Both are shrubs for the large garden and they are especially effective in the heather garden. Alternatively, they are superb lawn specimens. For late summer flowering the cultivars of Hibiscus syriacus take a lot of beating. These are large, angular shrubs eventually and are long-lived in the right place. They are surprisingly cold-hardy and easy so long as the requirements of sun and good drainage are provided, and, once established, supply a succession of large, trumpet-shaped flowers from late summer into autumn. Of the many cultivars 'Bluebird', 'Woodbridge' and 'Diana' are the most desirable for their single blue, rose-pink and white flowers respectively. These shrubs are very late in leafing and impatient, inexperienced gardeners have been known to dig them up and throw them away in the mistaken idea that they had been killed by the winter. Two shrubs which are not planted as much as their ornamental merit deserves are Eucryphia glutinosa and Hydrangea heteromalla 'Bretschneideri'. The first of these is large, up to 15(4.5m) or even a small tree to 25(7.6m) if allowed. Its attractive pinnate, dark, shining green leaves provide beautiful tints of orange and red in autumn while, in July and August, its branches are crowded with single, rose-like white flowers with yellow anthers. Although requiring an acid soil this is a most delightful and aristocratic shrub, well worth its place where space and soil conditions permit. It should be planted when small, preferably in a position sheltered from strong winds. The hydrangea is one of several which deserve a place in gardens. The lavender-blue flowered H. villosa and the lavender and white flowered H. aspera are two strong candidates for garden space but the merits of H. heteromalla 'Bretschneideri' are its erect stately habit to ioft(3m), bold foliage and flaking purple-brown papery bark. Best of all, however, are its large, flattened lacecap heads of white flowers in July. Autumn Although many shrubs continue to flower in autumn there are several which only flower at this season. Principal among these is Mahoniax media and its several named cultivars. All are evergreens of stately appearance, erect-stemmed eventually to loftljm) high (taller in ideal conditions) and carrying their long, pinnate leaves in bold rosettes towards the ends of the branches. The long racemes of yellow, slightly scented flowers appear in loose terminal clusters in November and continue for many weeks.Cultivars include 'Charity', 'Buckland', 'Lionel Fortescue', 'Underway' and 'Winter Sun'. All are hardy, robust shrubs with splendid dark, shining foliage eminently suitable for woodland, border or as lawn specimens. Another autumn-flowering evergreen is Fatsia japonica. Although botanic-ally related to the ivy it seems to deny the connection with its bold glossy leaves carried on long stalks and its conspicuous terminal panicles of creamy-white flower heads. It is worth growing for its foliage alone and is one of the best shrubs for creating a subtropical effect in a British garden.