HARDY SHRUBS 333 



Propagation. Most species propagate readily from seeds or 

 suckers from roots. 



ROBINIA (Locust). The Rose Acacia, R. hispida, is a most 

 attractive shrub, bearing deep, rose colored flowers in hanging 

 racemes. When grown on its own roots it suckers freely, and when 

 planted among choice shrubs it soon appropriates space not intended 

 for it. When worked on stocks of the False Acacia, R. Pseudacacia 

 it is a more desirable shrub, but it requires frequent pruning to keep 

 it in shape. Of R. Pseudacacia there are low growing and late- 

 blooming forms; none of them are, however, superior to the type. 



Propagation. Seeds, suckers, and grafting upon seedhngs of 

 R. Pseudacacia are the best methods of increase. 



SHEPHERDIA (Buffalo Berry). Under favorable conditions 

 S. argentea grows into a small tree. The leaves, owing to the presence 

 of an immense number of small silvery scales, are almost white 

 on both sides, and from a distance the plants look as if they were 

 covered with white flowers. The blooms are small, produced singly 

 or in pairs in the axils of the leaves; they are exceedingly fragrant. 

 5. canadensis is a smaller species, reaching a height of 6 feet. 



Propagation. Both are easily raised from seeds. 



SPIRAEA. The shrubby species worth growing are too numer- 

 ous to mention here. One of the earhest to flower, and a favorite 

 kind, is S. prunifolia; S. canioniensis (Reevesiana) and its double 

 form are both popular. S. Thunhergii blooms very early in the season 

 when there are but few leaves on the plant; the flowers are small, 

 but they make up in numbers for what they lack in size. In the 

 Northern states the tips of the branches are often winter-killed. 

 All of the above have white flowers. 5. salicifolia and its varieties 

 bloom in dense panicles late in the season. This, with S. paniculata 

 rosea, another late bloomer, has pink flowers. 5. Van Houttei is 

 one of the best kinds which flower in May or June; it makes a good 

 forcing plant. S. Bumalda, S. B. Anthony Waterer and S. B. 

 Froebelii, taller than Anthony Waterer have the flowers disposed on 

 the ends of the shoots of the current year's growths, in flat heads, 

 several inches in diameter. In 5. Bumalda the flowers are rose 

 colored; its variety has dark crimson blossoms. Both are dwarf, 

 but very vigorous and easily propagated from the young wood. 

 S. sorbifolia, S. grandiflora and 5. Lindleyana are distinct from the 

 others in having odd-pinnate leaves and the flowers arranged in 

 large panicles, produced late in the season; they are properly Sor- 



