XXXII 

 THE HYDRANGEAS 



Hydrangea hortensis . . . Common Hydrangea, or Chinese 



Guelder Rose 



Bretschneideri . . Bretschneider's Hydrangea 

 paniculata : . . The Plumed Hydrangea - 

 petiolans 

 quercifoha . . . The Oak-leaved Hydrangea 



" 1| "\EW flowers ever excited greater interest than the 

 ""^ Hydrangea produced on its first introduction 

 *- into Europe, nor do we remember one instance of 

 any tender plant having become common in so short a 

 period," was the verdict of 1829 ; and the truth of this re- 

 mark is evident from the fact that only a decade after its 

 introduction here in 1789, it was declared to be " so com- 

 mon that no description of it is necessary." It was 

 brought to this country from China, and given to Kew 

 by Sir Joseph Banks, but the credit for sole sponsorship 

 of the plant is disputed, as a Mr. Slater is also said to 

 have introduced it about the same time, and certainly 

 to have been the first to get it to flower in Great Britain. 

 Anyway, it was a happy hit for the florists, and the 

 Parisian gardener who imported the first plants from Eng- 

 land into France, is said to have made his fortune from 



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