MEADOW SWEET. 
139 
Spiraeas are graceful bushy plants for massing in 
the border or shrubbery, or near the margins of 
ponds or streams ; indeed the latter position is the 
most natural one for all of them. A rich and moist, 
yet well-drained, loamy soil suits them perfectly, and 
they may all be raised from seeds sown in spring, or 
when ripe in cold frames ; or be increased by division. 
The most valuable kinds are : — 8. Aruncus , the 
Goat’s Beard, a charming plant, 3 to 5 feet high with 
thrice pinnate leaves, and feathery panicles of 
creamy-white blossoms thrown well above the foliage 
in June and July. 8. Kneiffi is a peculiar dwarfish 
form with skeleton leaves. S. astilboides is similar in 
appearance, but dwarfer and with looser trusses of 
blossoms. The variety floribunda is a great improve- 
ment on the type. 8. Filipendula is a native species 
with dense tufts of finely-cut leaves which spread out 
on the surface of the ground making a beautiful green 
carpet. The white or rosy tinted blossoms are borne 
from June to August in panicles 1|- to 2 feet high. 
The double-flowered variety (flore plena ) is particu- 
larly charming (Plate 22, fig. 60). 8. kamtschatica, 
(or gigantea) is a magnificent perennial, 6 to 9 feet 
high, with large palmately-lobed leaves, and immense 
heads of white sweetly-scented flowers. The variety 
elegans is remarkable for its leaves being nearly a foot 
across and for its rose-coloured blossoms. 8. lubata , 
the Queen of the Prairie, is another tall-growing 
species from North America. The leaves are grace- 
fully cut and lobed, while the deep rosy-carmine 
blossoms appear in dense clusters in June. 
S.palmata, a charming Japanese Meadow Sweet, 
