ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



generous treatment, and when planted in a rather deep, rich soil, 

 with full exposure to the sun's warmth, the display of blossom 

 is particularly fine. The type is well known, having been culti- 

 vated in British gardens over 300 years. It seldom exceeds 6ft, 

 in height and as much through, and carries numbers of purplish- 

 violet cup-shaped flowers. The varieties are numerous, and the 

 following are some of the best : monstrosa has large blush-white 

 flowers, blotched with crimson at the base of each petal, coelestis 

 is the first to flower ; colour pale blue, blotched with purple, totus 

 albus is very charming ; flowers large, good shape, and pure 

 white. Painted Lady is show^y ; pale rose, blotched with deep 

 red. r5uc de Brabant, 

 lilacina plena, Comte 

 de Hainault, Lady 

 Stanley, amplissima, 

 Leopoldi, and ainaran- 

 thus are also deserving 

 of recognition. 



Hydrangeas should 

 be represented in all 

 gardens, as they are 

 ornamental and easily 

 grown, H. hortensis 

 \H. japonicd) (Fig. 250) 

 is hardy in the South 

 and West of England, 

 and bears freely its 

 large heads of flowers 

 in summer. Some 

 varieties raised from it 

 are of great value. A 

 few of the best are : 

 stellata^ with pale rose 

 flowers, suff'used with a 

 deeper shade. Lindleyi 

 {H. japonica roseo-alba) 

 is distinct and hand- 

 some. Thomas Hogg has enormous heads of snow-white 

 r flowers. Although hardy in sheltered spots, the hortensis 

 group of Hydrangeas is seen to better effect when grown 

 as pot-plants for conservatory decoration. In the open ground 

 the shoots are sometimes cut down in severe winters, but 

 vigorous growths are thrown up from the base of the plants in 

 spring. H. radiata {H. nivea) is a free-growing sort with deep 

 green leaves covered .with a conspicuous white felt-like substance 

 on the under-surface. It creates a pleasing effect when disturbed 

 by wind. H. qiiercifolia (Oak-leaved), an American species, grows 

 a few feet high, and delights in a moist, rich soil ; its pure white 



2 c 2 



Fig. 250.— Hydrangea hortensis. 



