OBSERVATIONS ON WEIGELA ROSEA. 303 



literally loaded with 'its fine rose-coloured flowers, which hung in 

 graceful bunches from the axils of the leaves and the ends of the 

 branches. The garden, which was an excellent specimen of the 

 peculiar style so much admired by the Chinese in the north, was often 

 visited by the officers of the regiments who were quartered at Tinghae, 

 and was generally called the Grotto, on account of the pretty rock- 

 work with which it was ornamented. Every one saw and admired 

 the beautiful Weigela, which was also a great favourite with the old 

 gentleman to whom the place belonged. I immediately marked it as 

 one of the finest plants of Northern China, and determined to send 

 plants of it home in every ship until I should hear of its safe ar- 

 rival. 



" All the gardens of the mandarins in the north of China 'are 

 small, and as there is only room for a few plants, these are always of 

 the most select and handsome description. Amongst my collections 

 are several other plants which are common in these gardens, all of 

 which are of great beauty and interest. Azaleas, Roses, Moutans, 

 Glycine sinensis alba, Viburnum s (more handsome than our common 

 Gueldres rose), and various other free-flowering shrubs, make these 

 gardens extremely gay, particularly during the spring and early 

 summer months. 



" Weigela rosea is unknown in the southern provinces of China, 

 and therefore I have every reason to suppose that it will prove hardy, 

 or nearly so, in England ; but, if not, it will make a first-rate green- 

 house plant, and will take its place by the side of the beautiful 

 Azaleas and Camellias of its own country. I never met with it 

 in a wild state on the Chinese hills, and it is therefore just possible 

 that it may have been originally introduced to China from Japan : 

 this, however, is only conjecture. In the north of China, where the 

 plant is found, the thermometer sometimes sinks within a few degrees 

 of zero, and the country is frecpiently covered with snow, and yet in 

 these circumstances it sustains no injury. 



" As this shrub has been liberally distributed amongst the Fellows 

 of the Horticultural Society, some remarks upon its habits and cul- 

 tivation will probably be acceptable. It forms a neat middle-sized 

 bush, not unlike a Philadeljthus in habit, deciduous in winter, and 

 flowers in the months of April and May. One great recommendation 



