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ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3
VOLUME I
GRAY HERBARIUM
HARVARD UNIVERSI'OI
ILLUSTRATIONS
Aesculus parviflora, 63
Amelanchier grandiflora, 11
Cotoneaster bullata floribunda, 67
Hydrangea paniculata praecox, 55
Kalmia latifolia, 47
Kolkwitzia amabilis, 43
Magnolia Soulangeana, 7
Mains theifera, 19
Philadelphus splendens, 51
Prunus serrulata Shogetsu, 23
Prunus subhirtella, 3
Rhododendron roseum, 27
Rhododendron Smirnowii, 39
Rosa spinosissima altaica, 35
Tripterygium Regelii, 59
Tsuga caroliniana, 71
Viburnum Carlesii, 15
Wistaria floribunda alba, 31
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I APRIL 23, 1927 NO. 1
Spring, which made a furtive effort in mid-March, is now here in a
hurry. In fact, the temperature today (April 20) is more that of
summer than of Spring. On March 8 the Chinese Witch-hazel
(Hanunnelis mollis) and the Silver Maple {Acer saccharinum) were
in flower; on the tenth the Japanese Witch-hazel {Hamamelis japoyi-
ica) opened its blossoms; on the twelfth pretty Ey'ica carnea was
crowded with pink bells; on the fifteenth Ribes ceremn was in open
leaf and blossoms on the north China Peach (Priimis Davidiana)
were showing color. There was every prospect of a very early season
but the weather changed and Spring was deferred another month.
Winter effects. The winter has seemed unusually long, snow fell
the first week in December and lay on the ground until March. During
December there were several heavy falls of snow but the other winter
months were marked by only moderate snowfalls. No extremely low
temperatures were recorded in the Arboretum and frost did not
penetrate any great depth into the ground. So far as the soil itself
fared it is many years since the ground was workable so early.
Although long, the winter has been decidedly mild and the trees and
shrubs in the Arboretum have suffered little or no damage. A few
Carolina Hemlocks and the Japanese Black Pine (Pmus T hunhergii)
got scorched. The Cedars of Lebanon on Bussey Hill, the Rhododen-
drons, Kalmias and other broad-leaved evergreens came through in
splendid condition. The Azaleas, Crabapples, Cherries and other
deciduous trees and shrubs give promise of plenteous blossom. There
will, however, be no Lilac display this year. Owing to impoverished
conditions it has been necessary to prune the Lilac bushes severely and
liberally fertilize the soil. By this treatment and allowing them a
year in which to recuperate there should be a fine display in 1928.
For the public’s sake it is a pity that the Lilacs had to be given a
year’s grace but there is a limit to the endurance of even the good
natured Lilac.
Prunus Davidiana. The forcing effects of the warm weather in
early March threatened danger to early flowering plants but ap-
1
2
parently no real harm was done. Both the white and pink forms of
Primus Davidiana opened their blossoms early in April only to be
destroyed by frost. This tree is too precocious for these latitudes.
It rarely happens that a Spring passes without its flowers being
partially or wholly destroyed. Where the climate is less changeable
it should be a valuable early flowering tree. In the Middle West as
a stock on which to graft Peaches it is well appreciated but it ought
to be grown widely as an ornamental.
Apricots. For the climate of Massachusetts the Manchurian Apricot
(Primus mandshurica) is likely to prove a first-class Spring flowering
tree. During the last week-end a tree on the right hand side of
Meadow Road, on the edge of Robina group, has been a beautiful
picture. About 20 feet tall, with a flattened, irregular crown spreading
full 25 feet, every branch of the tree was studded with deep pink
flower buds which as they opened became pale colored. We noticed
that bees were particularly busy and on Sunday last the tree was
alive with them. This Apricot is native of Korea and Manchuria,
where it grows some 30 feet tall and has a short massive trunk
covered with thick corky bark which shows red beneath the surface.
It has been growing in the Arnold Arboretum since 1906 but this year
has flowered much more profusely than ever before. At the moment
the Siberian Apricot (Prunus sihirica) is a mass of white and, so
too, is a Japanese form of the Common Apricot (P. armrniaca)
known as mikado. These three Apricots are well worth the attention
of tree-lovers and nurserymen. They are suited for planting on
lawns and near houses; also they would be valuable for town gardens
and small parks in the heart of cities.
Forsythias. The bank of Forsythias by the Lilac collection is now
strung with yellow bells and in a day or two will be a blaze of rich
yellow. These Oriental shrubs are everywhere great favorites but
it is regrettable that their care, especially the matter of pruning,
is so little understood. As one sees them in gardens generally they
are shorn of beauty through ignorant pruning. If people would only
cut them immediately after their flowering is passed they would have
graceful bushes hugging the ground instead of the broom-like masses
one so frequently sees. It cannot be too often stated that all shrubs
which flower on the past season’s growth should be pruned immediate-
ly after flowering and thus be given a long season for making and
ripening new flowering wood. All the Forsythias are good. The best
is, undoubtedly, F. intermedia spectabilis, which has larger and
richer yellow blossoms than the others. Massachusetts is about the
northern limit of the Chinese Forsythias and their hybrids. The
Korean species (F. ovata) with small pale yellow flowers is much the
hardiest and although the flowers are smaller and the color not so
deep it promises to be a valuable shrub for northern New England and
even the valley of the St. Lawrence. It is native of the Diamond
Mountains in north-central Korea and was introduced into the Arnold
Arboretum by Wilson in 1917. As a screen for draping walls and
large boulders the old F. suspensa with its long, whip-like branches
is still the best.
The Japanese Spring Cherry {Prunus suhhirtella)
4
Japanese Cherries. By the time this bulletin reaches its readers
the Japanese single-flowered Cherries will be at the height of their
glory. The two round-topped shrub-like trees of the Spring Cherry
(Prumis subhirtella) on the right within the Forest Hills Gate are
bearing their usual luxuriant crop of blossoms which are deep pink
in the bud becoming paler as they open and almost white when full
blown. This splendid tree is not surpassed in beauty by any Spring
flowering tree. Unfortunately, being a garden type of a larger much
less free-blooming tree known as Prunus subhh'tella ascendens, the
Spring Cherry does not come true from seeds. It must be propagated
by budding or grafting on seedlings of the parent stock. It can be
rooted from cuttings but these seem difficult to establish and especially
to transplant. The Rosebud Cherry {Primus subhirtella pendula)
is well-known although one rarely sees a real good specimen. This
also should be grafted or budded on its wild parent (Primus sub-
hirtella ascendens). A small percentage will come true from seeds,
so by sowing a large quantity of seeds, selecting and training, it should
be possible to get large specimens of the Rosebud Cherry on its own
roots. A small tree of the semi-double so-called Autumn-flowering
Cherry (Primus subhirtella autumnalis) is carrying a fine crop of
blossoms on the right within the Forest Hills Gate. This is a pre-
cocious tree of small size perhaps best described as a bush with
ascending, spreading, twiggy branches and semi-double pink blos-
soms produced either in October or in the Spring. Like all its family
it is worth a place in every garden. The Mount Fuji Cherry (Pnmus
incisa) is again covered with pure white, yellow-anthered blossoms.
As the petals fall the calyx becomes reddish and Anally crimson
adding beauty to the plant for several days. The Sargent Cherry
(Prunus serrulata sachalinensis) is opening its rich pink fading to
white blossoms and promises as fine a display as usual. This, the
largest and hardiest of all the Japanese Cherries, ought to be planted
as an avenue tree and as a specimen on lawns and in parks. Being
surface-rooting Cherries are good for shallow soils and blossoming
early they are splendid for city parks. The Tokyo Cherry (Pnmus
tjedoensis) is also in bloom. Although less hardy than the Sargent
Cherry this is a very rapid growing tiee with a wide-spreading dome-
shaped crown. It is this Tokyo Cherry that makes the display on the
banks of the Potomac in Washington, D. C. We are almost on its
northern limits here but from Long Island south it ought to be
planted as an avenue tree or as a single specimen in great quantities.
