The Spiraeas 



tration of myriads of blossoms. But each flower, small 

 though it is, is of the daintiest type the type of the rose, 

 for the Spiraea is of the Rose family ; the flower-stalk ends 

 in a cup, embraced by five tiny sepals whose tips project 

 beyond the margin. Five fragile white petals, each 

 distinct from its neighbours, stand on the outside of the 

 cup's brim, and so does a ring of stamens next within 

 them. The brim curves inwards, and on the inner edge 

 is a ring of yellow honey tissue half concealed. At the 

 bottom of the cup, like eggs in a nest, lie five rounded 

 bodies five seed-cases each containing twenty or more 

 seeds, and each surmounted by a white column. A haw- 

 thorn-like smell lingers round the blossom and attracts 

 chiefly flies and ants, though many insects find their way 

 to the Spiraeas ; and since the seed-case columns are 

 ready to receive fertilisation before their own stamens 

 open, there is necessarily a considerable chance of cross- 

 fertilisation being brought about. 



The flowers fall with May, and the shrub sinks into 

 the general greenness of the garden, to stand out vividly 

 again in the chilliness of autumn ; for then the little 

 single leaves change their vivid green for a brilliant 

 crimson hue, and for a second time add a note of gaiety 

 to the garden. This characteristic is specially noticeable 

 in the parent, S. Thunbergi. It is also a great feature 

 in another desirable Spiraea, viz. : 



2. Spircea prunifolia, where, the leaves being larger 



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