Hydrangea Japonica. 



12' 



treasures of other countries, few, if any, have achieved greater 

 results than that of Dr. Siebold, to Japan. For several years 

 the choicest new plants which have, from time to time, been 

 introduced to notice, have formed part of the gems which 

 enriched his magnificent collection. 



The Japan Lilies are perhaps the best known, as they arc 

 certainly the most gorgeous of his acquisitions. Hydrangea 

 japonica, {jig. 14) the subject of our notice, though of less pre- 

 tensions, is another fine plant ; and we have just seen an- 

 nounced a most beautiful hardy spiraea, with flowers as white 

 as snow and as double as the ranunculus, clothing the stems 

 their entire length, which was brought home by this indefat- 

 igable traveller. 



Hydrangea japonica, when it first flowered, was thought to 

 possess less beauty than the old and familiar H. hortensis : 



Fig. 14. Hydrangea Japonica. 



but the plants were young, and Quly produced inferior flowers ; 

 since the specimens have become older, and been grown with 

 a view to show its elegance, it is acknowledged to far surpass 

 the hortensis. A specimen from the garden of the London 

 Horticultural Society was exhibited in IS-IS, from which our 

 drav.'-ing is copied, and greatly admired ; but, the last season. 



