240 HARDY SHRUBS. 



C. Maulei is a much dwarfer species, with reddish flowers produced 

 in great abundance. C. M. superba has the flowers of a deeper shade of 

 red. C. M. tricolor has the leaves variegated with pink and white. 



DAPHNE CNEORUM. A hardy dwarf evergreen trailing shrub growing 

 not more than a foot high. It flowers in April and May; the color is 

 dull pink. It makes a neat symmetrical plant, with very sweet-scented 

 flowers. It is rather slow to increase from cuttings. The best method 

 of propagation is to layer the trailing branches in Spring, making an in- 

 cision, or tongue, in the under part of the stem. Have the cut part at 

 least 2 inches under the soil; secure with wooden pegs; press the soil 

 firmly over it, and cover with sphagnum to insure moisture. Leave 

 until the following Spring before separating from the parent plant. D. 

 Blagayana is also a desirable hardy trailing species, not so well known 

 as the above. D. Mezereum, a hardy deciduous species, is sometimes 

 used for forcing, more on account of the fragrant flowers than for their 

 appearance. It is raised from seed, and its forms grafted on seedlings of 

 the type. D. odora, D. o. marginata and D. o. alba make very satisfac- 

 tory growth in sheltered positions out-of-doors here, but it may be 

 stated that the plants were imported direct from Japan. I have tried 

 greenhouse-grown plants in similar situations with unfavorable results. 

 D. pontica and D.laureolaare perfectly hardy here, but they do best with 

 partial shade in Summer. The last named is scentless. 



DEUTZIA SCABRA. A very free growing and handsome flowered 

 shrub from China and Japan. It blooms according to locality in May 

 and June. In Washington it reaches a height of 8 feet. It blooms on 

 short growths made on the previous season's wood. D. s. crenata is a 

 form with smoother leaves than the type. There are several other 

 varieties with double flowers more or less tinged with rose. D. c. Pride 

 of Rochester has the flowers large and double white. In the Northern 

 States they should be planted in protected situations. It is among the 

 easiest shrubs to propagate. The cuttings are taken after the leaves 

 fall from the current year's growths; they should be tied in bunches and 

 heeled in moss in a cold frame. In early Spring they are put in boxes of 

 sand, with a little soil at the bottom, and kept in a greenhouse. When 

 rooted they are hardened off and planted out in rows, where they will 

 make fair-sized plants before the growing season is over. These plants 

 make splendid growth in tubs, and are easily forced into bloom for the 

 decoration of large conservatories. D. gracilis has never been known to 

 suffer from cold weather in this latitude, and it is said to stand the Win- 

 ter, when in sheltered positions, in the Northern States. As it blooms 

 on short growths made on the wood of the previous season, the plant 

 would be of no service where its branches are apt to get winter-killed. 

 It is one of the grandest of our dwarf flowering shrubs, blooming in 

 Washington from thefirstto the middle of May, and growing from 2 to 3 

 feet high. It is well suited for planting in cemeteries. For forcing into 

 bloom, it is an easy subject. The plants may be lifted from the open 

 ground as late as the weather will permit. They lift with a mass of fine 

 fibrous roots, arid should be potted before getting a chance to dry. 

 Place them in a deep frame till wanted; put them in heat very gradually 



