HYDRANGEA FAMILY 



inconspicuous ; its leaves cling late and fall with little 

 change of color. 



The books give southern Europe as the native land 

 of the plant, but as a matter of fact it has been in cul- 

 tivation so long that its origin is unknown. In north- 

 ern Europe, it was first cultivated in Belgium, then 

 introduced into England about the time of Gerard, 

 1 597, who had plants of it growing in his garden, "in 

 the suburb of Holborne in verie great plentie." It will 

 grow in almost any location and is easily propagated 

 by division of the root. 



There is considerable confusion with regard to the 

 two southern species, Philadelphus inodorus and Phila- 

 dclphus grandiflorus. They seem to have changed 

 names from time to time; and the individuals in our 

 northern gardens appearing under these names are 

 probablv hvbrids. In any case, there is now in culti- 

 vation a Philadelphus producing large scentless flowers 

 — blooming a little after Philadelphus coronarius — which 

 either is a native species or was derived from one. 



216 