Its white flushed with pink flowers are borne in the utmost pro-
fusion although, as a matter of fact, this applies to all the Cherries
of the Orient. E. H. W.
The subscription to this Bulletin is $1.00 per year.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I APRIL 27. 1927 NO. 2
Asiatic Ma^fnolias. With their large flowers opening before the
leaves appear these are the most magnificent of early flowering
shrubs and trees. The first of the group to expand its blossoms is
the Star Magnolia {Magnolia stellata) , a plant which came to
America from Japan in 1862 but whose origin in a wild state is
still undetermined. It is a much-branched bush or small tree pro-
ducing in great quantity snow-white star-shape flowers the petals of
which are loose and reflexed. The blossoms are delightfully fragrant
filling the air with pleasant aromatic odor. With the excep-
tion of the Kobushi {M. kobiis) it is the hardiest of the Magnolias
but its blossoms opening early are apt to suffer from frost. This
year the erratic weather in early April scorched a few blossoms but
on the whole the plants outside the Administration Building have
never been finer. Nearby three shapely bushes of the pink form
(rosea) are now in full bloom. These are quite a good pink in the
bud but when expanded the flowers are almost white. The most
northern of the Asiatic Magnolias and the hardiest is M. kohus na-
tive of Japan and southern Korea, This is a large tree growing
from 60 to 70 ft. tall with a broad pyramidal crown. The flowers
are pure white, loose petalled, fragrant and abundantly produced.
The white and purple Yulans have been favorites in Chinese gardens
from the 7th century of the Christian Era and were among the
earliest plants brought from the Orient mto western gardens. The
White Yulan (M. denudata more widely known as M. conspicua) ,
is perfectly hardy in the Arboretum, It is a tree of moderate size
with large milk-white chalices aplenty. The Purple Yulan (M.
iilifiora or M. purpurea as it is commonly called) is much less hardy
and so far we have failed to establish it in the Arboretum. More
popular in American gardens than either of the Yulans is Magnolia
Soulangeana, a hybrid between the two which originated in France
in 1820. There are now many forms of the handsome Magnolia
varying in color from nearly white through varying shades of pink to
rich wine-red or crimson-purple. In front of the Administration
Building several named varieties of this Magnolia are now opening-
abundant blossom. The White Yulan and the Soulange Magnolia
S
6
do extraordinarily well in town gardens and city parks, where they
are extremely valuable on account of the earliness of their flowering.
In cities, like Hartford, Connecticut, and Rochester, New York, many
magnificent specimens of these Magnolias may be seen. When one
considers that the natural home of Magnolias is moist woods it is
strange that they can withstand the vitiated atmosphere and arid
conditions of cities. The wondrous beauty of these Asiatic Magnolias
has caused them to be widely planted in America. The stock was
drawn from Europe, principally Belgium and Holland, but since plant
quarantine has come into effect this source of supply has been cut off
and these Magnolias are scarcely obtainable at any price. It is to be
hoped that American nurserymen will seriously set about the task
of raising them in quantity. They may be propagated readily by
layering and also by grafting. The strong growing Magnolia kobns,
which ripens its seeds freely in this climate, would make an excel-
lent stock; another that can be used is the Cucumber-tree {Magnolia
acuminata) native of eastern North America.
The Chinese Almond. One of the most delightful of Spring flower-
ing shrubs is the Chinese Almond {Prunus triloba) of which three
forms are growing just within the Forest Hills Gate. The oldest and
best known has very double, pink, rose-like flowers, each about an inch
across, borne freely along the whole length of the past season’s shoot.
More beautiful with deep pink, semi-double flowers with conspicuous
yellow-anthered stamens is the form multiplex, which was introduced
into the Arboretum from near Pekin by Purdom in 1909. The plants
were raised from seed and one of the originals may be seen a picture
of loveliness at this moment among the Chinese shrubs on top of
Busses Hill. The simple-flowered form {simplex) has been growing
here since 1883 when it was raised from seeds sent from Pekin by
Dr. E. Bretschneider. The third and fourth generation of the original
plants may be seen clothed with pure pink blossoms on the edge of the
Shrub Garden by a small pond. The Chinese Almond is, as a rule,
a short-lived plant but by the Parkman monument on the edge of
Jamaica Pond there is growing a magnificent specimen in perfect
health and 60 feet round. The double flowered forms benefit from
hard pruning after the flowers have fallen. We have seen them
grown to advantage espalier fashion against walls. After flowering
the shoots are cut hard back to the old wood, new growth is quickly
formed and this flowers abundantly the following year. This system
may be recommended to these who garden in the colder parts of New
Elngland and in the St. Lawrence Valley.
Prunus tomentosa. This broad, rounded Oriental shrub with mul-
titude of thin, whip-like stems is now opening its white tinged witn
pink blossoms just within the Forest Hills Gate. It is a very hardy
plant and has recently come into favor in the middle and western
states for its fruit, which is scarlet, cherry-like and of pleasant sub-
acid flavor. Like its relative it is not a long-lived plant but may be
easily propagated by seeds. Wide-spread in the Orient it is found
in quantity throughout southern Korea, Manchuria, northern and
western China. A number of forms have been distinguished by
The favorite Magnolia Soulangeana.
8
botanists but the differences are technical and have no garden sig-
nificance.
Chinese Pears. The Chinese Pears on top of Bussey Hill and those
on the left of Forest Hills Gate and in the collection at the foot of
Peter’s Hill are opening their blossoms. The first to blo( m is Pyrua
iissuriensis, native of northeastern continental Asia, where it grows
to a very large size. In Korea trees 60 ft. tall with rounded crowns
spreading 75 ft. and trunks 10 ft. in girth are not uncommon. In
northeastern Asia it Has been long cultivated as a fruit tree and some
of the selected varieties produce quite good fruit. This is green,
round to ovoid in shape, with firm gritty white flesh rich in sugary
juice. On some trees the flowers are pink in the bud and suggest
the familiar apple-blossom. The Chinese Sand Pear {Pyrus serotbi't)
has a similarly hard juicy fruit but is russet-brown without and
varies enormously in size. This tree is wild in the woods of central
China and has been long cultivated in China from whence it passed to
Korea and Japan. It grows from 50 to 60 ft. tall, has a more or
less pyramidal though sometimes a flattened round crown and pro-
duces large pure white blossoms. It is really very ornamental when
in flower. The wild type has russet-brown flattened round fruits
each about an inch in diameter. A relative with smaller flowers
found wild in the same part of China is Pyrus serrulata. A species
which promises to be of great value to fruit growers in this country
on account of its virtual immunity to Pear blight is P. CuUeryana.
This is a tree of variable size exhibiting diversity in shape of foliage,
found in a wild state from southern Japan and Korea throughout
a great part of China. The flowers, borne together in rounded clus-
ters, are small with white petals and prominent pink-anthered sta-
mens. The fruit is brown and about the size of a garden pea.
Introduced into this country by the Arboretum through seeds sent
by Wilson in 1907, it has grown rapidly and for several years past
has flow'ered and fruited each season. Seeds in great quantity have
been disseminated far and wide in this country for the purpose of
raising plants for use as understock on which to graft garden Pears.
If its immunity to Pear blight be maintained this tree will prove to
be one of the most valuable introductions to orchards this country has
enjoyed.
Shadblows. The earliest Shadblow to blossom {Amelanchier cana-
densis) is now in full bloom. It is native of western Massachusetts
and western New York south to the Gulf states. Described by Lin-
naeus in 1753 other sorts have usurped the name and the true plant
has long been rare in gardens. It is a tree, at its maximum full 60
ft. tall with a trunk 5 ft. in girth, with a dense round-topped crown
of thin branches; the flowers as they open are often tinged with
pink and are produced in ascending and nodding racemes. The flow-
ers expand at the same time as the leaves which are clothed with a
floss and the whole tree is wreathed in snowy whiteness. E. H. W.
