280 HARDY FLOWERING SHRUBS. 



ten feet. The flowers appear in July, are pea-shaped, and home 

 in clusters like the common Locust, hut have no perfume. We 

 believe it will thrive anywhere in Canada, the snow protecting 

 it on account of its dwarfness, in those parts where the winters 

 are severe. It has the fault of throwing up suckers from the 

 roots, in which way it propagates itself, hut its beauty fuUy 

 compensates for all its faults. 



EosE OP Sharon, or Althea. — Hibiscus Synacus. — These 

 shrubs bloom so late in the season, in August and September, 

 when no other shrubs are in flower, that they are very desirable. 

 They are not particular in their choice of soU, though they seem 

 to thrive best iu a deep loam. Sometimes the twigs sufi'er 

 during the winter, but when sheltered by neighboring evergreens 

 or covered beneath the snow, they pass safely. But in bleak 

 situations, especially where exposed to the sweep of wintry 

 winds, they will perish. There are numerous varieties, differing 

 only in their flowers. Some are single, and of various shades of 

 blue, purple, or red, or are white, or white with violet centre ; 

 others are double, and of similar colors. In form the flowers 

 resemble those of the Hollyhock. There is also a variety having 

 the foliage marked with light yellow, known as the Variegated- 

 leaved Althea ; its flowers are double, and of a purple color. 



Japan Quince. — Cydorda Japonica. — This shrub is one of 

 great beauty, and much more hardy than the Quince we grow for 

 fruit. So far as we are informed, it thrives weU in aU parts of 

 the Dominion, though we can speak positively of it only in 

 Nova Scotia, and in the vicinity of the lakes and Eiver St. 

 Lawrence. It is simply splendid when covered with its large, 

 showy blossoms, and the scarlet varieties look truly like a burn- 

 ing bush. It is in blossom early in spring, before the leaves are 

 fully formed, and when used as a garden hedge, presents a most 

 charming appearance. And even after the flowers are gone, the 

 neat, glossy green leaves have a very pleasing effect. The fruit 

 is not fit for use. It can be propagated from the seed, and in 

 this way new varieties are introduced, differing in the coloring 



