SPI 
SPI 
height, and produces its white flowers in 
J uly. 
Bella. Has bright red flowers, dis¬ 
played through July and August, on 
branches not exceeding two feet. 
Betulifolia. The birch-leaved spirea 
has terminal corymbs of pink flowers, 
produced about a month earlier than 
those of the preceding, and attains the 
same height. 
Chamceclrifolia. Germander - leaved 
spirea; has corymbs of white flowers, 
produced through June and July; the 
plant grows about a foot and a half high. 
There are several varieties of this species, 
differing more or less in habit and the 
shape of the leaves. 
Corymbosa. This is one of the most 
beautiful species; it has oblong, irregu¬ 
larly serrated leaves, and large dense 
corymbs of white flowers, which are very 
striking throughout July and August; 
the plant does not exceed a foot and a 
half hi height. 
Cratcegifolia. This species is of very 
neat growth; the hawthorn-like leaves 
are more copious than in some others; 
it grows to a height of three feet and 
also has white flowers borne in terminal 
compound corymbs at the same time as 
the preceding. 
Crenata. Is esteemed as one of the 
earliest to flower; it expands its blossoms 
in April, and they continue for a couple 
of months; they also are white. The 
plant grows about two feet high. 
Douglassii. A comparatively new spe¬ 
cies, and certainly the finest of the genus; 
it has dense, compound, terminal racemes 
of rosy-lilac flowers, which are copiously 
produced on all parts of the plant, and 
continue in beauty from the end of June 
till August; the height of the plant may 
be stated as three feet, though it flowers 
when very small. 
Ilypericifolia. This is a tall-growing 
species, suitable for the middle of a group; 
its flowers are white, and produced at the 
same time with those of crenata. It is 
commonly known as the Italian May. 
Laevigata. A beautiful species, with 
lanceolate sessile leaves, and compound 
racemes of red flowers, produced as early 
as those of the last species, and continu¬ 
ing for near three months; the plant 
grows about the same height, and would 
be suitably placed by the side of hyperi- 
cifolia . 
Opulifolia. Guelder-rose-leaved, re¬ 
markable for its three-lobed ovate leaves, 
and stalked corvmbs of white flowers ; 
the species is one of the most robust hi 
habit, and is common in shrubberies; it 
attains a height of five or six feet, and 
blooms in June and July. A variety of 
this species, called tonientosa, has singular 
hoary leaves which render it desirable 
among other kinds. 
Pubescens. Another new species, re¬ 
sembling the last in habit, but weaker ; 
it has small round umbels of pure white 
flowers, which are fragrant; the plant 
grows about two feet high, and being a 
native of China will require a rather 
sheltered spot to grow in. The blossoms 
expand in March. 
iSalicifolia. This, though a native 
plant, is well worth cultivation; it is a 
strong grower, attaining four or five feet, 
with ample oblong, serrated foliage, and 
decompound racemes of flowers, which 
in the original species are white or occa¬ 
sionally flushed with pink. There are 
also four or five varieties, as Alpestris , 
white; Carnea , flesh colour; grandijlora, 
pink; latifolia and paniculata , both 
white,—the first distinguished by its larger 
leaves, and the last by a difference in the 
inflorescence : they are all worthy a place 
in the garden. 
Sorbifolia. Is one of the most com¬ 
mon, and is known by its pinnate leaves, 
and panicled flowers of a pure white ; it 
grows about four feet, and blossoms in 
August. A variety of it known as S. 
alpina is of dwarfer habit and has larger 
flowers. 
There is notliing in the culture of 
Spireas requiring particular notice, except 
that as the branches proceeding directly 
from the roots are always the strongest, 
it is advisable to encourage their produc¬ 
tion by cutting away the older stems 
which are past flowering. Propagation 
is generally easy by means of suckers, 
or, in their absence, layers may be made 
of the lowermost branches which strike 
root freely, or cuttings of the young wood 