The subscription to this Bulletin is $1.00 per year.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. i APRIL 30. 1927 NO. 3
Shadblows. To the Rose family gardens are indebted for many of
their finest plants in herb and bush and tree and among these must be
counted the Shadbushes, Shadblows, Juneberries or Service-trees as
they are variously called. The tribal name is Amelanchier and the
trivial name Shadblow or Shadbush is in allusion to the fact that they
blossom in the time when the Shadfish ascends the streams from
the ocean. Juneberry denotes that the berries ripen in the month of
June and Service-tree that the fruit is edible. In Europe the native
species is known as the Snowy Mespilus. These plants are essentially
American being found wild from Labrador south to the Gulf and from
Newfoundland west to the Yukon. One outlying member is native of
Europe, another of China and Japan but in America the species are
many and the plants themselves multitudinous. Most of the species
are many-stemmed bushes but about five of them are trees of moderate
size. They constitute a very important floral feature of our spring
landscapes and their tinted foliage in autumn adds much to the bril-
liant autumn pageant. They abound in thickets, on the margins of
woodlands, in swamps and open moorlands. With few exceptions the
flowers are star-shape, white, with relatively long, narrow spreading
petals and borne in short, slender, spreading and ascending racemes.
The leaves, which unfold at the same time or immediately after the
blossoms, are usually clothed with a white floss of hairs and the whole
plant appears sheeted in snow-white. In a few species the flowers as
they open are tinted pink and in one common tree-type the young
leaves in pleasing contrast with the rest of the family are red-purple.
All have slender branchlets of delicate tracery. In the spring land-
scapes they suggest waves of spindrift of snowy whiteness, floating or
suspended through wood and thicket. A strong family likeness per-
vades the group. All have smooth steel-gray bark, hard and heavy
wood, slender branches and oval to roundish leaves variously toothed
on the margin. The fruit is edible and in some sorts quite palatable.
Their cultivation is easy for they thrive in any ordinary soil provided
it is not too alkaline or permanently waterlogged. They rather like
limestone and love good loam and leafsoil. The bushy types send up
suckers freely from the roots and soon make thickets. These are
10
splendid for boundary planting or for the wild garden. The tree sorts
are fine as specimens a little removed from the dwelling house, where
their beauty may be glimpsed from the windows. All are easily propa-
gated by seed and the bush forms may be increased by lifting the
sucker-growth and by layering. Although they fill a niche and add
welcome beauty to any garden, Shadblows are difficult to procure.
Their loveliness notwithstanding, nurserymen have treated them with
contumely for are they net common native plants? A few of the more
enlightened and progressive, however, are beginning to catalogue them,
which is an encouraging sign of the awakening that is taking place.
In the Arboretum these plants have been extensively planted along
the drives, and on the edge of woods two species {A, laevis and A. oh-
longifolia) are native.
Tree Shadblows. In the last Bulletin we told that the earliest Shad-
blow to blossom is Amelanchier canadensis and as its petals fall and
the white fluff of its foliage is Hung off the flowers of A. laevis, a
second tree species, expand. This has red-brown young leaves almost
destitute of hairs and in fine contrast erect or nodding racemes of
white flowers. Widespread from Newfoundland south this is a tree up
to 50 ft. tall with a trunk 5 ft. in girth and a rather open narrow
crown. The ruddy tinted young foliage gives to it distinction and
character and associated with other deciduous trees it is most effective
in springtime. One of the loveliest of all is A. grandifiora, a natural
hybrid between these two species. Like its parents this is a tree but
the flowers are much larger than those of any other American Shad-
blow. The blooms also last long in unsullied whiteness and the plant
stands forth an aristocrat. This hybrid grows wild in the woods round
Rochester, New York, where a lovely form of it (rubescens) with rose-
tinted blossoms ahso occurs. The third American tree species is A.
alnifolia known to the Indians as the Saskatoon. It is a slender tree,
rarely exceeding 25 ft. in height, with a loose crown or irregular shape
and white flowers in erect racemes opening at the same time as the
leaves which are densely clad with an evanescent white floss. Its fruits
are sweet and juicy, nearly globose in shape, dark blue-black, often
three-quarters of an inch in diameter, larger and more valuable than
those of any other Shadblow. Found over an immense area of country
from the southwestern shores of Lake Superior west and northwest
to the Valley of the Yukon River it is a most important tree to the
Indians who gather and dry the fruit which serves them as an article
of food.
Bush Shadblows. The largest of the bush Shadblows is .1. oblongi-
folia, a very common species through eastein North America. This
shrub grows 18 ft. tall and forms dense ovoid clumps of many erect
.stems sometimes 12 ft. through. Its flowers and leaves with white
cottony covering unfold at the same time. Throughout New England
this species is a conspicuous feature of the landscape in spring with
its blossoms, in June with its wealth of fruit and in autumn with its
vari-colored foliage. Another shrubby Shadblow is A. spicata which
grows from 6 to 10 ft. tall and is distinguished by its erect dense-
flowered racemes. A. humilis is dwarf and twiggy and A. stolonifera
Loveliest of the Shadblows {Amelanchier grandijlora).
12
spreading from underground stems forms low thickets. Both are well
suited to the wild garden. So, too, is A. florida, native of the North-
west, which produces a mass of erect stems from 8 to 10 ft. tall and
has rich yellow autumn foliage. Handsome also are .4. sanguinea and
.4. amabilis, both shrubs of good size with relatively large blossoms.
Quite distinct is A. Bartramiana an inhabitant of bog lands from
Labrador southward with large milk-white, saucer-shaped flowers
solitary or rarely in few-flowered clusters. Growing from a few inches
to a full yard tall it is a floriferous little plant of twiggy habit.
The European Shadblow. The European Siiadblow is known by sev-
eral names, most widely perhaps as A. vulgarui but correctly as A.
ovalis. It is the oldest known Amelanchier and has been in cultivation
for upwards of two hundred years. A native of central and southern
Europe it is usually a shrub but under favorable conditions forms a
good-shaped tvee from 18 to 25 ft. in height. It has stouter branchlets,
fatter and more ovoid winter buds than its American kindred. Also
it produces the largest flowers of any species, each blossom being often
IV2 inches across and clustered in erect racemes. The leaves with their
coat of woolly hairs unfold at the same time and the whole plant ap-
pears mantled in white, hence in Europe it is called Snowy Mespilus.
About four other species are natives of southeastern Europe and west-
ern Asia but are not in cultivation.
The Oriental Shadblow. The Oriental Shij<lblow is .4. asiaticit, a
small tree from 15 to 25 ft. tall, with a flattened crown of irregular
outline. It is rare in Japan and Korea but in central China a variety,
named siuica, is one of the most common and most beautiful of the
lesser trees. An inhabitant of thickets and thin woods it is abundantly
floriferous and in spring the trees are conspicuous from afar. The
flowers are large, white as driven snow, and produced in nodding
racemes. Unlike all other Shadblows the fruits do not ripen until late
September or October and unless eaten by birds hang on the trees
throughout the winter.
