352 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



333. The Lilacs. Possibly the most useful of the lilacs 

 in landscape work is the tree lilac, known commercially as 

 Syringa Japonica. As introduced from Japan it has not 

 proven hardy in Iowa; but as introduced from east Europe 

 it is quite as hardy as the common lilac. This makes a 

 small tree that does not sprout from the crown. It has 

 large dark-green leaves, and its large panicles of pure white 

 flowers appear in June. A variety of this sproutless species 

 from the Amur valley was received by the writer from 

 Moscow, Russia, under the name of Syringa Amurensis. 

 Its leaves are much larger than the typical species, and it 

 flowers at the height of only four or five feet. The flowers 

 are pure white, and appear on upright panicles above the 

 large leaves. 



The Josikea lilac, from Transylvania, also seems to be a 

 closely related species. It does not sprout, and its leaves 

 are large, dark green, free from mildew, and it is very 

 hardy everywhere. Its flowers are delicate pink and ap- 

 pear in June. Of the smaller-growing bush species such 

 varieties as Charles X, Marie Legraye, and Lemoiue's 

 double-flowered are more desirable than the old-fashioned 

 red and white, as their foliage is better and also the flowers. 

 They also flower when younger. 



The Persian species (Syringa Persica} is not as stiff and 

 formal in habit as the other species, and some of the im- 

 proved varieties, such as the alia and laciniata, are valu- 

 able in landscape horticulture. 



334. The Mock-oranges. This numerous family of orna- 

 mental shrubs is popularly known as syringa in Europe and 

 America. As this is the botanical name of the lilac family, 

 it seems to be a survival of the old times when the mock- 

 orange, lilac, and jasmine were classed together. 



In lawn and park planting there is little gain in planting 

 more than four or five of the best varieties that vary in size 



