20 
Syringa Julianae, one of Wilson’s discoveries in western China, is 
another plant which deserves a permanent place in American gardens. 
It is also of the same group as S. pubescens with the same shaped 
flowers with the long corolla tube, but they are arranged in a short 
broad cluster and are much less fragrant. Their beauty is increased 
by the contrast between the violet-purple of the outer surface of the 
corolla and the white inner surface of its lobes. 
Syringa tomentella, or as it has sometimes been called S. Wilsonii, 
another of Wilson’s Chinese discoveries, is a tall fast growing, hardy 
shrub with slender arching stems forming an open broad head. The 
leaves resemble those of S. villosa and the flowers which are produced 
in large open clusters are of the palest rose-color with a long slender 
corolla-tube. 
Syringa microphylla, although by no means one of the handsomest 
of the new Lilacs, is interesting because it blooms every year in Octo¬ 
ber as well as in June. It is a native of north-central China and is a 
narrow shrub with slender erect stems and small leaves and small pale 
rose-colored flowers in small narrow clusters. 
Syringa reflexa which resembles S. villosa in habit and foliage differs 
from all other Lilacs in its narrow, cylindric, pendent clusters of dark 
rose-colored flowers. It is a native of western China where it was dis¬ 
covered by Wilson. It is a hardy, vigorous fast growing shrub which 
promises to grow here to a large size. As a garden plant it is chiefly 
valuable for the unusual shape of its drooping flower-clusters. 
It is too soon to speak of the value of the recently introduced Korean 
species, S. velutina, S. dilitata and S. formosissima, which are perfectly 
hardy in the Arboretum and have already flowered sparingly in the 
Arboretum. 
A Hybrid Lilac. The first hybrid Lilac appeared in the Botanic Gar¬ 
den at Rouen in 1810, and was the result of the crossing of Syringa 
vulgaris and S. persica. It is one of the most valuable of Lilacs. It 
grows quickly into a bush ten or twelve feet high and broad of rather 
open habit, and is very hardy and blooms freely every year. In shape 
the leaves resemble those of the Persian Lilac but are broader. The 
flowers, too, resemble those of the Persian Lilac, but are longer and 
produced in massive clusters sometimes two feet in length and so heavy 
that the slender branches can barely support them. The flowers are red¬ 
dish purple and there are forms with darker red flowers and with nearly 
white flowers. This Lilac has often been called Syringa rothomagensis^ 
but unfortunately through a misunderstanding of its origin the oldest 
and correct name for it is Syringa ehinensis. 
Early Azaleas. The pink flowered Rhododendron Vaseyi from the 
Carolina Blue Ridge is now blooming near the Meadow Road, and the 
Japanese R, Kaempheri now makes a blaze of color on the southern 
slope of Bussey Hill. 