Prinsepia sinensis. In the Shrub Garden a large, dome-shaped bush
of this fine shrub is in full blossom; there is anotner less shapely spec-
imen on Centre Street Path. The arching, spreading branches are
densely clothed with clusters of yellow plum-like blossoms which emit
a strong odor of almonds. The fruit is plum-like, enclosing a flattened
prettily sculptured stone. This plant has been growing in the Arbor-
etum since 1903 and has never known winter injury. Its name, not-
withstanding, it never knew China, its home being the adjacent country
of Manchuria where a harsh climate prevails. Among the Chinese
plants on Bussey Hill a white-flowered species (P. umfiora), introduced
through Purdom in 1911, is loaded with flower-buds which will open
later. Though not so fine as its yellow'-flowered sister this is a good
plant especially for rocky places. To those interested in the curious it
may be worth noting that among the great Rose family this small genus
Prinsepia is the only one that has a lamellate j)ith. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I MAY 7. 1927 NO. 4
The Prunus Tribe are the first trees to blossom in spring and so num-
erous are the members that different sorts are in bloom over a period
of at least five weeks. Our first Bulletin told of certain single-flowered
Japanese Cherries. Their double-flowering brethren will open their
flowers in another week when they shall receive due recognition. The
Sargent Cherry near the Forest Hills Gate is aglow with ruddy-tinted
young leaves and nearby is a shapely tree of Prunus avium (the Gean
or Mazzard) laden with pure white blossoms. This is a handsome tree
of more or less pyramidal habit, growing 60 feet tall, with a trunk,
occasionally 6 feet in girth, clothed with polished, chestnut-brown bark.
It is a native of Europe and the Sweet Cherries of our orchards are
descended from it. There is a double-flowered form {plena) which
opens its blossoms a week later than the type. In bud the flowers are
flushed delicate pink but when fully expanded they are pure white, an
inch to an inch and a half across, with about thirty to forty petals
lasting long in beauty. It has been known for two centuries, but like
many other good trees is all too rarely seen in American gardens.
Prunus Cerasus. Later to blossom is P. Cerasus, the Sour Cherry,
also native of Europe but as an ornamental much inferior to the Gean.
There are, however, two double-flowered forms of this Cherry of great
value. One known as plena has semi-double flowers, white, each one and
a half inches across. This is a round-topped tree, seldom more than 25
feet tall, with a thick trunk clothed with rugged, dark gray bark.
More double are the flowers on the variety Rhexii, often known as mul-
tiplex or ra n.nnculi flora, which is characterized by very double flowers
in which two green leafy pistils stand prominently forth. The flowers
are of the purest white, an inch and one half across, drooping from
long stalks. J’he tree is a worthy rival of the double-flowered Gean
which blossoms two weeks earlier. Prunus Cerasus is the parent of
the Morello Cherries of our orchards. There are several other forms
of the Gean and Sour Cherry but those mentioned are the best and
most worthy.
Prunus japonica Nakaii. An old denizen of gardens is P. japonica,
a twiggy shrub, growing from three to five feet tall, native of the
U
14
Orient and found here and there in New England as a naturalized plant.
Just within the Forest Hills Gate, on the right, is a bed of P. japonica
Nakaii, which is the Korean representative of the species. This is
flowering freely for the first time and is a pretty little shrub. The
branches are twiggy, erect, and clad from bottom to top with fascicles
of flowers, tinted pale pink in the bud, pure white when expanded.
It differs from the type in the leaves being pubescent on the under
side and glabrous, or nearly so, above. The fruit is round, about a quar-
ter of an inch in diameter, dark scarlet and quite attractive. A com-
mon plant by the wayside and on bare mountain slopes in Korea, it
was introduced into cultivation by the Arboretum through seeds col-
lected by Wilson in 1917. Our experience is that it transplants badly
from the open ground and should be grown in pots.
American Plums. The flowers have fallen from the Canadian Plum,
P. nigra, the first of the American Plums to open blossoms but those
of P. americana are just expanding. This is a variable plant, wide-
spread from Massachusetts west to Manitoba and south to Georgia, and
cultivated since 1768. It is a round-topped tree, seldom exceeding
twenty feet in height, with dense intricately placed branches and a
wealth of small, white. Hawthorn-like scented blossoms. Quite a num-
ber of pomological varieties are in cultivation. This and other tree-
species of American Plums are valuable for planting in groups on the
edge of woods, in glades or at vantage points some distance removed
from the house. More valuable for garden purposes is Prunns mari-
tima, the Sand or Beach Plum, a very common plant on Cape Cod and
elsewhere along the eastern coast of the United States. This is any-
thing from a bush hugging the ground to a broad-topped shrub ten feet
tall. Its abundant pure white blossoms form a pleasing picture in the
spring; later fruits, red or purple, round or oblong in shape and from
one half to an inch in diameter, crowd the branches. There is also a
form {flava) with yellow fruits. The Beach Plum is another native
plant which has been too much neglected. For planting in sandy places
there is of its class nothing better; also it does well in rocky ground.
For shore gardens it should be planted in masses and in quantity.
Oriental Quinces. In the Shrub Garden one of the long beds is filled
with different varieties of Oriental Quinces which are descended from
two distinct species. These are bushes of sprawling habit whose irreg-
ularly placed shoots give much character to the plants The flowers
vary from pure white (nivalis) to dark fiery crimson (Simonii); some
are flesh-colored, others shades of pink, red and scarlet. The more
robust growing of the two species has long been known as Cydonia
japonica, abbreviated by the gardening fraternity to plain japonica,
but its correct name is Chaenomeles lagenaria. It is one of the plants
long cultivated in the Orient and by Buddhists carried far and wide.
Its name notwithstanding, it never knew Japan except as a cultivated
plant, its home being central China where Wilson found it wild in 1900.
Visitors to Cape Cod and other places in Massachusetts at this sea.son
of the year will note here, there, and everywhere, fine bushes or even
hedges of the C. lagenaria. In Japan, especially in grassy open areas,
another Quince is wild in great abundance. This is widely known in
Clove-scented Viburnum Carlesii
16
gardens as C. Maulei hut its correct name is C. japonica. This is less
robust than its Chinese sister with twiggy branches hugging the ground
and orange-red passing to scarlet flowers. Both species bear ovoid
fragrant fruits of no comestible value. Their charm is in the beauty
of flower and habit of growth. Old favorites are they, yet it is difficult
to procure these plants from nurserymen today. There is no reason
why this should be so since they can be raised from seeds and may be
easily increased by division, by layering, and by root-cuttings.
Pieris floribunda. This evergreen bush with panicled masses or urn-
shaped flowers, and valuable on account of its hardiness, is not flower-
ing so freely this year. More handsome with lustrous foliage and larger
flowers is the Japanese P. japonica, which unfortunately can be only
just kept alive in the Arboretum. The different Vacciniums are open-
ing their multitudinous blossoms and with their young tinted foliage
are conspicuous, none more so than the Highbush Bluebeiry {V. corym-
bosum), a feature of swamps and open places everywhere in this part
of the world. On drier places it has a rival in the low-growing V.
pennsyivanicum, an excellent native ground-cover. The Leather-leaf
(Chamaedaphne calyculata) is also in blossom, each twiggy shoot ter-
minating in a raceme of white urn-shaped flowers. This is a circum-
polar plant that might be more freely used in gardens. It can be seen
in bloom with other of its relatives in the Shrub Garden. Nearby is
twiggy stemmed, pink-blossomed Andromeda yla ncophylla, with ever-
green, ascending, rosemary-like leaves, dark green above and white
below. This is a boreal plant found from Newfoundland and Labrador
west to Manitoba. Another species, .4. poUfolia, extends from Idaho
westward to the Pacific coast and throughout northern Asia into north
and central p]urope.
Viburnum Carlesii. The first of the Viburnums to open its blos.soms
is the rare V. frayranfi from China, and this is followed by V. ulni-
foliiim, the native Moose wood or Hobblebush. This familiar plant is
wide-spread in woodlands throughout New England and elsewhere in
eastern North America, but is exceedingly difficult to cultivate. In
nature it favors moist places but the best plant in the Arboretum is
on a dry bank beneath the Birches. The Hobblebush forms its flower
clusters in the autumn and cut branches brought into a warm house
in late February and March will open their flowers in water. There is
a variety ypraecox) which blossoms about three weeks earlier than the
type. Next in order of blooming is the Korean V. Carlesii, whose
blossoms distil a fragrant scent of cloves which fills the air around.
This shrub is now getting properly known in gardens and appreciated
on account of its sterling qualities. Unfortunately, plants on their
own roots are difficult to come by and those grafted after a few years
cease to grow freely and remain stunted in habit and ultimately die.
