in "lilacdom" 215 



grows wild in southwestern Asia from the Caucasus to 

 Afghanistan, and in the western Himalayas S. emodi 

 is found. All other known species are natives of 

 eastern Asia and no fewer than seventeen species 

 are indigeneous in China proper. Only one species 

 (S.japonica), and that a Tree Lilac, is found in Japan. 

 In the gardens of Peking and of other places in north- 

 ern China the white-flowered 5. affinis has been cul- 

 tivated from time immemorial. 



All Lilacs are very hardy plants, and, notwithstand- 

 ing, the fact that none is native of this country every 

 species so far brought into cultivation has proved 

 hardy in the Arnold Arboretum. When their wide 

 range of distribution is duly considered this is remark- 

 able. In very severe winters the Himalayan S. 

 emodi suffers somewhat and the flowers of the Chinese 

 S. oblata are occasionally injured by late spring frosts 

 but no other sort is hurt. And not only are Lilacs 

 quite hardy in the colder parts of New England and 

 elsewhere but they thrive better there than they do 

 across the water in Great Britain. 



As mentioned already the ordinary colored and 

 white forms of the Common Lilac will withstand 

 considerable hardship and abuse but their progeny 

 to give the best results demand a good soil and this is 

 true for all the other species. A well-drained, good, 



