120 THE GARDENER. [March 



ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS 



HIBISCUS SYRIACUS (THE SYRIAN HIBISCUS). 



This is one of a large and very varied genus, consisting of evergreen 

 and deciduous trees and shrubs, along with a considerable number of 

 herbaceous plants and annuals. The various species are found dis- 

 tributed over the tropical and temperate regions of both the old and 

 new worlds. All the sorts have handsome foliage and showy flowers, 

 and some, such as the grand H. roseus sinensis with its fine varieties, 

 with single and double flowers, are among the most valued ornaments 

 of our stoves and greenhouses. With the exception, however, of the 

 one which forms the subject of this paper, the ligneous species are 

 too tender for our climate in the open air. As its specific name implies, 

 it is indigenous to Syria, but it is also found more or less abun- 

 dantly in several of the surrounding countries, growing in high moun- 

 tain valleys, and forming an amply branched bush with a somewhat 

 upright habit of growth, of from 8 to 10 feet in height. It was 

 formerly associated with the Hollyhocks and Mallows in the genus 

 Althcea, and is still known under the name of Althcea frutex or 

 " Shrubby Hollyhock." It has been cultivated in British gardens 

 since 1596. The leaves are of a light-green tint, ovate in outline, 

 serrated, and distinctly three-lobed. The pretty bell-shaped purple 

 flowers are borne on long footstalks from the sides of the young 

 branches, and begin to expand early in September. 



The Syrian Hibiscus, though now little known, and comparatively 

 seldom met with, is one of the finest of our hardy deciduous flowering 

 shrubs, of free growth in any rich deep soil, and hardy enough for 

 the open shrubbery border. It is found, however, to flower best 

 when enjoying the protection of a sunny wall, a position for which 

 it is well adapted, notwithstanding the absence of foliage in winter, 

 a defect to some extent compensated for by its rich autumnal beauty, 

 while its smooth whitish bark forms quite a feature after the decay 

 of the leaves. 



It is found to grow well in the smoke and dust of towns, and 

 might with advantage be introduced into our squares and parks 

 much more extensively than it has been hitherto. 



Of a large number of varieties, the following are the most attrac- 

 tive : they are all equally hardy with the parent, and in some cases 

 more beautiful, so far as flowers are concerned. 



Var. alba — flowers pure white. 



,, ardens — bright violet. 



,, azurea plena — double blue. 



,, ccerulea plena — double dark blue. 



