DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 461 



Rochester, N. Y., twelve feet high and sixteen feet or more in di- 

 ameter, drooping on all sides to the ground with the weight of its 

 blossoms. This, however, is an unusual size. 



The lilac is usually propagated from suckers, which it produces 

 in great abundance, but better trees or shrubs can probably be pro- 

 duced by budding or grafting the best varieties upon seedling 

 plants. 



There are several varieties of the common and of the Persian 

 lilacs of distinct character. A few that are cordially recommended 

 will be named somewhat in the order of their size, beginning with 

 the largest. The list embraces but a selection from the large num- 

 ber of varieties on the nursery catalogues. 



The Common White Lilac, Syringa alba, is not surpassed by 

 any other white variety in size or beauty of foliage ; but as its 

 growth is upright, and it has a tendency to get bare of leaves at the 

 bottom, we recommend that it be generally cultivated in tree-form. 

 Flowers white, beginning to end of May. Height twelve to twenty 

 feet. 



The Giant Lilac. S. gigantea. — A very rank upright grower, 

 with the largest leaves and spikes of flowers of any of the species. 

 It blooms in May. Flowers a dark reddish purple, in spikes from 

 nine to twelve inches long, and eight inches broad. Its leaves re- 

 tain a pure color later in autumn than the other lilacs. Height 

 twelve to twenty feet. 



Charles Xth. S. carola. — One of the best to grow in tree- 

 form. The foliage and blossoms are both darker colored and 

 larger than that of the common lilac, S. vulgaris, and the growth a 

 little coarser. Height ten to fifteen feet. 



Emodi Lilac. S. emodi. — A Himalayan variety. Foliage 

 large, and among the most glossy of the lilacs. The leaves are 

 more pointed than any other variety. Habit erect, but not so stifif 

 as many others, and good for a tree-form. Flowers the darkest 

 purple, lavender-scented, and very fragrant. Height ten to twelve 

 feet. There are good specimens of this in the New York Central 

 Park. 



The S. ccerulea supcrba is a fine blue-flowered variety, originated 

 by Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, N. Y. 



