Hydrangea. 39 



are numerous varieties of H. hortensia which are worthy 

 of special notice, and some of which are largely in use. 

 Among these is the well-known H. otaksa, with opposite, 

 deeply serrated leaves and beautiful rose- or flesh-colored 

 flowers. It is held to be one of the best forms of the 

 whole group. The Thomas Hogg has pure white blos- 

 soms, very large and compact and very showy for a long 

 time, and is one of the very best. H. asizia has varie- 

 gated foliage, which lends variety in grouping, but supplies 

 no additional flower charms. H. Empress Eiigenie has 

 good foliage and very large corymbs of blue and pale rose- 

 colored flowers, and should not be overlooked. H. rosalba 

 has its blossoms in smaller heads, but they usually cover 

 the whole bush. They are white and pale rose, coming 

 to perfection in advance of most of the others. 



H. ramulis coccineis, known as the red-stemmed hy- 

 drangea, proves a very valuable acquisition, as it produces 

 large trusses of well-formed blossoms, rich pink or deep 

 rose in color, and in great profusion. It is comparatively 

 new, having originated in western New York within a few 

 years. H. rosea is much the same as Thomas Hogg, ex- 

 cept that its blossoms are red instead of white. Alba 

 variegata and speciosa are forms with silvery-white marks 

 on the foliage, especially in early spring, when the effect 

 is very striking. 



H. vestita, v&r.ptibescens. This is one of the most hardy 

 forms, and is not so well known as it should be. It is 

 a native of northern China and perhaps other Asiatic 

 countries of that latitude. It is but little known in Amer- 

 ican or English gardens, and is described as a shrub four 



