HARDY SHRUBS 309 



In the Northern States they should be planted in protected situa- 

 tions. These plants make splendid growth in tubs, and are easily 

 forced into bloom for the decoration of large conservatories. D. 

 gracilis has never been known to suffer from cold weather in this 

 latitude, and it is said to stand the Winter, when in sheltered posi- 

 tions, in the Northern States. As it blooms on short growths made 

 on the wood of the previous season, the plant would be of no serv- 

 ice where its branches are apt to get winter killed. It is one of 

 the grandest of our dwarf flowering shrubs, blooming in Washing- 

 ton from the first to the middle of May, and growing from 2 to 3 

 feet high. It is well suited for planting in cemeteries. For forcing 

 into bloom, it is an easy subject. The plants may be lifted from 

 the open ground as late as the weather will permit. They lift with 

 a mass of fine fibrous roots, and should be potted before getting a 

 chance to dry. Place them in a deep frame till wanted; put them 

 in heat very gradually, else there will be a tendency to have flow- 

 ers without foliage. D. Lemoinei, a hybrid between D. gracilis and 

 D. parmflora, is also a good subject for forcing and is more vigorous 

 than D. gracilis. 



Propagation. These shrubs are easily propagated from green 

 wood cuttings taken shortly after the plant is done blooming. Dull 

 weather should be chosen for the operation, as then the cuttings 

 stand an almost certain chance of rooting. Make the pieces about 

 4 inches long; avoid the thick, succulent growths, taking only those 

 which have most substance to them. Put closely together in the 

 sand bed of a cool house, or frame, and shade to prevent wilting. As 

 soon as rooted, put in boxes or small pots until roots start in 

 the soil, then plant in rows outside, where they will make bushy 

 little plants before Autumn. The next year after that in which 

 they are struck from cuttings will give plants large enough to go 

 into 6-inch pots for forcing. They are easily propagated also by 

 hardwood cuttings taken after the leaves fall from the current 

 year's growths; they should be tied in bunches and heeled in moss 

 in a coldframe. In early Spring they are put in boxes of sand, 

 with a Uttle soil at the bottom, and kept in a greenhouse. When 

 rooted they are hardened off and planted out in rows, where they 

 will make fair sized plants before the growing season is over. They 

 may also be propagated from seed. 



DIERVILLA (Weigela). D. rosea is the best known of the 

 species; it blooms in May and June. As it is not particular as to 

 soil or location the species and its varieties should be in every col- 



