I04 



The Canadian Horhculturist. 



THE DIERVILLAS, OR WEIGELAS. 



P^HE Diervillas, or Weigelas, are shrubs of erect habit when youngs 

 (^ but gradually become spreading and drooping as they acquire age. 

 They attain a height of from four to six feet and as much in 

 breadth. The funnel shaped flowers are produced in the greatest 

 KJl^^J^m P'^f'Jsion during the months of May and June, the precise time 

 ' v^— — '^.^c' depending on the season as well as the situation in which the 



SK.'(^^ plants are growing. The individual flowers are quite large and of 

 ^v all intermediate shades and colors, from dark crimson to pure 

 V.y white. The leaves are oblong, ovate, acuminate in shape, and, 

 with the exception of a few varieties, of a bright green color. 



All of the species and varieties are exceedingly ornamental, and many of 

 them should be found in collections of ornamental shrubbery, as they are admir- 

 ably adapted for single specimens on the lawn, as well as for grouping or massing 

 with other shrubbery. 



As the Diervillas are perfectly hardy and of vigorous growth, they will do 

 well in any soil or situation, but to enable them to do their best should be given 

 one that is deep and moderately enriched. While the shrubs are small, grass 

 or weeds should not be permitted to grow around or near them, and occasional 

 top dressings of good stable manure will be decidedly beneficial. This should 

 be applied in fall. The Diervillas produce their flowers on the wood of the 

 preceding year's growth, so they should not be pruned until the flowering season 

 is over, when the old wood may be shortened to promote the growth of the new 

 which is to bloom the following season, but the branches should be reduced 



only enough to keep the shrubs in good 

 shape, as it is very desirable to preserve 

 the natural habit of growth as far as 

 possible. 



Propagation is readily effected by cut- 

 tings, which will grow if taken off in the 

 autumn and planted in a nicely prepared 

 border. As good specimens can be pro- 

 cured at very moderate prices, I know 

 of no reason why they should not be more 

 rapidly disseminated among our amateur 

 cultivators. 



There is in cultivation a considerable 



number of varieties, from which I h^ve 



selected the following as the most desir- 



OR Weigela able, although a dozen others could be 



added, and very justly, too : 



Fig. 



''739. — DiERVILLA 



Rosea. 



