FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 203 



heterophylla variegata is a dwarf, low-growing plant with 

 variegated leaves, and is used for pot work, for covering 

 the ground in sub-tropical bedding designs, and might be 

 used to great advantage for rambling over large stones 

 in the rock garden. V. Coignetiae and V. Thunbergii, 

 though not remarkable for beauty of flowers, are highly 

 valued for the brilliant shades of their autumn foliage. 



Weigela, See Diervilla. 



Wistaria (Leguminoseae). 



Wistaria chinensis (syns W. sinensis, Glycine chinensis, 

 and G. sinensis). — Chinese Wistaria. China, 1816. This 

 is the only species at all common in gardens, and by far 

 the handsomest in cultivation. It justly ranks amongst 

 the most beautiful of hardy climbing shrubs, and is 

 invaluable as a wall plant, or for clothing the bare stems 

 of sparsely foliaged trees. The purplish-lilac flowers are 

 produced in long, drooping racemes in early summer. W. 

 chinensis alba has pretty white flowers; W. chinensis 

 flore-pleno has not proved very satisfactory, but when 

 seen at its best, which is, however, but rarely, the double 

 flowers are both beautiful and showy ; W. chinensis varie- 

 gata has badly variegated foliage; and W. chinensis 

 macrobotrya is a plant of great beauty with very long 

 racemes of pale-lavender flowers, but they vary a good 

 deal in colour, those of some plants being almost white. 

 It is a very desirable variety, and one that when better 

 known is sure to attract attention. 



W. frutescens (syns Glycine frutescens and Thyrsanthus 

 frutescens). — North America, 1724. This is a very hand- 

 some deciduous climbing species from North America. 

 The flowers, which appear towards autumn, are bluish- 

 purple and fragrant, and borne in erect racemes. It is 

 quite hardy and equally suitable with the Chinese species 



