A popular and well-known evergreen shrub, the Portugal Laurel ([page 21]) forms a large spreading bush from 10 to over 20 feet in height. The ovate and lanceolate-shaped leaves are of a dense dark-green, and in June the large erect spikes of white flowers are very striking. In autumn the egg-shaped and dull-red coloured fruits are a noticeable feature.
Douglas’s Spiræa ([page 22]) forms a crowded cluster of erect shoots about 6 feet high, and in August the dense terminal spikes of rosy-red flowers open. Leaves acute, rounded, and downy beneath.
Spiræa Japonica ([page 23]) forms a bush 3 to 6 feet high with much branched shoots terminating in brightly coloured flat flower-heads which open from July onwards, and are relieved by the small spear-shaped, abrupt-pointed, and finely-serrated leaves.
A native of Nepaul, the Vine-leaved Neillia ([page 24]) is frequently seen in shrubberies, forming a hardy branching bush about five feet high, the shoots bearing spikes of white flowers in June. A distinctive feature of this plant is the heart-shaped, three-lobed, and serrated leaves.
The Jew’s Mallow ([page 25]) is one of the favourite plants commonly grown on cottage walls, and the illustration shows the double-flowering form with the solitary, terminal stalks of flowers, which open in early summer. The foliage is glabrous, spear-shaped and finely-toothed on the margins.
Few shrubs when in flower are capable of arresting attention so much as the Rocky Mountain Bramble ([page 26]). In May the large, single, white, rose-like flowers are a beautiful feature of this bramble, which attains a height of five feet. The kidney-shaped leaves are three to five-lobed and finely-toothed. A native of North America, where this plant is said to produce large fruits of delicious flavour.
The Cut-leaved Bramble ([page 27]) is frequently seen in a wild state, and is known by its finely-cut leaves. Of a pinkish-white colour, the flowers are borne in loose spikes from June to September, whilst fruit can be picked during the latter month. It is a robust climbing plant, and the wood is very prickly.
The Nutka Sound Raspberry ([page 28]) is one of the species that send up annual shoots attaining to a height of two feet, on which are borne the large ornamental five-lobed leaves. The large, handsome white flowers open in June, and the large, conical-shaped, red fruits ripen early in autumn.
Of a much-branched shrubby habit, the Shrubby Cinquefoil ([page 29]) forms a small bush from two to four feet in height, with pinnate leaves and entire hairy oblong leaflets. A native of the Northern Hemisphere, this cinquefoil produces flat-headed inflorescences of yellow flowers throughout the summer months.
The Small-leaved Rockspray ([page 30]) forms a prostrate bush about three feet high, and is distinguished by the branches being densely covered by small, acute, and dark-green glossy leaves. The small, white, solitary flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves during April and May. This plant is often grown as a wall plant, in which position it is conspicuous in winter with its bright-scarlet fruits.