Hibiscus — Mallow — Althea. 



303 



to which they are in reality closely allied. The best-known 

 native species is H. moscheutos, found chiefly in swamps 

 and marshes along the Atlantic coast, and to some extent 

 on the borders of the Great Lakes as far north as the Ca- 

 nadian line. This is known almost everywhere as the 

 swamp rose, and with a considerable degree of propriety. 

 When transferred 

 to ordinary soil it 

 continues to thrive 

 nearly as well as be- 

 fore. This class of 

 mallows appears in 

 m-any colors. The 

 several varieties 

 make charming 

 plants in the border, 

 especially as they 

 flower in mid-sum- 

 mer. 



H. syriacus is 

 the bush or small 

 tree p opularly 

 known as the althea, 

 and sometimes as 

 the rose of Sharon. It is believed to have originated in 

 Syria, though it may not have been the flower mentioned 

 as with affection in the Jewish Scriptures. It is usually a 

 shrub ten to twelve feet in height, but sometimes much 

 larger. Its habit is rather stiff and straggling, and it needs 

 attention and a somewhat free use of the pruning-knife 



HIBISCUS. 



