HARDY SHRUBS 325 



here by the middle of March. M. denudala (conspicua) follows a 

 week or ten days later; this is the finest of the Chinese species. As 

 the large flowers expand before the foliage it is indeed a conspicuous 

 plant when in bloom. M. Soulangeana is thought to be a natural 

 hybrid between M. denudata and the dark purple flowered M. 

 liliflora (obovata). This is probably the case, as the color of the 

 flowers would indicate; moreover, it is later in blooming than M. 

 denudata and earlier than M. liliflora. M. Kobus is a very shapely 

 small tree, with small flowers which open early. It is used as a stock 

 for grafting purposes. The seeds are certain to germinate evenly 

 when sown as soon as ripe. M. Soulangeana var. Lennei is the 

 showiest of the dark purple flowered kinds. The bloom is cup- 

 shaped and very large; the petals are dark purple on the outside, 

 lighter within. M. siellata is sometimes used as an Easter plant. 

 When flowered in pots for this purpose it should be home grown, 

 and plants selected for forcing which show the most buds. For 

 forcing they may be potted in the Fall, but if the ground is in a 

 condition to allow the plants to be lifted they can be successfully 

 flowered a week or two afterward. 



Propagation. Effected by seed, budding, grafting, and layer- 

 ing. Stocks may be chosen from M. Kobus, M. tripetala or M. 

 acuminata. Layering should be practiced before the plants are in 

 active growth. The best season for planting is just before the 

 plants start into growth. 



NEVIUSIA (Alabama Snow Wreath). The common name 

 of N. alabamensis is a little misleading, as when in flower there is 

 really nothing to suggest snow from the appearance of the bushes. 

 The stamens are the most attractive part of the flower; they are 

 greenish white. The flower is really a Spiraea without petals. 



Propagation. By division of the old plants; they sucker very 

 freely. Summer cuttings can be depended on to root quickly. 



OSMANTHUS. This genus belongs to the same order as the 

 Olive (Olea), under which the species are sometimes described. 0. 

 aquifolium has a certain resemblance to the English Holly (Ilex). 

 The resemblance is still more striking in the variety 0. a. ilicijolius, 

 one of the handsomest evergreen shrubs outside of the Conifers. It 

 has stood outdoors here for a long number of years. During very 

 severe Winters it suffers very little, and in protected situations not 

 at all. 0. a. myrtif alius is a form with leathery, spineless leaves, 

 but is not such a free-growing shrub as the others. Of 0. a. ilicijolius 



