HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 265 



which all bear white flowers, those of the last men- 

 tioned being double. 



STAPHYLEA (Bladder Nut). 5. colchica is most 

 used for forcing, and is a charming shrub for the 

 purpose. It quickly responds to heat and moisture. 

 Brought on in a gentle greenhouse temperature, it 

 gives a wealth of drooping clusters of white fragrant 

 flowers. Keep the shrubs in pots, as the buds are pro- 

 duced more freely than when planting out is done, 

 and after the flowers are over prune hard back. 



SYRINGA (Lilac). The Lilac is one of the most 

 popular of shrubs for forcing, and may be had in 

 bloom by Christmas or soon after, its flowers being 

 welcome from then until they appear out of doors. 

 Thousands of plants for flowering under glass are 

 sent to this country from Holland every year, the 

 neat bushes, about 2 feet high, having been grown 

 in pots 7 or 8 inches across and plunged in the 

 open ground. This treatment results in close and 

 compact balls of soil, which, when turned out of the 

 pots, retain their shape and bear the journey well. 

 These plants are pruned hard back after flowering 

 to keep them dwarf. Lilacs that have been frequently 

 moved may be lifted and flowered without risk. Most 

 of those sent from Holland consist of the white- 

 flowered variety, Marie Legrange, but the dark-coloured 

 Charles X. is also grown. The many double-flowered 

 Lilacs are not so popular as the singles. Although 

 it has been mentioned that considerable quantities 

 of plants are received from Holland, excellent dwarf 

 specimens may be obtained here by plunging out. 



