Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-05-07
Shrubs and Flowers.

Although shrubbery, properly planted
and cared for, constitutes one of the prin-
cipal attractions of the garden, yet it is
strangely neglected even in many gardens
which, in other respects, areall that could
be desired. Whether we consider the va
riety of form and foliage, the attractive
ness of bloom, or the ease of culture, this
department of the flower garden is GER
tainly worthy of more attention than 1t
has hitherto received As the time has
come when shrubs should be planted, a
few remarks concerning them may not be
amiss.
As the shrubs commence their growth
very early in the spring, they should be
planted as early as the ground is in fit
ed, cuttings should be Immediately made
and kept in sand until the weather is suf-
ficiently mild to permit their planting
In many of the varieties, plants may be
grown from cuttings with as much ease as
currants or gooseberries.
In general, shrubs should be planted in
groups or clumps rather than singly, al
though a single plant of the large sort
may be grown as a specimen, with good
effect sometimes. OF course the number
of shrubs composing a group must depend
good deal upon the size of the grounds.
In large place the number of shrubs in
group should not only be greater, but
larger shrubs, even approaching the size
of small trees, may appropriately be en-
ployed.
The soil for shrubs should be a moder-
ately enriched garden loan and should
receive a slight top-dressing of well rotted
manure each season.
But little pruning is necessary. A stiff,
formal shape for shrubs is not at all de-
sirable, but a natural form should be kept,
free from staggling and deformed branch
es.
In planting a clump of shrubs, if on the
borders of the garden, the largest size
should be planted at the back and smaller
ones in the front, the latter hiding the
naked stems of the former. If in the
open ground, the large ones should be
| planted in the centre and the drawler
sorts around them. The forms of the
clumps may bevarious, round, oval, palm
| leaf or irregular, any shape being prefer
able to those with acute angles, as trian-
gular, square &c.
\ list of select shrubs is added which
is not to be considered as comprising all
that are desirable, but only few of the
best and most easily cultivated. or large
sorts would name:
Althea or Rose of Sharon.-Desirable
on account of blooming in the autumn
months, when few shrubs are in flower.
Cydonia Japonica or Japan Quince-is
very beautiful shrub, with scarlet or
blush flowers.
Tho Anxrorirorr oflr 70 orr a
fine shrubs, with various colored flowers,
of very easy culture.
Privet-A well known hedge plant
Fine in shrubbery.
Philadelpus coronaria or Syringa-A
well known fragrant shrub. Very desir-
able.
irregular shrub with long clusters of rose
colored flowers.
Syringa vulgaris or Common Lilac
well known.
Syringa persica or Persian Lilac-more
delicate than the common lilac.
Viburnum 0pulus or Snow-ball-well
known
OF the dwarfer sorts the following are
desirable:
Amygdalus or Almond-The double
towering dwarf Almond is beautiful, and
too well known to need any description.
Berberis or Barberry-Pretty shrubs.
Deutza-A beautiful family of shrubs,
of which Degracilis is the smallest and
most beautiful. This variety should be
found in every collection.
Peonia Mouton or Tree Peony-Fine
shrub. with magnificent large flowers.
Roses of all sorts.
Weigelia-0ne of the very best dwarf
shrubs, fine in foliage and form, abundant
and beautiful in bloom. Some of the re-
cent introductions are especially desira-
ble.-C0mtry Ge'aLeman. a