; but, unfortunately, the majority of them are too tender to be depended on. There is one, however, that iB thoroughly hardy, and will stand in any exposed situation, whioh is B. metake, a variety from Japan and a good evergreen. One or two of this kind on a lawn, or in a prominent position among other shrubs, has a capital effect, as its habit is very flowing and graceful, and the light green of its foliage most pleasing to look on. The Osmanthusss, from the same oountry as this latter, are likewise very desirable shrubs; and hollies, both variegated aud plain, are quite indispensable in any garden, the former being particularly fine and elegantlooking, and the best kinds so cheerful in appearance as to quite brighten up any place in which they may be planted. All kinds of hollies like sandy soil, and should not be moved till April, a season in whioh we generally get warm growing showers, that keep the bark and buds plump, and soon set the plants on the move.