Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-19
G A r D EN-
CUBAN
Late Bloom in the Shrub Border
By w. II. YouNcMAN

Most yards do not permit of
a great variety of shrubbery and
so the gardener tends to concen-
ltrate on the spring boomers. In
The suburbs, however, where there
is more space for shrubbery, we
might well give some thought to
q number of good late summer
and early fall boomers.
The earliest of the summer
boomers are the butterfly bush
(Buddleia) and the crepe myrtle.
The latter is not too hardy in
the more exposed situations. al
though if not protected it will
often develop into a good sized
bush that will produce bloom
for many seasons. The crepe
myrtle is tender and so should
not be coddled as the well-ma-
Itured wood is winter hardy.
The butterfly bush is well
known in many Washington gar
dens and priced for its long
lasting bloom. There are a size
able number of varieties to select
from. Some, like the lille de
France, are rather strong grow
ers, while others are much
smaller and more suitable for
the smaller yard.
White Spiked CIethra
The clethra, or summersweet
as it is often called, is usually
a late summer hloomer although
this season it is blooming in early
August. While often listed as a
shrub suitable for moist situa-
tons, it seems to thrive under av-
erage garden conditions. The
fragrant white spikes add much
to the interest of the garden, par
ticularly at night.
The clethra makes a compact
bush to 6 or 8 feet and will grow
in sun or light shade.
Almost everyone is acquainted
with the althea. or Rose of Sha-
ron. but few take the trouble to
check on the many varieties
which are available. This hardy,
dependable shrub may be used
as a tall screen. as a hedge, or
as a specimen plant. The more it
is pruned the more compact the
althea will grow. It's long-f1ow-
ering season is another of its
desirable characteristics. Note
the single and double lowered
forms as well as the colors which
range from pure white to a real
blue-Celestial blue.
Stewartia and Hypericum
The Franklinia is grown in a
few yards of the Washington
area but it seems to be tempera-
mental in becoming established.
The Stewartia. however, has
much the same habit of growth
and the flowers are practically
as snowy, hence it would seem
to be the more desirable shrub to
plant. Give it planting hole
that is well supplied with humus
and in a situation that is not
exposed to strong winds. How
ever. it should not be given too
much. protection or it may suffer
some winter damage to the new
growth. The Stewartia is a large
shrub or small tree.
Another shrub that we should
not overlook. although it is more
bush than shrub, is the Hyper
icum or st. Johnsworth. Because
of its relatively low growth-2
to 8 feet-many consider it a
subject for the perennial border.
The hypefieums seem to like a
/ soil that is not too acid. 1t also
needs plenty of compost in the
planting hole. The well-grown
Hypericum should be a mound
of bright-yellow blooms in late
summer and early fall. The mass
Of stamens make each flower
look like a ball. Some of the
never varieties appear most at
tractive but have not been proved
in this area.
! The shady garden might well
include an oak-leaved hydrangea,
which is most attractive in foil
age and in flower. In the more
exposed situations the flower
buds may be injured by the cold
but the foliage is well worth the
growing, The snowy panicles of
bloom which are much priced
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