350 List of Shrubs 
Spirea. This well-known genus of the rose family, with over fifty 
species and very numerous varieties, permitting a wide choice as to 
time of flowering (from early spring to late fall), and size, has repre- 
sentatives in all continents among herbs, as well as low to tall shrubs. 
Delicate, white and rose-colored flowers, freely produced in showy 
clusters, and fine, mostly small foliage are their ornamental features, 
while hardiness, frugality, ease of propagation, and vigor, though full 
of grace, recommend them for use everywhere, especially as borders, 
along walls, facings, ctc., or in masses of one variety. Some of them, 
to be sure, lack in outline, being weedy of appearance, which defect 
must be overcome by proper g-ouping. They prefer sunny exposures, 
but a moist soil. 
Of the native ones, at least three late flowering species deserve 
attention: 
S. opulifolia Linn. (112) (Physocarpus, Neillia, Opulaster), 
Ninebark (because easily peeling), is the best known, a shrub of our 
eastern swamps, and into the Canadian Northwest, thriving in all 
soils. A rugged, rather coarse, spreading bush, of six to ten feet in 
height, with relatively large, three-lobed, serrate, bright green, lus- 
trous leaves, and white flowers (early summer) in numerous clusters 
along the branches, followed by bright red pods, contrasting well with 
the foliage. A variety, S. aurea, with bright yellow leaves and double 
flowers (June), is one of the best plants for color effect. Both are fine 
specimens and good for massing. 
S. salicifolia Linn. (113), Jfeadow-sweet (now classed also with two 
other species, alba and latifolia), so called from the fact that it is found 
bordering meadows and swamps, from Manitoba south, is a low bush 
(two to five feet), with reddish-brown branches and long, willow-like 
leaves. ‘The terminal panicles of fine, white to pink flowers in July, 
persisting into August, are its chief attraction. 
S. tomentosa Linn. (114), Steeplebush, Hardhack, also quite low, 
with oblong leaves, dark green above and yellowish or whitish beneath, 
and dense spikes of rose-colored or deep pink flowers (July to Septem- 
ber). 
Of exotic species, several from Japan and China, quite as hardy 
and frugal, are more elegant than the natives and some are earlier 
bloomers. 
* S. Thunberg? Sieb. (115) is one of the most popular, the earliest 
bloomer (April, May), with small, white flowers covering the low, round, 
