Evening star., 1945-10-14


folia (the bridal wreath) and in
most situations found them very
satisfactory. Spirea thunbergi is
also frequently seen in Washing
ton gardens, blooming in the very
early spring. Much less common
is Reeves spirea, which is much
like the vanhouttei but less hardy
here. 1t has larger flowers which
are more snowy and longer lasting
The double form, known as lanceata
is truly lovely. We have found it
hardy.
Billardi spirea is a more Upright
growing bush. 1t is less snowy in
flower with its bright rose-colored
panicles from 4 to 8 inches
long, but it greatly prolongs the
season of bloom for the spirea.
Those gardeners who like to 60
about shipping the ends off of
branches should not do SO with
spirea billardi for the flowers come
at the ends of the new growth. OF
course, some pruning is necessary
to keep the bush shapely. 1t is fire.
quently recommended for founda-
tion planting in full sun.
A lower-growing spirea is Froe-
bels g to 4 feet. 1t is seldom
seen In local gardens but thrives in
ours. 1t has rosy-red flowers closely
resembling the widely planted An
thony Waterer spirea but with one
advantage. The new growth covers
the rather unsightly seed heads of
the first crop of flowers. 1t is very
we'll used in front of taller-groW
Ing shrubs or in any sunny spot
where a low-growng shrub is
needed.
Many gardeners have limited their
paintings of lilacs to the common
form, Syringa vulgaris, or the Per-
sian lilac, or the so-called French
hybrids. AS we have said before
these are all very fine and may be
just what you wish, but there are
others less commonly planted which
you may wish to try.
Syringa chinensis, often called
the Rouen lilac because it was origi-
mated there, is similar to S. persica
but has larger clusters of reddish
purple flowers. 1t Is a fast grower
that blooms freely.
| Two which bloom later are the
Hungarian lilac, with the queer bo-
tanical name of S. joSikaea and the
Syringa villosa. They grow much
less tall, which is an advantage in
many yards. Villosa grows to u feet
has large leaves, pale lilac or pinkish
white flowers and lacks the usual
lilac fragrance. The former has
dark green lustrous leaves and small
Violet-colored flowers in rather short
clusters.
There are two other very different
ones which are very interesting but
which the writer has not yet tried
One is S. refiexa, the nodding lilac
which grows to IL feet, and the
other is S. oblata which blooms very
early in the spring but whose leave.
turn a lovely wine red in the fall.
Rosa ecae, sometimes listed a.
r. primula, makes an EXCEPTIONAL,
good showing in the early spring
The creamy white flowers are borne
in great profusion in late April OF
early May. The thorny 6 to s
foot bush has spfny, aromatic foli-
age. It's large red hips make it at
tracttve during the winter season
1t seems to be relatively free from
blackspot and requires very little
care.
The Jetbead (Rhodotypus sea-
dens) is another spring Towering
shrub MAY and June) suitable fol
the sunny border where its large
four -petaled white flowers make ar
effective showing. It's clean, bright
green foliage is especially noticeable
in the fall. 1t varies in height from
to 6 feet and will thrive in the
heaviest clay soil, even under the
crowded shaded conditions otter
found in the city.
| The name "Jetbead" comes from
the shiny black fruits which viii
hang on all winter. 1t is commonly
known as white kerria, seemingly 6
study in black and white.
The oakleaf hydrangea Oh. querci.
folia) is commanding more atten.
ton Of late years for moist situation.
In sunny or partially shaded yards
| TIE larue fnIio oo mould Soa,,o - -, - L.,