236 FLOWER GARDENING 
are extremely interesting, though the task will be 
found a very difficult one in the northeastern part 
of the United States excepting in the first two 
instances. 
Shrubs, too, are hobby subjects. The lilac 
(Syringa), of which there are several species and a 
great many varieties, is one of the best of them. 
The rhododendron and azalea are quite as good in 
their showier way. Permanence of investment con- 
sidered, none of these can be called an extravagant 
hobby. The viburnum forms an interesting group 
of considerable size; so do the barberry (Berberis), 
the dogwood (Cornus), the hawthorn Crategus), 
the St. John’s wort (Hypericum), the honeysuckle 
(Lonicera), the mock orange (Philadelphus), the 
bramble (Rubus), the spirea, the elder (Sam- 
bucus), the sumac (Rhus) and the currant 
(Ribes). 
A few of the annuals are to be had in various 
species, though this point is generally overlooked 
by the grower of flowers. Half a dozen species of 
annual chrysanthemum are on the market and as 
many of candytuft (Jberis) and centaurea. The 
great annual for specializing is the sweet pea. Too 
many think the sweet pea (Lathyrus) easy. Indif- 
ferent blooms, it is true, are not very hard to bring 
into the garden; but immense ones of marvelous 
form and growing on plants exceeding eight feet in 
height are only to be had as the result of cultural 
skill. Any one who grows even a dozen of the best 
named varieties of a choice strain will find that he 
