SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 133, 8 June 1939, Page 21

SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS

It can readily be understood that to record a complete list of desirable shrubs is impossible in the limited space of this column. The following list is of varieties which are hardy and easily grown while being suitable for gardens of limited area.

Prostanthera rotundifolia is one of the Australian "mint bushes." It is a beautiful bushy shrub which flowers in the spring. Blooms are borne in profusion and are of a purplish violet colour. It thrives in any ordinary garden soil and attains, a height of from 5 to 6 feet.

Eugenia myrtifolia is another Australian shrub which will grow to a

height of 16 feet or more. It is a shapely shrub of rapid growth and bears large crops of purple berries in late winter. This is a subject very suitable for warm situations and seaside gardens.

Rhus cotinus is a useful shrub attaining a height of 6ft. Sometimes known as the smoke tree on account of the greyish-whijte masses of flowers which cover the bushes in summer, the foliage turns crimson in the autumn. The variety atropurpurea has beautiful purple foliage. The plants are apt to become straggly unless shortened back rather drastically after flowering.

Diosma ericoides is a compact, sweetscented shrub which is covered with tiny white flowers in season. It is evergreen and attains a height of about 4 or 5 feet. Romneya coulteri. the Californian tree poppy, is a beautiful shrub when grpwn well. The large satiny white flowers with crimped petals have a large golden centre and a delicate scent like primroses. The greyish-green foliage is also very handsome. This plant should be cut hard back after flowering; it will then send up fresh growths from ground level which will bear flowers the following year. A position sheltered from the wox'st winds should be chosen for this plant, otherwise the purity of the flowers will be damaged by chafing. Veronica hulkeana is the most beautiful of our native veronicas with long sprays of lilac-coloured flowers in loose panicles. A dressing of lime now and then will improve the condition of the plant. Viturnum carlesii bears clusters of very deliciously perfumed flowers which are a delicate pink in the bud

stage, opening white. The foliage turns beautiful colours in the autumn. There are several beautiful proteas, all natives of South Africa. These are very suitable for seaside places as they stand up well to salt-laden winds. The plants flower very freely over a long season. To prevent the plants becoming straggly they should be pruned after flowering. Leptospermum Nichollsii, the red manuka, is one of the most beautiful of native shrubs for small gardens, producing bright crimson blooms in profusion. This plant firows to a height of about 6 feet and does not require rich soil. Avoid lime in the soil.

Leonotus leonorus, the lion's tail, is a splendid subject for dry, sandy situations. Each new spike produces brilliant, orange-scarlet flowers in whorls. Requires rather hard cutting back after flowering. Ericas, or heaths, are of many varieties and are quite hardy. They should be planted in full sunshine in ground which is free from lime. They particularly relish leaf-soil, and a mulch of leaves or leaf mould once a year will supply all the manure required. Remove all dead blooms.

Boron ia megastigma is the favourite brown-flowered boronia which has such a delightful scent. Planted in a moist, but well-drained position the plants do best. Cut well back as soon as the flowering season is past.

Azaleas and rhododendrons both belong to the same family and require much the same soil and conditions. They prefer a sheltered, semi-shady situation, with good soil free from lime and fresh animal manures. They delight in leaf mould, and peat, but these are not absolutely necessary. Mulch well in summer and don't let them get too dry at the roots. Crotolaria laburnifolia (the Western Australian "Bird Flower") is a quickgrowing shrub bearing spikes of greenish-yellow flowers, which resemble small birds suspended by their beaks from the stems. Plant in a sheltered spot and prune hard in the winter.

Cantria dependens has long trum-pet-shaped flowers, rose and yellow in colour, which hang in clusters from the ends of the branches. It is quite, hardy, and not particular as to soil and requires rather ha^ pruning.