This can be controlled by careful pruning or by growing it against a wall or fence where it makes a splendid effect. More elegant in appearance is another hybrid, 'Cornish Snow', and especially the related cultivar 'Michael'. The slender arching or drooping branches of this 8 to ioft(2.5 to 3m) tall shrub bear small, slender-pointed, glossy green leaves and quantities of small white flowers, larger in 'Michael'. Like most others of its clan it does best in a site sheltered from strong wind and protected from the early morning sun. The cultivars of C. japonica are legion, but if only one was to be chosen perhaps it might be 'Adolph Audusson' whose bold appearance and vigorous, upright growth have stood it in good stead for many years. The large, semi-double flowers are composed of blood-red petals and a handsome boss of yellow-tipped stamens, all of which is shown off to perfection against the dark, polished, green leaves. Returning once more to the Ericaceae, consideration must be given to one or other of the Pieris species and cultivars which, on acid soils, have many qualities to commend them. P. japonica, in one or other of its named cultivars is fairly hardy and easy but if space allows of only one and the site chosen is sheltered from cold winds and frost, P. 'Forest Flame' is probably the best choice. The white, pitcher-shaped flowers are carried in substantial drooping clusters from the tips of the shoots, but this is only the beginning. With the opening of the flowers in May the brilliant red young growths appear, developing until long after the flowers have faded, during which time they have passed from red through pink to creamy-white and finally green. It is a large shrub-10 to i5ft(3 to 4.5m) eventually, but has few equals for spring foliage effect. Those who garden on chalk and are denied the pleasure of the last shrub may consider as a substitute Photiniaxfraseri 'Red Robin' or 'Robusta', both of which have attractive coppery-red young growths from spring through to midsummer. Both are evergreen and fast growing reaching 15 to 20ft (4.5 to 6m) or more in a suitable site. Their growths also appear less liable to damage by frost. Photinia glabra 'Rubens' has young foliage of a glistening red and is less vigorous, more compact in habit occasionally attaining ioft(3m) but usually much less. All these photinias produce flattened heads of small white flowers in spring, but not on young plants. If one has a penchant for shrubs with coloured young growths but only a small garden the dwarf coral maple, Acer palmatum 'Corallinum', may provide an answer. Its young leaves are a brilliant shrimp-pink and create a display for several weeks before changing to a mottled green in midsummer. It is not, however, a shrub for those in a hurry, being extremely slow in growth and compact in habit. An old specimen of 40 years or more may only have attained 3ft(im) in height which makes this shrub a good choice for the rock garden or raised bed.