NAT. ORDER. OLEINEiE. 
163 
Scotch are still larger, and the flowers fairer ; it of course makes the 
best appearance ; the panicles of flowers grow erect, and being inter- 
mixed with the bright green leaves, have a fine effect, which, with 
the fragrance of the flowers, renders it one of the most beautiful shrubs 
of the garden. The flowers appear early in May, or towards the end 
of April, and when the season is cool, continue three weeks — but in 
hot seasons soon fade. It is supposed to be a native of Persia. There 
are several varieties of this species, some with white flowers, blue 
flowers, and purple flowers, or Scotch Lilac 
Syringa Persica. Persian Lilac. This species is a shrub of 
much lower growth than the common sort, seldom rising more than 
five or six feet high ; the stems are covered with a smooth brown 
bark ; the branches are slender, pliable, extend wide on every side, and 
frequently bend down where they are not supported ; the leaves two 
and a half inches long, and three-fourths of an inch broad, and of a 
deep green color ; the flowers hang in large panicles at the end of the 
former year's shoots, as in the former ; of a pale blue color, and having 
a very pleasing, agreeable odor. They appear at the end of May, 
soon after those of the common sort, and continue longer in beauty, but 
do not always perfect their seeds in this northern climate. There are 
also several varieties of this species, such as the common purple- 
flowered ; white-flowered ; blue-flowered ; and the laciviated, or cut- 
leaved. 
Propagation and Culture. These plants are mostly raised by 
suckers or layers, and sometimes by seeds. The suckers should be 
taken off in the autumn or spring, with root-fibres to them, and be 
planted out either in nursery rows, to remain a year or two, or where 
they are to remain. The layers may be made from the young, pliant 
shoots, and be laid down in the autumn in the usual way, and in the 
autumn following, taken off" and planted out, as in the suckers. 
