DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 463 



The Rothmagensis Lilac. S. roih?nagensis. — This is probably 

 the finest of all the lilacs. It is a cross between the S. vulgaris and 

 S. persica, originated in Rouen, France, more than seventy years 

 ago. In leaves, flowers, and graceful habit, it most resembles its 

 Persian parent, but is more robust ; and in the size of its panicles 

 of flowers exceeds any of its relatives. These sometimes grow 

 from ten to sixteen inches long, and bend the branches to the 

 ground with their abundance. They are a little later than those of 

 the common lilac. May and beginning of June. 



In making a collection of six lilacs only, in addition to the 

 common purple, the following might be selected : S. alba, S. emodi, 

 S. carulea superba, S.josikea, S. rothmagetisis, and S. per ska alba. 



THE HONEYSUCKLE. Lonkera. 



The honeysuckle family is divided into 

 two classes, viz : those of a twining character, ^"^- '^S- 



or vines, and those of a shrubby character. 

 The latter are here referred to. Fig. 158 

 gives the characteristic form of a well grown ^t " 

 honeysuckle bush from six to eight feet high .^ . ^ 

 and broad. Some varieties spread more in ^p'^^'^' 

 proportion to their height ; all are noted for 

 the small size and delicacy of their leaves, which cover the branches 

 profusely. Their flowers are small, but very pretty and abundant. 



The Red Tartarian Honeysuckle, L. tartarka. — Old and 

 common, it still takes a front rank among ornamental shrubs ; and 

 were we to have but one shrub, or but one species of shrub, we 

 would probably choose the honeysuckle. No shrub is earlier in 

 leaf, and the delicacy of its foliage, its pure color, and graceful 

 luxuriance of growth, would, without the flowers, make this species 

 one of the most desirable ; but with its delicate, perfumed, pink 

 bloom in May, it becomes altogether a perfect shrub. When young 

 its form is rather fastigiate, but in a few years it begins to spread 

 outward, and at maturity, in rich open ground, it becomes a superb 

 spreading mass, much broader than its height, with branches bend- 



