160 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



a fine decoration to the hedgerows when bearing an abun- 

 dant crop of variously-coloured berries — some glowing 

 sea,vlet, others as black as jet. 



The common Guelder rose (Vibiirniim opulun) or snow- 

 ball tree, that is so familiar in our gardens, does not differ 

 from the wild tree of the same name in any essential par- 

 ticular. It is, however, much handsomer, as the result 

 of long cultivation, and probably the improved forms were 

 introduced to our gardens from the district of Holland 

 its familiar name commemorates. Gerarde describes it as 

 known to the Dutch as " Gheldersche Roose,^'' but he says 

 nothing of the origin of the garden variety ; and Dodoens, 

 who describes it as " Harris (or marsh) Elder, Ople, or 

 Dwarflie Plane Tree," throws no light upon the subject. 

 It is of little consequence ; but as names are often, like 

 caskets, filled with information for such as can unlock 

 tliem, we shall assume that in the case before us we have 

 direct suggestion of the indebtedness of our gardens to the 

 horticulture of the Low Countries. 



The snowball tree makes a growth in many respects 

 like the common hedge maple, and the leaves are similarly 

 lobed. In the early summer the leafage is of a brilliant 

 light green colour ; and in May and June, when the flowers 

 appeal', often in prodigal profusion, the round white clusters 

 show with striking effect, and serve as a beautiful link 

 between the coming summer and the passing sjiring. 

 Between the showy flowers of the garden tree and the less 

 attractive flowers of the wild tree some differences are 

 observable, and they are of the kind which may l^e seen in a 

 peculiar!}' interesting manner in that beautiful hard}' shrul>, 

 Hyilraiiffra Japnuica. In the centre of the clusters the 

 flowers are small, and show stamens and pistils; but those 



