HYDRANGEAS 407 



E. G. Hill and Souvenir de Mme. de Chautard are good pink sorts; 

 General de Vibraye and Eclaireur are deep rose; and Trophee, one 

 of the latest, is almost red in color. There is no doubt but what 

 still finer sorts will be introduced and among them some which will 

 be especially adapted for outdoors. Before long I look for some real 

 double ones, of which we have already a forerunner in "Domotoi." 



Hydrangea paniculata gbandiflora 



When these hardy Hydrangeas are in bloom, there isn't much 

 chance for anything else. In fact all the other favorites, such aa 

 the Lilac, the Spiraea and the Philadelphus have gone long ago. 

 Nature is far too lavish with her display of flowers among the shrubs 

 in early Summer when everything seems to be in bloom at the 

 same time. These Hydrangeas form one of the few exceptions. 

 We have them with us from July on, and they remain and are still 

 showy with their dry, brownish flower heads, even in November. 



Every reteiil grower should devote a fair-sjzed patch of ground 

 to them, not only because they are so showy, but also because they 

 are decorative as cut flowers and because you can use them in design 

 work. The smaller blooms on long stems are fine for sprays. 



When you plant them in the' field let them have good soil 

 and drainage and a liberal amount of manure. Next in importance 

 is to cut the plants back severely each Spring. That is, if you want 

 large flower heads prune back last year's growth to one or two eyes. 

 In that way you wiU obtain 3- to 4-ft. straight stems with from 

 8- to 10-in. flower heads, six inches across at the base. By merely 

 trimming the plants a little you will develop only a lot of small wood 

 bearing small flowers on short stems. 



If you sell plemts to your customers, don't prune them before 

 they are delivered. A better way is to deUver and plant them and 

 prune afterward, for there isn't much left after a 2- or 3-year old 

 plant is cut back. Your nurseymEin wiU supply you with what 

 you want and it won't hurt to order a few plants trained into stand- 

 ard form; the little trees are very effective. 



Hydrangea ahborescens grandiflora 



This is better known as the SnowbaU Hydrangea and is also 

 of value to the florist. It flowers in June and the last blossoms are 

 usually cut as the first ones begin to appear on H. paniculata. The 

 snow-white flowers come on long stems, are good keepers and can 

 also be used in design work. The plants hke a rather moist soil 

 and will do well even if partly shaded. They should be weU pruned 

 each year since the new shoots which break from the bottom produce 

 the showiest and largest flowers. Old plants can be taken up and 



