A NOTICE OP THE DOtTBLE JAPAN SPIREA, 



BY JAMES WJLSOX, AlJlAW. 



Dear Sir — Have you seen the new Spirea 

 ■pruwfclia pleno in flower? It is truly a 

 beautiful plant. When the engraving of it 

 appeared in the Horticulturist, I had my 

 doubts about its equalling that account and 

 representation. I have it now in flower in 

 my green-house, and am quite delighted 

 with it. Indeed, I think it surpasses, in 

 beauty and appearance, the engraving. It 

 has a more light and airy appearance ; and 

 if it should not prove hardy with us, here 

 at the north, I know no plant, except the 

 Camellia, that seems better adapted for the 

 green-house. Its culture and propagation 

 being of the easiest description. 



The plants I now have in flower, are 

 small ; having been propagated from a 

 plant I purchased of Mr. Boll, of New- 

 York, which was imported by him last 

 winter. Striking as is the beauty of these 

 small plants, what must it be upon a fine 

 old established plant ? The flowers are 

 pure white, and very double, as far as dis- 

 played on my plants, ♦They grow in clus- 

 ters of from three to fl.ve ; and in no in- 

 stance can I discover more than five, which 

 may be owing to my plants being young 

 and not well established, as you say they 

 grow by threes or sixes. Many of mine 

 have only four, some two ; but in most 

 cases, when there are only two, I find one 

 abortive. 



This charming shrub needs only to be 

 seen, to be admired. No lover of flowers 

 ought to be without it. If hardy, as I think 

 it will be, even in this latitude, it will sur- 

 pass in appearance, in my opinion, that 

 beautiful old favorite, the Double Flowering 

 Almond. Jas. Wilson. 



AU/anyy January 9, 1849. 



Fip:. 43. — The Double Japan Spirea. 



Remarks, — We are glad to hear of the 

 first blooming of this most exquisite little 

 shrub in this country. There is scarcely a 

 doubt that it will prove perfectly hardy in 

 the open shrubbery ; and of that point we, 

 and others who have plants established out 

 of doors, will be able to judge when the 

 spring opens. It blooms so freely indoors, 

 and forces so well, that its delicate snowy 



