136 THE GAEDENEE'S COMPANION 



S. sorbifolia is a sturdy-growing plant with fern- 

 shaped leaves, about five feet high, and bearing 

 upright plumes of creamy white flowers ; its roots 

 spread quickly, and it will grow easily under trees. 

 A very useful plant. 



S. Thunbergi. This delightful species is very dif- 

 ferent in appearance from all the former ; it grows to 

 about five or six feet in height, spreading in width. 

 The flowers, which are pure white, small and in 

 sprays, make their appearance very early in April, 

 followed by the lovely grass-like foliage of light 

 and tender green which is a beauty in itself for 

 the whole summer, and takes the most brilliant 

 and varied colours in late autumn, thus making 

 the shrub a specially beautiful object for the 

 greater part of the year. This again must not be 

 crowded, but must be given a good position. 



S. bracteata, S. confusa, and S. prunifoliafl. pi., 

 are all pretty shrubs, bearing rosettes of white 

 flowers about June, growing on long graceful shoots, 

 with small dark leaves. S. opulifolia aurea is 

 another very distinct variety, six or seven feet high ; 

 leaves something the shape of Guelder Eose leaves. 

 These appear in April, of a lovely golden colour, 

 which continues through the summer ; the flowers, 



