Diervilla Weigela. 153 



at the base ; the van houttei, red and white, and the 

 striata, red and white in bands. What is known as the va- 

 riegated weigela, D. variegata, is a variety, some say, of 

 the rosea, and others of the amabilis. It is of smaller size 

 than either, and grows more compactly. The flowers are 

 bright pink and rose, appearing in May or early June. 

 The leaves are beautifully variegated, the margins' being 

 creamy-white, and, when well grown, sure to attract atten- 

 tion. As single well-rounded specimens on the lawn, few 

 plants are more attractive than this, and it is equally fitted 

 for massing or ornamental hedging. Though thought to 

 be not quite so hardy as some, it is sufficiently so for all 

 practical purposes, except in the most exposed situations. 

 The white-flowered weigela, hortensis nivea, has large, 

 pure-white blossoms which remain long on the branches. 

 The ovate leaves are also larger than most others. It 

 is not entirely hardy in exposed situations. There is a 

 variety whose flowers are deep red when partially ex- 

 panded, but afterward fade into white. 



D. floribunda has blossoms of rich, dark crimson, and 

 somewhat in the form of fuchsias. It comes to us 

 from Japan, and proves perfectly hardy. It blooms 

 abundantly in spring, and, if closely cut back, makes a 

 vigorous growth and puts forth a second harvest of flowers 

 in autumn. Its foliage is dark colored, and contrasts 

 finely with other sorts. It is known also as the 

 D. mul ti flora. 



D. arborea is larger than any of the preceding, and 

 easier grown into tree form. Its leaves are large, flowers 

 tube-shaped, much like some of the honeysuckles, mostly 



