214 Ornamental Shrubs. 



them in this connection, but the following are among the 

 most desirable sorts, and the descriptions will be sufficient 

 to furnish the basis for a wide selection. ^. v. alba is the 

 well-known common white lilac which so many have 

 learned to love, as it is already widely distributed. It 

 closely resembles the type in everything except the color 

 of the blossom, which is pure white and in large trusses. 

 When the two are growing together the contrast in this 

 respect is very marked. Most, if not all the other, white li- 

 lacs are of inferior proportions to the vulgaris, while this 

 is at least of equal height. 6". v. alba grandiflora is a much 

 smaller bush, five to six feet high, but has larger clusters 

 of even more showy flowers. Another white variety, 61 v. 

 Mai-ie Le^raye is a veritable dwarf, three to four feet, 

 but though low is sufficiently bushy to show a beautiful 

 head of pearly blossoms, making it especially desirable for 

 borders or single specimens where there is but little room 

 to be devoted to lilac culture. It is to many a curiosity 

 greatly admired. 6". v. Frau Dammann, another offshoot, 

 is pronounced by some good judges the very best of all 

 the white sorts, but, though possessing many excellences, 

 it is scarcely entitled to that distinction. It would be dif- 

 ficult, indeed, to name any member of the family as to be 

 preferred over all others without regard to conditions and 

 the effects to be desired. This is, however, a choice form, 

 as the truss is very large and the color without spot or 

 blemish. 



But, though the white-flowering varieties are best 

 known and most largely grown of any of the departures 

 from the typical color, there are other shades equally beau- 



