Clethra — Sweet Pepper-Bush. 9 



has a semi-tropical climate, and whether suited to New 

 England and the Northwest or not, there appears to 

 be little doubt that it will thrive in the southern and 

 southwestern States, and prove a valuable acquisition. 



One of the best of the older varieties, known as the 

 Pride of Rochester, was originated and sent out by the 

 well-known firm of nurserymen, Messrs. Ellwanger and 

 Barry, as an offshoot of D. crenata fiore pleno. Though 

 but a comparatively recent introduction, its merits are 

 such that it has already become widely and highly appre- 

 ciated. It carries large, double, white flowers, some parts 

 of the petals being slightly tinted with scarlet or rose, and 

 is said to excel all the older sorts in size of flower, length 

 of panicle, profuseness of bloom, and vigorous habit. It 

 comes into flower soon after th.& gracilis and a week or two 

 in advance of most of the other forms of deutzia. 



CLETHRA— Sweet Pepper-Bush. 



THE clethras are highly ornamental shrubs, though 

 until quite recently they have not received the 

 attention which their merits demand. So far as 

 known, they are all American plants, and most of them 

 suitable for use in our best gardens, where they are now 

 becoming better known and more largely planted than 

 heretofore. The species capable of the best service in the 

 northern States and Canada is C. alnifolia, a small shrub 

 two to four feet high, but in cultivation sometimes reach- 

 ing double those proportions. It is often found in masses, 

 growing in low or wet places, or along the banks of 

 streams, and sometimes in swamps, where the roots are 