In the Viburnum Collection near Centre Street Gate may be seen two
fine specimens of Carles’ Viburnum, which are on their own roots and
at the moment covered with conspicuous rounded clusters of flowers,
waxy in texture, each pink-tinted in the bud and pure white when
fully expanded. Among early-flowering shrubs this is Korea’s great
gift to our gardens. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I MAY 12, 1927 NO. 5
Asiatic Crabapples are not exceeded in beauty and hardiness by any
tribe of plants and yet they are comparatively rare in American gar-
dens. A few species like Malus Halliayia, M. floribunda and M. spec-
tabilis are fairly well-known, while here and there in city parks, such
as those of Rochester, New York, several others may be seen in all their
beauty. But really there should be no garden, even a suburban gar-
den, without its Crabapple-tree. Lovers of breeze and sunshine and
rugged of constitution, Crabapples are well suited to the rigorous
climate of northeastern America. Wherever the Common Apple can
be grown its sisters and brothers will flourish and many of them are
able to withstand greater cold than our favorite fruit-tree. A good
loam, rather on the stiff side, is ideal for Crabapples and they do not
by any means object to lime. As to site, provided it is open and ex-
posed, they are not particular, though a hillside or slope is preferable.
Their common pests are scale-insects and a white woolly aphis known
as American blight. The former may easily be kept down by spraying
in late winter with Lime-sulphur or Imperial Soap (one gallon to eight
gallons of water). The blight is destroyed by spraying in summer with
Imperial Soap (one gallon to thirty gallons of water).
The flowers of many Asiatic Crabapples are bright rose-pink in the
bud changing to white as they expand. Such are those of M. floribunda
and M. theifera. Those of M. Sargentii, M. toringoides, M. baccata
and its forms are pure white. In M. spectabilis the flowers are pink
fading to nearly white, and in M. Halliana they are bright rose-pink
becoming slightly paler as they age. The flowers are followed by an
abundant crop of small fruits, in most species scarcely larger than a
good-sized, marrow-fat pea, either crimson, wine-red, yellow, or red
and yellow, but in a few dull greenish red. The flowers last about a
week ; the fruits for several months, indeed in several species they
remain fresh in appearance throughout the winter. In spring the
branches from tip to base are plumes of blossoms, in autumn they are
brilliantly jewelled with fruits. Of the Asiatic Crabapples, M. Halli-
ana, M. floribunda and M. spectabilis are not particularly difficult to
obtain. The Japanese and many people in eastern North America con-
17
18
sider M. Halliana the finest of all Asiatic Crabapples. Certainly it is
the most handsome of all with colored flowers. It is a tree-like shrub,
sometimes 15 feet tall, with a broad bushy crown of ascending-spread-
ing branches and twiggy branchlets and rather sparse, comparatively
thick, dark green leaves deeply tinged with bronze-color when they
unfold. The flowers, each on a long slender stalk, are borne in clus-
ters and are bright rose-color but the pea-like fruit, which ripens late,
is greenish red and unattractive. The flowers vary from nearly single
to semi-double and the central one of each cluster is usually male.
Food for Birds. Did we ask our feathered friends the season of the
Crabapples they would certainly answer the fall. To those who love
birds, Crabapples have treble values, since to the aesthetic qualities of
flowers and attractive autumn fruits they add that of providing winter
food in quantity. And beautiful are these plants at that season laden
with myriads of small, brightly colored fruits. Indeed Crabapples claim
and must be granted two seasons : late spring for their blossoms,
autumn for their fruits.
Where to Plant. The abundance of flowers and fruits produced by
these plants is truly astounding and no tribe gives greater returns.
Near the house no small tree could be more attractive than the shapely
Malus Halliana with clustered rose-pink, pendent, more or less double
flowers; on a bank, with its bottom branches hugging the ground, the
low, broad white-flowered M. Sargentii is splendid. For the flower
garden many sorts are good, none more so than the old favorite M.
spectahiiis, with pink, semi-double blossoms and the new M. theifera,
with white flowers, rose-pink in the bud. As a flowering tree in the
open landscape, M. baccata rnandahurica, with an oval crown full fifty
feet tall, the lower branches sweeping the ground and pure white,
fragrant flowers, cannot be excelled. 'I'his and other tall kinds may
also be planted with advantage on the edges of woods, especially where
Oak trees predominate. An occasional Pine, Fir, or Spruce well to
the rear adds greatly to the landscape effect.
Malus floribunda. Perhaps the best known and by some considered
the finest Crabapple of the Orient is M, floribunda. This is a broad,
round topped tree, sometimes thirty feet tall and more in diameter of
crown, with a tangle of branches and masses of slender, arching and
pendent branchlets. The clustered flowers are white when fully ex-
panded, bright rose-pink in bud, and as they open in succession the
contrast is singularly beautiful. A cascade of myriad flowers symbol-
izes this Crabapple when in full bloom. In 1883 there appeared in the
Arnold Arboretum among some presumed seedlings of M. floribunda. a
very distinct plant which has since been named M. arnoldiana. It has
the habit and abundant flowers of M. floribunda but the flowers and
fruit are nearly twice as large. Now these four Crabapples are ad-
mittedly princes of a very large family but there are many other mem-
bers whose merits are deserving of the widest recognition. Space
does not permit of an exhaustive list but the following ought to be
widely known and planted freely:
Mai US theifera
20
Malus baccata mandshurica. First of the Crabapples to burst into
bloom is the fragrant Malus baccata mandshurica, native of north-
eastern Asia. This tree is one of the largest of its tribe and produces
an abundance of pure white flowers, each rather more than one inch
across and more fragrant than those of any other Asiatic Crabapple.
In a wild state it is often more than fifty feet tall, with short, thick
trunk and a broad, bell-shaped crown. Its fruits, each no larger than
a good-sized pea, are yellow or shining red.
Malus Sargentii. The pigmy of the Crabapple family is M. Sargentii,
with umbellate clusters of saucer-shape flowers of the purest white, in
which nestle a tiny group of stamens tipped with clear yellow anthers.
It is a low, densely branched shrub which hugs the ground, and is pre-
eminently suited for planting on banks. The fruit is wine-red, covered
with a slight bloom, and long persistent. From the salt marshes of
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, came this gem, discov-
ered and introduced and fittingly named for the man who brought the
Arnold Arboretum into being some fifty-four years ago.
Malus theifera. Rigid of branch, with wands of blossoms often fif-
teen feet long, the Chinese M. theifera is the very quintessence of
Crabapple loveliness. It is a small tree, seldom exceeding twenty feet
in height, with sparse upright and spreading rather zigzag branches,
which are densely studded from base to tip with short flower-bearing
spurs. When in blossom the whole branch is transformed into a floral
plume into which it is impossible to thrust a finger without touching
a flower. The petals are reddish pink in the folded bud, white or deli-
cately stained with pale pink when fully expanded. The fruit is tiny,
dull greenish red and not showy. Its specific name is derived from
the fact that in central China, where it is a feature of the thickets
and margins of woods on the mountains, the peasants collect and dry
the leaves and from them prepare a palatable beverage which they call
red tea.
Malus toringoides. Like a Hawthorn in foliage, the leaves being
deeply incised and lobed, though some of them are quite entire, and
with fruit like a white heart cherry is M. toringoides, a newcomer
from the mountain fastnesses of the Chino-Thibetan borderland. With
its clusters of white flowers, produced with the unfolding leaves, the
small, rather thorny tree is less attractive in blossom than many others
but in fruit it is considered by some people the most beautiful of all
the lesser Crabapples. It and the somewhat similar but smaller M.
transitoria are the last of the Asiatic species to bloom.
