SAXIFRAGACE.E SAXIFRAGE FAMILY 



THE DEUTZIAS 



No Deutzia is found native within the borders of the 

 United States ; the plants are principally Asiatic ; of 

 the sixteen species now known, one is found in Mexico, 

 all the others in Asia. Their pretty name was given 

 them by Thunberg in honor of his friend and patron 

 Johann Van der Deutz. Nearly all are hardy shrubs, 

 with rough bark, axillary flowers borne in racemes or 

 corymbs, the leaves mostly ovate, acuminate, serrate, 

 and more or less rough. Though hardy, some of 

 them are easily forced under glass, by which means 

 they are made to produce beautiful flowers at any 

 time of the year, and in great abundance. 



Deutzia gracilis, Bridal Wreath, is one of the small- 

 est of the genus and possibly the best known. It is 

 a low growing shrub, fairly burdened in May with 

 masses of the most lovely, pure white flowers. One 

 minor characteristic adds to their beauty, the yellow 

 stamens are borne upon white filaments. Gardeners 

 highly prize this species, as it can be easily forced, 

 and this little white bush is always one of the attrac- 

 tive objects among Easter decorations. 



Deutzia scabra has long been in cultivation and from 

 it several favorite varieties have been produced. The 



217 



