362 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 
& 1. H. syri‘acus L. The Syrian Hibiscus, or Althea Frutex. 
Identification. Lin. Sp., 978. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 448. ; Don’s Mill. 1. 478. , 
Synonymes. Ketmie des Jardins, Fr.; Syrischer Eibisch, Ger. A 
Derivation. Itiscalled Althzea from the resemblance of its flowers to those of the Althz'a rdsea. — 
Engravings. Cav. Diss., 3. t. 69.f. 1.; Bot. Mag., t. 83.; and our jig. 88. 
Spec. Char.,§c. Stem unarmed, arboreous. Leaves ovate, 
wedge-shaped, 3-lobed, toothed. Pedicels hardly longer 
than the leaves. Involucel 6—7-leaved. (Don’s Mill.,i. 
p. 478.) A deciduous shrub, a native of Syria and 
Carniola, where it attains the height of 6 ft., and flowers 
in August and September. The flowers are large, single 
or double, purple, white, red, or variegated. It is one 
of our most ornamental hardy shrubs ; and, having been 
in cultivation since 1596, the following varieties have 
proceeded from it : — 
2H. s. 2 foliis variegatis, the variegated-leaved Syrian 
Hibiscus, or Althzea Frutex. 
2 H. s. 3 flore variegato, the variegated-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, or Althzea 
Frutex. 
@ H. s. 4 flore purpireo, the purple-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, or Althea 
Frutex. 
w H. s. 5 flore purpireo pléno, the purple-double-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, 
or Althza Frutex. 
& H. s. 6 flore ribro, the red-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, or Althea Frutex. 
2% H. s. 7 flore dlbo, the white-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, or Althaea Frutex. 
w H. s. 8 flore dlbo pléno, the white-double-flowered Syrian Hibiscus, or 
Althea Frutex. ; 
Description, History, §c. A deciduous shrub, from 6 ft. to 8 ft. in height, 
with numerous upright white-barked branches ; their general character being 
rather fastigiate than spreading. The leaves are variously lobed. The 
flowers are axillary, large, and bell-shaped. In English gardens, these 
flowers are produced from the middle-of August to the end of September ; 
and, when the season is dry and warm, they are succeeded by capsules con- 
taining ripe seeds. It is a native of Syria and Carniola, and was introduced 
into England previously to 1629 ; being mentioned by Parkinson, in his Para- 
disus of that date, as a new shrub, somewhat tender, requiring to be kept in 
a large pot or tub in the house, or in a warm cellar. In the neighbourhood 
of Paris, it has been known for upwards of two centuries; and it is found 
there, as well as about London, to be perfectly hardy. At Berlin and Vienna, 
in severe winters, it requires protection. In thetime of Du Hamel, and of 
Miller, there were no double-flowered varieties; but these have since been 
rocured from seeds. Double-flowered varieties are now common both in 
hee and America. The only use to which the shrub is applied is as a 
garden ornament, of which it is one of the most conspicuous ; and it is the 
more valuable, because it produces its flowers at a time of the year when 
few shrubs are in bloom. It forms beautiful garden hedges, more especially 
when the different sorts are planted in a harmonious order of succession, 
according to their colours; and when the plants are not clipped, but care- 
fully pruned with the knife. In the colder parts of Britain, and in the 
north of Germany, few ornamental shrubs better deserve being planted 
against a wall. It will grow in almost any soil not too wet; but, like all 
the Malvicez, seems to prefer one sandy, deep, and rich rather than 
poor. An open airy situation, where it will ripen its wood, is essential. 
The single-flowered varieties are propagated by seed, which come up true 
to their respective colours; the double-flowered varieties are propagated 
by layers, by grafting on the common sorts, and sometimes by cuttings of 
‘the ripened wood, planted in sand in autumn, and covered with a hand- 
glass during the winter. Price, in the London nurseries: seedlings, 5s. a 
hundred; the different single-flowered varieties, 50s. a hundred; and the va- 