In the Arboretum the Asiatic Crabapples are just opening their
blossoms near the Administration Building, on the left hand side of the
Forest Hills Road, and on the top of Bussey Hill. The main collection,
however, is at the foot of Peter’s Hill, and is best reached from South
Street by way of the Bussey Street Gate. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I MAY 16, 1927 NO. 6
The Arboretum is singularly lovely at the present time, a condition,
it is true, shared by the countryside at large but peculiarly enhanced
here by the presence of exotic trees and shrubs in rich variety. Enter
its approaches where you will, beauty reigns on all sides. By the
Jamaica Plain Gate the Asiatic Magnolias are squandering their petals
around the Administration Building and large trees of Malus Jloribunda
are wreathed in pink-tinted blossoms. Along Meadow Road the ruddy
brown young foliage of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, the Katsura of the
Japanese, is conspicuous and here and there the last of the Shadblows,
Amelanchier asiatica, A. sanguinea and A. amahilis, enliven the
scene. Within the Forest Hills Gate, Pears and Crabapples on the
left are in full blossom and facing them are various double-flowered
Japanese Cherries aglow with pink clusters. Beyond, the Forsythias
still make a goodly show and so do the American Plums. In the Shrub
Garden many plants are putting forth their blossoms, but the Oriental
Quinces still dominate the scene. If entry be made through the Centre
Street Gate the rapidly swelling buds on the Hickories attract atten-
tion on the right, and beyond the Oaks are pushing forth gray, yellow-
green and pink- tinted leaves. The native Crataegus arnoldiana and
other early-flowering Hawthorns are draped in white. Just around the
corner on the left the blossoms of Viburnum Carlesii fill the air with
the fragrant odor of cloves. Close by, its less dense habited sister,
V. bitchiuense, is laden with pinkish flowers.
Bussey Hill, where the new and rarer plants from the Orient are
quartered, is perhaps the most interesting place in the Arboretum at
the moment. The double-flowered Japanese Cherries are opening their
blossoms and the Azalea bushes are ready to explode into sheets of
pink, yellow, salmon and flaming red. On Berberis Dielsiava hang
tassels of yellow flowers, and Wilson’s Pearl Bush, with its upright
racemes of large white flowers, compels attention. From the Overlook
itself looking toward the south, the Hemlock Grove looms majestic; west-
ward across the Oaks, over and beyond the steely gray, misty, cloud-
like clump of American Beech, Spruce, Fir, and Pine stand conspic-
uous. Everywhere wholesome scented air, opening bud, blossom, and
21
22
green grass — everything fresh and clean — the Arboretum in spring is
rich in charm and beauty.
Double-flowered Cherries. On the grassy knoll of Bussey Hill the
collection of double-flowered Japanese Cherries is opening its blossoms.
Probably no group of small trees attract the public more than the-ee
Cherries with their rose-like flowers. With no group in the past have
garden-lovers been less successful. In Bulletins of previous years it has
been frequently pointed out that the seat of the trouble is the under-
stock that has been used in grafting or budding these plants. It has
been stated that the proper understock to use is the common Mountain
Cherry of the Orient, particularly the Japanese form of this tree known
as the Sargent Cherry {Prunus serrulaia sachalinensis). This is the
northern type and grows to a greater size than any other and, more-
over, is the hardiest. Itself the parent of the best pink-flowered double
Japanese Cherries, if used as a stock our gardens would enjoy a hardy,
long-lived race which lovers of these plants crave. Unfortunately the
Mazzard, Morello, Mahaleb and even the Common Plum are used by
nurserymen as understocks for these Japanese Cherries. The result is
that although sixty-five years have elapsed since the first double-flow-
ered Japanese Cherries came to this country, even moderately good
specimens are rarely to be seen. In past years the Arboretum has
offered limited quantities of seeds of the Sargent Cherry to those who
will apply them for the express purpose of raising understocks on which
to work Japanese double-flowered Cherries. The offer is still open
and these Bulletins will continue to urge this work for the benefit of
American gardens.
Origin. The double-flowered Japanese Cherries are derived princi-
pally from two species. Primus serrulaia and its varieties, widespread
in the Orient, is one; the other is Primus Lannesiana, which is native
of the warmer parts of Japan and whose derivatives are not quite hardy
in the Arboretum The greenish yellow Ukon and its quaint, green-
striped sister, Grandiflora, both more curious than beautiful, are de-
scended from this tender species. There are many others, some with
large single or double white, others pale pink or white tinted pink,
blossoms, all of which are fragrant. From Long Island south the de-
scendants of this species are worth-while plants. For New England,
the northern parts especially, it is the double-flowered forms of P. ser-
rulata sachalinensis that are most suitable. The Japanese recognize
a great many forms of this Cherry but for all practical purposes they
may be reduced to a half dozen. The flushed pink changing to white
Albo-rosea and its pink sister Fugenzo are two of the very best. Sim-
ilar to Fugenzo is Kirin and the late-flowering handsome Kanzan. The
pale pink Shogetsu and the pure pink Horinji complete our list. These
and others may be seen laden with opening blossoms on Bussey Hill.
Exochorda Giraldii Wilsonii. In the Shrub Garden and on Bussey
Hill large plants of this vigorous growing Pearl Bush are now rapidly
opening their flowers. These are pure white, each one and a half inches
across, and borne on erect six- to eight-inch long racemes. It is native
of central China and has been growing in the Arboretum since 1907,
The double-flowered Japanese Cherry Shogetsu.
24
when seeds were received from Wilson. So far the plant has never
suffered winter injury and it blooms more abundantly each succeeding
year. It is a shrub of almost tree-like dimensions and easily the finest
of the tribe. Exochorda is an Oriental genus, related to Spiraea, of
which four species are known. The first discovered was E. grandiflora,
which was sent from eastern China to Europe, in 1849, by Robert
Fortune and is a very familiar shrub in gardens. North central China
is the home of the pink tinted E. Giraldii. A third species, E. Korol-
kowii, widely known as E. Alberti, is native of Turkestan. Less fior-
iferous than other species, it is one of the first shrubs to burst into leaf
in the spring. All three may be seen in the Shrub Garden. A fourth
species, E. serratifolia , native of Korea, is not in cultivation. A hybrid
between E. grandiflora and E. Korolkowii has been named E. macran-
tha. It differs from its parents chiefly in its more upright habit and
in having somewhat larger flowers, each with about twenty stamens.
This may be seen in the border alongside Centre Street Path.
Caragana arborescens. Caragana is a genus of shrubs wide-spread
from southern Russia eastward through northern Asia, and southward
on the mountains of the Chino-Thibetan borderland to the Himalayas,
A number of the species are among the hardiest exotic plants intro-
duced into this country. As a hedgeplant in the northwestern' states
and northward into Saskatchewan, C. arborescens is indispensable for
hedge and shelter planting. The flowers are pea-shaped, bright yellow
in a majority of the species, pink in others. In the Shrub Garden a
collection of about a dozen species and many varieties of this useful
genus may be seen.
The typical C. arborescens is a tall, tree-like shrub of upright habit
and clear, yellow flowers. There is a variety (Lorbergii) with elegant
narrow grass-green leaves; another {pendula) is well described by its
name, while the variety mina is a dwarf, stunted shrub with contorted
branches. None are so useful as the type. Another species long known
in gardens is C, frutex, which is an upright shrub some ten feet tall,
with rich yellow flowers and glabrous, dull green leaves. A handsome
variety of this species, also native of the Altai Mountains, is xerophy-
tica, with slender branches forming a broad bush some five feet tall.
A species from western China of dense, twiggy habit, and exceedingly
floriferous, is C. Maximowicziana^ Another Chinese species, named
C, chamlagu, has comparatively large solitary flowers, yellow flushed
with red. The Siberian C. microphylla is a shrub growing some ten
feet tall, with long, spreading branches, while C. pygmaea is usually
more or less prostrate; its slender stems forming a hummock-like mass
a yard high.
