SPIRAEA. 297 



numerous small white flowers in long garlands, upon the deli- 

 cate curving branches of the plant. The bush, when in flower, 

 has the appearance of being covered with a light fall of snow. 

 The foliage is elegant; it is in flower in May and June; 

 grows about four feet high ; the extremities of the branches are 

 sometimes winter-killed ; easily propagated by suckers, divis- 

 ions of the root, or by layers, as all the species are. 



Spircea opulifolia. Nine-Bark Spiraea. " An ornamental 

 native shrub, found from Canada to Georgia ; from five to 

 seven feet high, distinguished for the abundance of its showy 

 heads of flowers, and for its conspicuous fruit. The stem is 

 rugged, with loose, gray bark, easily detached, and falling off. 

 Flowers in hemispherical heads, on a short stalk, each flower 

 on a slender, downy thread ; white, with a rose tinge." 



Spircea salidfolia. The Queen of the Meadows. This is 

 a very pretty shrub, from two to four, and sometimes six, 

 feet high, with terminal heads of neat white, sometimes rose- 

 tinted flowers, in. June and July. 



Spircea tomentosa. Steeple Bush, Hardback. This is 

 a very common, leafy shrub, from two to five feet high, growing 

 in wet ground, and distinguished in the flowering season for its 

 long, tapering spire of purple flowers. A few years since we 

 ordered all the handsome Spiraeas from England, excluding all 

 that we possessed. When they came into flower, we found 

 among them, this old, familiar country friend. It is, how- 

 ever, handsome when cultivated and pruned of the previous 

 year's stem, which disfigures it very much, when growing in the 

 pastures. 



" This plant has very valuable astringent qualities, and is 

 employed as a tonic in dysentery, and other disorders of the 

 system." 



Spircea prunifolia plena. Double Prune-leaved Spiraea. 

 This is one of the most desirable species or varieties of the 

 Spiraea, and is perfectly hardy. The following account is from 

 the Gardener's Chronicle. " This charming shrub was intro- 

 duced into Europe by Dr. Siebold, to whom our collections are 



