THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 39 



little study of the plants found in the Arboretum collection as they 

 come into bloom. You will find that some of the least well known 

 are among the best. 



An unusually good specimen of the climbing Hydrangea, Hy- 

 drangea petiolaris, is to be found growing on the brick wall of the 

 Administration Building, to which it clings as firmly as Ivy. This 

 is also a Japanese plant, and the only climbing vine with conspicu- 

 ous flowers which can be grown on a wall without artificial support 

 in the. Northern States. It can also be used to climb up the trunks 

 of trees, and individuals seventy or eighty feet high are not un- 

 common. Its value as a wall covering is increased by the early 

 appearance of dark green leaves, which are nearly full grown before 

 there is a sign of a leaf on any of the Virginia Creepers. 



]\Iagnolias are among the showiest of flowers, and several 

 varieties have been planted around the Administration Building. 

 Magnolia viacrophyUa is one of the most interesting species. It 

 has the largest leaves and the largest flowers of any tree which grows 

 outside of the tropics. The leaves are over thirty inches long, and 

 eight inches wide, while blossoms a foot in diameter are not un- 

 usual. These flowers are creamy white, fragrant, and with a very 

 deep cup. They may be called without exaggeration nature's 

 lodging houses for the rose bugs. I have tipped up one of these 

 blossoms and had scores of these insects come tumbling out. 

 Professor Sargent says that planting this Magnolia in the garden 

 is a good way to trap the rose bugs to keep them away from the 

 Roses. 



Of course it is impossible to duplicate at the Arnold Arboretum 

 anything like the wonderful Cherry blossom shows which have long 

 been a feature of Japanese life. Nevertheless, the display along 

 the drive leading from the Forest Hills entrance is worth while 

 going a long distance to see. It is passing strange that more use 

 is not made of these ornamental flowering trees in home gardens. 

 The Prunus subhirtclla, has perhaps the most beautiful flowers of all 

 the Cherries. It blooms profusely every year, and holds its blos- 

 soms much longer than any other single-flowered Cherry. Un- 

 fortunately, it cannot be multiplied by seed, as the seed produces 

 an entirely different plant. The only way to propagate Pruniis 

 subhirteUa is by grafting or by cuttings. 