Rhododendron Schlippenbachii. The blossoms on this lovely Korean
Azalea are now open on the Bussey Hill. A sturdy bush of upright
habit, bearing on naked twigs terminal clusters of large pale to pure
pink blossoms. This is a very hardy and satisfactory Azalea. The
Arboretum’s experience is that it transplants from the open ground
with less difficulty in the autumn than in the spring. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I MAY 20. 1927 NO. 7
Azaleas are fast opening their blossoms in the Arboretum, forming
drifts of brilliant colors here, there and everywhere; the finest display
being on the western slope of Bussey Hill. Strictly speaking. Azaleas
are referable to the genus Rhododendron and cannot be separated there-
from by any fixed characters of botanical value. For garden purposes,
however, they are easily separable by their general appearance, their
small, thin, and in case of the hardy sorts, deciduous foliage. The
flowers of no other group of hardy shrubs present such a range of
brilliant colors — white, pink, yellow, orange, salmon to flaming red and
scarlet in tones of great purity and vividness. Many species are de-
lightfully fragrant and all are abundantly floriferous. The first Azalea
to flower in the Arboretum is R. dauricum. niucronulatum, which opens
its blossoms in April at the flush of early spring, the last is R. visco-
sum, blooming in July. In height of bush they average from 5 to 8
feet but with age may grow 10 or 15 feet tall; all are of shapely habit,
branching freely and are usually broader than they are high. Some
like R. Vaseyi are partial to moist places, others like R. calendulaceum
flourish on dry banks. But they are all good-natured and easily adapt
themselves to a variety of situations. They may be planted in full
exposure or under the shade of trees. Most of them are ideal when
associated with deciduous trees, especially Oaks, either on the fringe
of woodlands or in glades. The flowers of Kaempfer’s Azalea {R obtii-
stim Kaempferi) are apt to bleach in full sun and this Azalea is seen
to best advantage under the overhanging branches of Fir or Pine. So
far as is known none of the really hardy species are subject to disease
of any kind, nor are they attacked by insect pests. They demand, how-
ever, a lime-free soil. In the Arboretum Azaleas have been very ex-
tensively planted and from the end of April until mid- July produce a
rich display of color. The collection proper occupies the western slope
of Bussey Hill, but there are groups among the Oaks, and clumps by
the roadside and by the edge of ponds. As arranged these Azaleas give
arresting bits of color in all sorts of unexpected places. Here and there
a flame of orange or red, a patch of yellow, a drift of pink or a sheet of
the purest white stands forth. In some places, hidden among other
bushes, the exhaled fragrance leads a visitor to their discovery.
25
26
Rhododendron yedoense poukhanense. The first Azalea to blossom
{R. dauricum miicronulatum) is now past flowering and so, too, is the
Japanese R. reticulatum, with rich magenta-colored flowers. The lovely
pink-blossomed R. Schlippenbachii, spoken about in the last Bulletin, is
still in full blossom, and so is R. yedoense poukhanense on Bussey Hill.
The latter is the common Azalea of Korea from the central parts south-
ward and was first introduced into cultivation by the Arboretum as late
as 1905. In gardens it is a densely-branched, round or flat-topped shrub
from 1 to 4 feet tall and more through, with terminal heads of rosy
purple flowers rich in delightful fragrance. It is partly or wholly
deciduous and in the autumn the leaves are tinted orange to crimson.
The double-flowered Yodogawa Azalea {A. yedoense), now frequent in
gardens, is a monstrous form of this Korean Azalea.
Rhododendron obtusum Kaempferi. Kaempfer’s Azalea is now
aglow with blossoms. This is the common mountain Azalea of Japan,
where it is -abundant, from the extreme south far into the northern
parts of the country, from sea-level up to 4000 feet altitude. It is a
twiggy, much-branched shrub from 3 to 10 feet high, with unscented
flowers varying in color from salmon to rich red. The flowers last
longer and are seen to best advantage when growing in the partial
shade of Conifers and other evergreen plants. In full sun their brilliance
pales, the colors bleach and the blossoms fade more quickly. In Mass-
achusetts this plant is wholly deciduous but further south the leaves are
retained through the winter. Though discovered late in the 17th cen-
tury this Azalea was not brought into cultivation until 1892, when
Professor Sargent sent seeds to the Arboretum.
Rhododendron Yaseyi. Of singular elegance and charm is R. Vaseyi,
whose star-shaped pure pink flowers are now expanding. Rather sparse
in habit it loves a moist situation and is happiest near a pond or stream,
where tall Willows or other deciduous-leafed trees break the sun’s rays
and the waters reflect its beauty. Though restricted in a wild state to
the high mountains of western North Carolina it is perfectly hardy in
Massachusetts. The typical form has pink flowers but there is also
one with white blossoms.
Rhododendron nudiflorum. Familiar to many is the Pinxter Flower
\R. nudijiorum), widespread in eastern North America from Massachu-
setts southward. This is an excellent garden shrub growing from 2 to
6 feet tall and densely set with thin branches bearing in profusion
clusters of fragrant flowers, pale to crimson-pink in color, with lobes
spreading from a slender hairy tube, the stamens and pistils outthrust.
It thrives in any situation and never fails to put forth a wealth of
blossoms. Two other species with pink and rose-colored flowers are
the closely related R. roseum and R. canescens. The first-named is the
most northern of American Azaleas, being found from Quebec south,
while R. canescens is found from North Carolina south. Both are
broad, irregularly branching shrubs from 4 to 15 feet tall, with fragrant
tubular flowers opening before the leaves unfold. .
Rhododendron japonicum. Sturdy of habit, with rigid ascending
stems is R. japonicum, widespread on the mountains of Japan. This
Pink and fragrant Rhododendron roseum.
28
has broad, funnel-shaped flowers, each about two inches across, sweetly
fragrant, and aggregated six to twelve together at the end of every
shoot. The color varies from orange-red to flame red or almost red,
and there is a form {aureuin) with soft yellow blossoms. At its maxi-
mum this is a shrub ten feet tall and five feet through, but more usu-
ally it is from four to five feet high and as much in diameter. Vigor-
ous of habit, free-flowering and perfectly hardy, this handsome Azalea
deserves the widest possible recognition. Very closely related is R.
molle from China, with rich, yellow flowers but less hardy. By cross-
ing these two species the hybrid race of “Mollis Azaleas,” of which
“Anthony Koster” is a typical example, has been brought into being.
Some of these are perfectly hardy and none more so than the hand-
some orange-yellow “Louisa Hunnewell.”
Rhododendron calendulaceum is the Flame-Azalea of the Appalachian
Mountains, and right well does it merit the name, for it is one of the
most gorgeous of all American shrubs. All who have seen it growing
wild extol its beauty, and we who know it in gardens are captive to
its brilliance. The colors range from yellow through orange to scarlet,
and the flowers, which have little or no fragrance, open with or im-
mediately after the unfolding of the leaves. This Azalea grows natu-
rally in open woods and by the side of water-courses, and may be any
height from 4 to 15 feet, and as much through. In gardens it is not
particular in the matter of site, but massed on a bank or in thin Oak
woods it is most effective.
Rhododendron luteum is the Pontic Azalea, an old favorite in gar-
dens under the name of Azalea pontica. Of Eurasian origin, this is a
floriferous species of vigorous growth, from 6 to 12 feet tall, wide-
spreading, with rigid branches and hairy oblong leaves. The flowers
are exquisitely scented, clear yellow with outthrust stamens and pistil
and are crowded together in clusters at the end of the shoots. 'Phis
Azalea has been much used by the hybridist, and crosses between it
and various American species have originated the polychromatic “Ghent
Azaleas,” without which our gardens would lack much early summer
fragrance and color.
