THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS
THE CLASSES OF PLANTS, AND
LISTS - Continued
Of the foreign magnolias hardy in the North, two species and one group
of hybrids are prominent: M. stellata (or M. Halleana) and M.
Yulan or (M. conspicua), both white-flowered, the former very early
and having 9-18 petals and the latter (which is a larger tree) having
6-9 petals; M. Soulangeana, a hybrid group including the forms known
as Lennei, nigra, Norbertiana, speciosa, grandis. All these magnolias
are deciduous and bloom before the leaves appear.
Mulberry, Morus rubra.*
White mulberry, M. alba.
Russian mulberry, M. alba var. Tatarica. Teas' weeping mulberry is a
form of the Russian.
Pepperidge or gum-tree, Nyssa sylvatica* One of the oddest and most
picturesque of our native trees; especially attractive in winter;
foliage brilliant red in autumn; most suitable for low lands.
Iron-wood, hop hornbeam, Ostrya Virginica.* A good small tree, with
hop-like fruits.
Sourwood, sorrel-tree, Oxydendrum arboreum.* Interesting small tree
native from Pennsylvania in the high land south, and should be reliable
where it grows wild.
Plane or buttonwood, Platanus occidentalis*†‡ Young or
middle-aged trees are soft and pleasant in aspect, but they soon become
thin and ragged below; unique in winter.
European plane-tree, P. orientalis.† Much used for street planting,
but less picturesque than the American; several forms.
Aspen, Populus tremuloides,* Very valuable when well grown; too much
neglected (Fig. 33). Most of the poplars are suitable for pleasure
grounds, and as nurses for slower growing and more emphatic trees.
Large-toothed aspen, P. grandidentata.* Unique in summer color;
heavier in aspect than the above; old trees become ragged.
Weeping poplar, P. grandidentata, var. pendula. An odd, small tree,
suitable for small places, but, like all weeping trees, likely to be
planted too freely.
Cottonwood, P. deltoides (P. monilifera).* The staminate
specimens, only, should be planted if possible, as the cotton of the
seed-pods is disagreeable when carried by winds; var. aurea‡ is one
of the good golden-leaved trees.
Balm of Gilead, P. balsamifera* and var. candicans.* Desirable
for remote groups or belts. Foliage not pleasant in color.
Lombardy poplar, P. nigra, var. Italica.
Desirable for certain purposes, but used too indiscriminately,
it is likely to be short-lived in northern climates.
White poplar, abele, P. alba.
Sprouts badly; several forms.
Bolle's poplar, P. alba, var. Bolleana.
Habit much like the Lombardy; leaves curiously lobed, very white
beneath, making a pleasant contrast.
Certinensis poplar, P. laurifolia (P. Certinensis).
A very hardy Siberian species, much like P. deltoides, useful for
severe climates.
Wild black cherry, Prunus serotina.*
European bird cherry, Prunus Padus.
A small tree much like the choke cherry, but a freer grower, with larger
flowers, and racemes which appear about a week later.
Choke cherry, P. Virginiana.*
Very showy while in flower.
Purple plum, Prunus cerasifera, var. atropurpurea (var. Pissardi).
One of our most reliable purple-leaved trees.
Rose-bud cherry, P. pendula (P. subhirtella).
A tree of drooping habit and beautiful rose-pink flowers preceding the
leaves.
Japanese flowering cherry, P. Pseudo-Cerasus.
In many forms, the famous flowering cherries of Japan, but not reliable
North.
There are ornamental-flowered peaches and cherries, more curious and
interesting than useful.
Wild crab, Pyrus coronaria* and P. Iœnsis.*
Very showy while in flower, blooming after apple blossoms have fallen;
old specimens become picturesque in form. P. Iœnsis flore pleno‡
(Bechtel's Crab) is a handsome double form.
Siberian crab, P. baccata.‡ Excellent small tree, both in flower
and fruit.
Flowering crab, Pyrus floribunda. Pretty both in flower and fruit; a
large shrub or small tree; various forms.
Hall's crab, P. Halliana (P. Parkmani). One of the best of the
flowering crabs, particularly the double form. Various forms of
double-flowering apple are on the market.
Swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor.*† A desirable tree, usually
neglected; very picturesque in winter.
Bur oak, Q. macrocarpa.*†
Chestnut oak, Q. Prinus,*† and especially the closely related Q.
Muhlenbergii (or Q. acuminata).*†
White oak, Q. alba*†
Shingle oak, Q. imbricaria.*†
Scarlet oak, Q. coccinea.*† This and the next two are
glossy-leaved, and are desirable for bright planting.
Black oak, Q. velutina (Q. tinctoria).*†
Red oak, Q. rubra.*†‡
Pin oak, Q. palustris.*† Excellent for avenues; transplants well.
Willow oak, Q. Phellos*
English oak, Q. Robur. Many forms represented by two types, probably
good species, Q. pedunculata (with stalked acorns) and Q.
sessiliflora (with stalkless acorns). Some of the forms are reliable in
the Northern states.
The oaks are slow growers and usually transplant with difficulty.
Natural specimens are most valuable. A large well-grown oak is one of
the grandest of trees.
Locust, Robinia Pseudacacia.*† Attractive in flower; handsome as
single specimens when young; many forms; used also for hedges.
Peach-leaved willow, Salix amygdaloides.* Very handsome small tree,
deserving more attention. This and the next valuable in low places or
along water-courses.
Black willow, S. nigra.*
Weeping willow, S. Babylonica.
To be planted sparingly, preferably near water; the sort known as the
Wisconsin weeping willow appears to be much hardier than the common
type; many forms.
White willow, S. alba, and various varieties, one of which is the
Golden willow.
Tree willows are most valuable, as a rule, when used for temporary
plantations or as nurses for better trees.
Laurel-leaved willow, S. laurifolia‡
A small tree used in cold regions for shelter-belts; also a good
ornamental tree. See also under Shrubs.
Sassafras, Sassafras officinalis.*†
Suitable in the borders of groups or for single specimens; peculiar in
winter; too much neglected.