Spiraea. 1 2 1 



America, but are seldom found in tropical climates or 

 south of the equator. The species and varieties are too 

 numerous to be fully described in this connection, or even 

 named. They nearly all have alternate leaves, simple or 

 pinnate, and small white or rose-colored blossoms. These 

 last appear in cymes, corymbs, and panicles, the parts of 

 the flowers being mostly in fives. As hardy shrubs they 

 thrive in almost any good soil, and can be grown with 

 little care. Some of the species are mere herbs, dying 

 down to the root in winter and reappearing in early spring, 

 and others are large and vigorous-growing shrubs, assum- 

 ing at times almost a tree form. 



S. opulifolia. — This is one of the most prominent of 

 the American species, the familiar " ninebark " of our 

 swamps and lowlands. It grows six to seven feet, with a 

 rugged stem, and loose gray bark easily peeling off, 

 whence comes its popular name. The branches are re- 

 curved, the leaves three-lobed and doubly serrate, and the 

 flowers white, succeeded by bladdery pods turning to purple 

 as autumn approaches. It is altogether a good plant, and 

 will thrive in dry soils as well as in those which are wet. 

 What is known as the golden spiraea, 6^. o. aurea, a variety 

 of the opulifolia, has bright yellow leaves, and is especially 

 desirable as a foliage plant. No one who has seen good 

 specimens in masses or interspersed among other sorts, will 

 hesitate to pronounce this one of the best ornamental 

 shrubs we have in cultivation. It grows to a similar height 

 with the parent, and is especially bright in spring while 

 the leaves are young and fresh. The flowers are double, 

 appearing in June. 



