236 FLOWER GARDENING 



are extremely interesting, though the task will be 

 found a very difficult one in the northeastern part 

 of the United States excepting in the first two 

 instances. 



Shrubs, too, are hobby subjects. The lilac 

 (Syringa), of which there are several species and a 

 great many varieties, is one of the best of them. 

 The rhododendron and azalea are quite as good in 

 their showier way. Permanence of investment con- 

 sidered, none of these can be called an extravagant 

 hobby. The viburnum forms an interesting group 

 of considerable size; so do the barberry (Herberts), 

 the dogwood (Cornus), the hawthorn Cratagus), 

 the St. John's wort (Hypericum), the honeysuckle 

 (Lonicera) , the mock orange (Philadelphus) , the 

 bramble (Rubus), the spirea, the elder (Sam- 

 bucus), the sumac (Rhus) and the currant 

 (Ribes). 



A few of the annuals are to be had in various 

 species, though this point is generally overlooked 

 by the grower of flowers. Half a dozen species of 

 annual chrysanthemum are on the market and as 

 many of candytuft (Iberis) and centaurea. The 

 great annual for specializing is the sweet pea. Too 

 many think the sweet pea (Lathyrus) easy. Indif- 

 ferent blooms, it is true, are not very hard to bring 

 into the garden; but immense ones of marvelous 

 form and growing on plants exceeding eight feet in 

 height are only to be had as the result of cultural 

 skill. Any one who grows even a dozen of the best 

 named varieties of a choice strain will find that he 



