HETEROMELES HIBISCUS 619 



Sargent states that the fruit-covered branches are gathered in large 

 quantities in California, and used as we use holly for Christmas 

 decorations. It may be grown on a wall, but is, of course, at its best 

 in the open where the climate is suitable. It is the only species of the 

 genus, and is very closely allied to Photinia, but differs in having only 

 ten stamens to each flower. 



HIBISCUS SYRIACUS, Linnceus. MALVACEAE. 



(Bot. Mag., t. 83 ; Althaea frutex, Hort?) 



A deciduous shrub, with rather erect branches but bushy habit, up 

 to 10 ft. high. Leaves variable in size, ordinarily from 2 to 4 ins. long, 

 with stalks \ to i in. long ; of ovate outline, more or less distinctly three- 

 lobed and coarsely toothed, smooth except for an occasional bristle on 

 the veins. Flowers produced singly on short stalks from the leaf-axils 

 towards the end of the branch: Each flower is from 2 J to 4 ins. across, 

 with five free petals forming a trumpet mouth. The colour is exceedingly 

 variable in the numerous forms of this shrub, some being white, others 

 red, blue, purple, or striped ; whilst others again have double or semi- 

 double flowers. Commences to bloom in August. 



The date of the introduction of this shrub to Britain is not known, 

 but as it was included by Gerard among the garden shrubs of his time, 

 it has been cultivated here for more than 310 years. In early times it 

 was known as the "Syrian Ketmie," and in the specific name Linnaeus 

 suggested that it was from Syria, but it has never been found truly wild 

 except in India and China. In Syria, as in more western countries, it 

 exists as a cultivated plant only. It is perfectly hardy in most parts of 

 Britain, but owing to its late-flowering habit, it is often necessary in the 

 north to treat it as a wall plant in order that its flowers may develop 

 under more favourable conditions. In the south, where the cold rains 

 do not come so early, it can be grown quite in the open, and there is no 

 shrub more beautiful during September, especially if that month be hot 

 and sunny. In selecting a place for it, shady and ill-drained spots should 

 be avoided. Any soil of moderate or good quality suits it. It can be 

 propagated by cuttings or by layers, and rare sorts may be grafted on 

 common ones. Plants growing too large for their places may be pruned 

 back in early April. One of the common features of the gardens at 

 Versailles are large bushes of this Hibiscus, cut hard back annually into 

 formal shape. Both in France and in Italy it flowers with greater pro- 

 fusion and regularity than under our uncertain skies. There is a tree 

 in the Padua Botanic Gardens 20 ft. high. A great number of varieties 

 have been raised and named, and the following list must only be regarded 

 as a selection of a representative few of approved merit. On the whole, 

 single-flowered ones are to be preferred. 



Admiral Dewey. Pure white ; double. 



Caelefte. Purplish blue ; single. 



Grandiflorus superbus. Rosy ; single. 



Hamabo. Pale blush, with a large crimson blotch at the base of each petal ; single, 



one of the best. (The plant cultivated under this name is not the H. Hamabo 



of Siebold, Flora Japonica, t. 93.) 



