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THE FLORIST AND FOMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
As a florist’s flower in winter, it is in great demand. The Persian varieties are 
also used for forcing, the flowers being more delicate than those of the common 
purple. Through hybridisation many valuable varieties have been added to the 
Lilac group of late years, both in this country and in Europe. In the following 
list we desire to introduce and make known some of the best and most striking 
varieties, consisting of all colours and shades, from the darkest red to the purest 
white :— 
Persica. —A native of Persia, of dwarf growth, four feet to six feet high, with small 
foliage, and bright purple flowers. 
Persica alba. —Of somewhat less vigorous growth than the above, with delicate white 
flowers shaded with purple. 
Flore-pleno. —Double purple, resembling in colour the common purple, but has a 
double row of petals. It is much admired, being the only double variety. 
Grandiflora. —A very vigorous-growing variety, with panicles of bright purple 
flowers of unusual size. 
ViRGiNALis. —A most charming variety, with large panicles of pure white flowers, and 
dark green foliage. 
Emodi. —A native of the Himalayas, with very large and fine, delicate, purplish-lilac 
flowers, in erect dense panicles; a very free bloomer. 
Sinensis. —A species resembling the Persian, but of more vigorous growth. Flowers of 
reddish-purple, a most prolific bloomer; in fact, the whole bush is a mass of flowers. 
JosiKiEA.—A very distinct species, with shining leaves and purple flowers, blossoming 
from two to three weeks after all the other varieties of Lilacs, and when very few other 
shrubs or trees are in bloom. 
Duchesse de Nemours. —Flowers light purple, distinct and fine. 
Nana. —A very distinct dwarf variety, with large and compact spikes of dark reddish- 
purple flowers. 
Speciosa. —One of the most charming new varieties, with very strong spikes of bright 
reddish flowers. 
Gloire I)e Moulins. —Panicles very large, of a fine rosy lilac colour, a superb variety. 
CtERULEA SUPERBA. —Flowers light purple when in bud, but when fully open, a clear 
lilac ; truss very large ; the finest of its colour. 
Alba grandiflora. —Large, pure white trusses of flowers; considered the best white. 
Prince Nottger. —Delicate bluish-purple ; flowering early. 
Rothomagensis rubra. —This is one of the most showy varieties, flowers reddish, in 
panicles of great size, often measuring 18 in. in length, and very abundant. Planted on lawms 
no tree or shrub will give such grand effect; even the Rhododendron cannot vie with it. 
— George Ellwangee, Rochester^ N. Y, 
SPECIMEN SHRUBS. 
‘’ITH a view to summer effect, sbrubs which are planted too thickly should 
be thinned-out during the winter, and the thinnings taken away and 
burnt. The beauty of all shrubs depends in a great measure on their outline. 
Fine variegated Hollies, for instance, are often seen smothered with other 
common things, and their contour really spoilt from want of timely attention to 
thinning and cutting-in. Lilacs and such-like deciduous spring-flowering shrubs, 
though very beautiful in their way, should never be allowed to interfere with the 
full development of a large Holly, Yew, or Portugal Laurel, causing it to be one¬ 
sided and sickly from overcrowding. When this overcrowding has been going on 
for years, and the vigour of the finer specimens is very much reduced, a good 
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top-dressing with dung or some kind of soil may be put on with advantage. This 
will assist greatly to rectify matters, and bring about a free growth. It often 
