CHAPTER XXIII 



THE HYDRANGEA, DAPHNE, OLEA FRAGRANS AND 

 MYRTLE 



The Hydrangea 



The Hydrangea is a prime favorite with all who 

 have room for a shrub of the size which it attains with 

 age. Its large, rich foliage, of the brightest green, 

 gives it an attractive appearance at any time. When to 

 this is added the immense clusters of flowers which 

 are produced so freely during summer, and which 

 last so long, it is certainly a plant to be admired. 



Old plants often get to be four and five feet high, 

 with many branches, and each branch will bend beneath 

 the weight of its great panicle of bloom. These pan- 

 icles are often eight inches across. They are com- 

 posed of hundreds of individual flowers. The best 

 known species, H. hortensis, bears bright pink blos- 

 soms, gradually changing to a pale green. They 

 remain for months. 



The culture required is very simple. Give a soil 

 of ordinary richness, water freely while growing, and 

 keep from the hot sun. In fall gradually withhold 

 water, and put the plants in the cellar over winter. 

 Give plenty of root room. An old plant will require 

 a large box or tub if you expect a yearly development 

 of strong branches from which the flowers of the next 

 year will be produced. This plant shares in popularity 

 with the Oleander, and, like that plant, it is one of 

 the best for summer decoration of the piazza' or lawn. 

 A pretty variety for the window is H. speciosa varie- 

 gata, having a leaf of bright, shining green, banded 



