72 RECOKD OF HORTICULTURE. 



lists of sorts which have proved to be perfectly hardy 

 and reliable. We would advise those who want rhodo- 

 dendrons — and who does not ? — to examine the catalogues 

 of these nurserymen. There are so few nurserymen who 

 make a specialty of this class of plants, that we shall 

 take the liberty of naming two firms whose stock we have 

 lately examined, and think it worthy of a special notice. 

 We refer to Parsons & Co., Flushing, N. Y., and Hovey 

 & Co., Boston. 



Spircea callosa alha. — This is quite a distinct variety of 

 the old spiraea callosa. The flowers are pure white, and 

 the plant of a very dwarf habit. It blooms quite freely, 

 and is altogether a desirable hardy shrub. 



Weigela nivea. — This splendid weigela was introduced 

 into Europe several years ago from Japan, but it is com- 

 paratively new in this country. The plant is similar in 

 habit to the well-known weis^ela rosea. The leaves are 

 large and conspicuously veined, and of a light green color; 

 flowers, pure white, and produced in great abundance. A 

 beautiful shrub, and worthy of a place among the many 

 fine varieties of this species. 



Weigela Mlddendorffiana^ purpurea. — A new purple- 

 flowering variety of weigela Middendorfliana ; a robust, 

 hardy shrub, with handsome dark-green leaves and large 

 panicles of flowers, which are a purplish red, shading to 

 black at the base of the i:>etals. — Floral World, March, 

 1867. 



For other species and varieties of hardy ornamental 

 shrubs, see Record of Horticulture for 1867, Vol. I. 



