34 
HARDY ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS 
Syringa —Cont. 
blossoms come in May and June, but are apt to be a 
trifle later than the Coronarius or Mock Orange. The 
foliage is yellow and remains bright throughout the 
season. It is fine for contrastive grouping and another 
good point about it is that it will thrive very well in¬ 
deed in smoky and dusty situations. Is very fragrant. 
Gordonianus. A strong shrub, bushy in form, growing 
to a height of 8 to 10 feet, with large deep green foli¬ 
age. It has showy white flowers in large clusters in 
June and July but they are nearly scentless. Is a fine 
shrub for screen or background or for massing in 
large grounds. Its late blooming is a valuable feature. 
Grandiflora. Also makes a tall growth and with its 
spreading branches makes a fine appearance. It is the 
most vigorous of the species, growing to as high as 10 
feet. The flowers come in June and are very large 
and are clustered along the long irregular branches. 
They are white and extremely conspicuous, and are 
fragrant. This variety is very effective as a back¬ 
ground, as a screen, and in large grounds, very fine 
for massing or as single specimens. 
Lemoinei. Blossoms in May and June. The Lemoine 
variety is a beautifully symmetrical, erect, semi¬ 
dwarf shrub, growing 4 to 6 feet tall. The branches 
are literally covered with small, cream-white blossoms 
of the most exquisite and haunting odor. The foliage 
is fine; the branches delicate and slender. A most 
desirable shrub for many situations because of its 
dainty form and blossoms. It blooms fairly well in 
half shady places. 
Virginalis. A newer member of the family, also semi¬ 
dwarf, growing 4 to 6 feet tall. An unusual feature of 
the Virginalis is that while it makes its best display of 
flowers in May and June, it continues to blossom into 
the fall. This makes it one of the very most desirable 
shrubs. The white flowers are unusually large with 
rounded petals and occasionally double crested. Indi¬ 
vidual flowers measure two inches or more in diam¬ 
eter, are of the purest snow white and excellent for 
cutting. Fragrant. One who has seen it calls it “the 
most beautiful white flowering shrub that has been 
introduced in a quarter of a century." 
Tamarix. A strangely beautiful thing—tall, erect, 
slender foliage, blue-green and thread-like—almost as 
light and feathery as the tops of asparagus plants; in 
form and appearance it resembles the tall narrow 
Junipers, and is an excellent substitute for them be¬ 
cause it looks better and is easily grown. It grows to a 
height of 8 or 10 feet. It will thrive in nearly all soils 
and is hardy when established, but while young it is 
better to protect it from too severe weather. A rapid 
grower and does well in sandy barren soil, making it 
very useful for such situations, and it is especially 
good for seashore planting. Blossoms in April and 
May, flowering profusely in delicate, feathery sprays 
of light pink and white blossoms—good for cutting. 
Viburnum. See Snowball. 
Weigelas 
The Weigela family form another very interesting 
and beautiful group of shrubs, with considerable varia¬ 
tion in color and form. While they all have their best 
blooming period in June and July, nearly all the varie¬ 
ties, especially the Eva Rathke and Candida, continue 
to blossom intermittently until fall. They thrive in 
nearl}'^ all soils, but do their best in moist loam. The 
blossoms are large and trumpet shaped, clustered thickly 
along the branches and in various colors from white to 
red. Except the Candida, they are of moderate height. 
They have good foliage, graceful form and are a charm¬ 
ing addition to any garden. They are conspicuous in 
any group, and the pink and red ones, and the varie¬ 
gated, are especially effective in base plantings and in 
borders, with or in front of larger shrubs. They are also 
well placed in groups in the corners of the yard or on 
each side of the entrance. 
Amabalis. It grows to 4 to 6 feet in height. Is a garden 
favorite with good foliage of broad dark green leaves. 
The shrub is of upright growth and blossoms abun¬ 
dantly in June with rose pink flowers of trumpet 
shape, as delicate as sea shells. 
Candida, The White Weigela. Bushy in form, grows 
6 to 8 feet in height and as much in diameter. A very 
vigorous, strong grower. Blossoms very profusely in 
June and July with a large showy white flower and 
less profusely at intervals during the rest of the sum¬ 
mer. A very valuable variety. 
Eva Rathke, The Red Weigela. A dwarf, growing 
from 3 to 5 feet high. A very choice variety of dis¬ 
tinction. It has rich dark crimson fragrant blossoms 
in profusion in June and July and continues to bloom 
at intervals till fall. The foliage is fine and the rich 
red blossoms mark it as a conspicuous shrub. It 
makes a real high light in any planting; is especially 
effective with a background of taller shrubs with white 
blossoms. No planting is complete without some of 
these. In common with the Weigela Rosea, this shrub 
should be given a chance to develop naturally and 
spread out as it wants to. Pruning injures its sym¬ 
metry. It should never be pruned unless it becomes 
necessary to take out a dead branch, and beyond that 
pruning will not be necessary. Does well in smoky and 
dusty places, making it a fine city shrub. 
Floribunda. A fine large variety, growing 5 to 6 feet 
in height, and sometimes 6 to 8 feet. It is of erect 
habit, of strong growth. It blooms in June with a 
great abundance of dark crimson flowers that are 
small and cinnabar-red in the bud. The flowers are 
fragrant. 
Rosea. Not only one of the best of this species but one 
of the choicest of all the shrubs. It grows to be 4 to 6 
feet high. It has a remarkably showy flower of trum¬ 
pet shape and of a brilliant pink. It blossoms finely 
in June and July and at intervals all summer. It has 
numerous small spreading branches and dark green 
leaves. Is useful in many situations—highly decora¬ 
tive while in bloom. When freely irrigated, it will be 
literally covered with the vivid rose-pink flowers, 
making it a very conspicuous feature in any land¬ 
scape. Does well in smoke and dust, a valuable fea¬ 
ture for city planting. Requires no pruning. 
Variegata, Variegated Leaf Weigela. The greenish- 
yellow leaves are striped with white, making this a 
very fine shrub for contrastive purposes. It brightens 
up a plantation of Weigelas or of other shrubs. It is 
very striking as a specimen plant, or in beds and bor¬ 
ders. It grows 5 to 6 feet high; has pink blossoms in 
profusion in June; is of compact graceful form. It is a 
very desirable variety. 
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana). Grows 8 to 
15 feet or more. A large shrub or small tree, with 
good foliage. Very valuable as a background to 
shrubbery, or a filler with larger trees; also because it 
is one of the last things to blossom. It has a small 
star-like or fringe-like pale yellow flower which opens 
late in October as the leaves turn golden, and remains 
till leaves are all gone. It looks well in large masses 
in extensive grounds; thrives in the bog garden or 
other wet spots; prefers the shade; is a very hardy 
native plant, with long irregular stems and branches. 