Rhododendron arborescens. Before the last flowers of the Flame
Azalea have fallen those of R. arboi'escens, another Appalachian spe-
cies, commence to open. This is one of the loveliesl of all the Amer-
ican Azaleas with its large fragrant flowers, pale rose-color in the bud
and the purest white when fully expanded. The stamens and pistil are
exserted far beyond the spreading lobes of the tubular flowers, and
being of a bright red-crimson color add much to the beauty of the
blossoms. It is a much-branched shrub, from 8 to 15 feet high, with
dark green leaves, lustrous above and pale below, and with the odor
of new mown hay. Unlike the preceding species the leaves of this
Azalea and the related R. vifscosum are fully grown before the flowers
appear. E H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I MAY 26. 1927 NO. 8
American Crabapples. As the blossoms of the last of the Asiatic
Crabapples fall those of the American species begin to expand and fill
the air with fragrance. There are some eight species and many vari-
eties found from the neighborhood of the Atlantic seaboard west to
Texas, Missouri and Minnesota. From Alaska to California a ninth
species (M. fitsca) is indigenous but this differs greatly in character and
appearance from its eastern relatives. The American Crabapples are
small trees with intricately placed branches and often spiny branchlets.
They have lax corymbs of deep pink, fading to almost white, flowers,
which appear after the leaves unfold, and emit an odor of violets. The
fruit is flattened- round, greenish and usually clammy viscid. They are
admirable trees for planting on the edge of woods, in glades or dells,
and deserve to be more widely appreciated.
Malus ioensis. First of the American Crabapples to open its blos-
soms is the Iowa Crabapple (M. ioensis), the most western member of
its group, found widely dispersed from Minnesota southward to Texas.
It is a much-branched, round-topped tree, often 30 feet tall, with ob-
long-ovate leaves, woolly on the underside when young. The double-
flowered form {plena), known as Bechtel’s Crab, bears in great abund-
ance pink, fragrant, rose-like blossoms, and is a firm favorite in gar-
dens. Many people have been greatly disappointed by the sudden
decease of this tree. In some instances Pear-blight has been the cause
but generally it is due to the unsuitable understock used. It is the
common practice to graft or bud Bechtel’s Crab on the Common Apple,
an understock manifestly unsuited to the purpose. To obtain healthy,
free-growing, long-lived trees, Bechtel’s Crab should be worked on
seedlings of its parent species or on those of M. coronaria. Since
these species fruit freely and are widespread there is no difficulty in
obtaining seeds for the purpose. The reason that this has not been done
in the past is probably due to the fact that custom has decreed the
Common Apple understock for all sorts and conditions of the Crab-
apple family. So far as the American members are concerned when
grafting or budding is necessary a native stock is demanded.
29
30
Malus coronaria. In size, habit of growth and general appearance,
this species is very similar to the Iowa Crabapple, but differs in having
the young leaves smooth on the underside. It is found from New York
south to Alabama, and westward to Missouri, and has been known in
cultivation since 1724. About 1900, a form (Charlottae) with large,
semi-double flowers, was discovered near Waukegan, Illinois, which
promises to rival Bechtel’s Crab as an ornamental tree for garden use.
Both M. ioensis and AI. coronaria with other American Crabapples may
be seen in the collection at the foot of Peter’s Hill and on the left of
the Forest Hills Road at its junction with Meadow Road,
Enkianthus campanulatus. Among the Azaleas on the top of Bussey
Hill fhis“shfub is opening its racemose clustered blossoms which hang
beneath tufts of deep green leaves. On some bushes the flowers are
flesh-color, on others salmon to reddish crimson ; in one they are cream-
colored. No two bushes appear to have exactly the same color flow-
ers, but all -are remarkably floriferous and the leaves assume brilliant
colors in the autumn. This Enkianthus is a shrub of upright habit,
widespread on the mountains of Japan where occasionally it forms a
tree-like bush. In 1892 it was introduced into the Arboretum where it
has proved perfectly hardy in exposed and wind-swept places; even in
the Shrub Garden it has scarcely suffered winter injury. Like other
members of the Erica family it demands a lime-free soil.
Enkianthus perulatus, better known under the name of E. japonicus,
is a round habited shrub and a familiar object in almost every garden in
Japan. Its natural habit is neat and compact, and no shrub takes on
more brilliant hues of scarlet, orange and crimson in the fall. The
flowers are pendent, urn-shaped, pure white and produced in umbels.
Enkianthus cernuus rubens. This species differs from others in hav-
ing the corolla irregularly notched. The type has yellowish flowers
striped with crimson and is not in cultivation in the Arboretum but
rubenn, with deep red blossoms, thrives. Another less ornamental
species is E. siibsessilis, which hails from the Nikko region of Japan.
Though less handsome in blossom than other species its foliage is not
one whit less brilliant in the autumn. Enkianthus is a small genus of
shrubs, related to Andromeda, all natives of the Far East, where they
are found on the Sikkim Himalayas and eastward through China to the
mountains of Japan. So far only the Japanese species have proved
hardy in this Arboretum. These are worthwhile shrubs, deserving of
a place in every garden. The collection may be seen beneath the old
White Pines on the top of Bussey Hill.
Iberis Tenoreana. A broad patch of this low-growing shrubby Candy-
tuft is now in full blossom in the Shrub Garden. It is useful as a
ground cover in sunny places but its greatest value is for the Rock
Garden. The blossoms, produced in racemose clusters, are of the
purest white. A related species (/. sempervirens) is also well estab-
lished in the Shrub Garden and flowers later.
Rosa Ecae. A large bush of this Rose is now in full blossom in the
Shrub Garden. The pale, creamy yellow, five-petalled flowers in which
White-flowered Wistaria Jioribunda alba.
32
glow masses of yellow stamens, are subtended by small, neat-looking
leaves. This is a very hardy Rose, found wild from the wind-swept
regions of central Asia westward to north-central China. Upright in
habit, with abundant, red-barked, prickly stems, it makes a shapely
shrub. It has been growing in the Arboretum since 1911 and has not
suffered winter injury; neither has any of its branches died. Less
showy in blossom than other yellow-flowered Roses, it is easily the
hardiest and in some ways the best. From the middle of May, when
the leaves first unfold, until the autumn when they change color and
fall, the bush emits a delightful fragrance of Sweetbriar. It is just
the Rose for a wind-swept corner near the windows of a living room
or beneath those of a bedroom, where its wafted fragrance can be
appreciated.
Wistarias. Unquestionably the most beautiful of all climbers hardy
in cool, temperate regions is Wistaria, everywhere so deservedly popular
and widely cultivated. The name Wistaria was given in 1818 by Nut-
tall, to an American plant {W. frute^cens) in honor of Dr. Caspar
Wistar, Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. The
same year John Reeves, an officer of the English East India Company
stationed at Canton, China, sent to England a climber which received
the name of Glycine sinensis. In 1825, De Candolle correctly referred
this plant to NuttalPs genus Wistaria. Today, and for many decades
past. Wistaria and Wistaria sinensis in the popular mind have been
synonymous. The Chinese Wistaria is native of eastern China and is
not completely hardy so far north as Boston, Massachusetts. It re-
quires some protection and this is usually afforded by planting it against
houses, but even then in severe winters the flower buds are often killed.
In Japan’s gardens, paintings and embroideries, a Wistaria bearing
very long racemes of flowers is a familiar subject. This plant, widely
known as Wistoj'ia rnnliijnga, is a garden form of the wild Wistaria
of Japan {W. ftorihunda), and correctly should be called W. forihu nda
var. macrohotrys. The species is abundant on the margins of moist
woods and especially in thickets alongside streams, ponds and ditches
virtually all over Japan, and has racemes from one to one and a half
feet long of pale purple flowers. In Japanese gardens forms with
white and pinkish flowers are cultivated; also a purple-flowered form
with racemes measuring as much as 60 inches. These plants are grown
by the side of ponds, and enjoy an unlimited water supply during the
time of flowering.
Seeds of the Japanese Wistaria were received in this country by
Samuel Parsons of Flushing, in 1862, from Dr. George R. Hall. It is
hardier than its Chinese relative, has slightly smaller flowers, which,
opening later, are fragrant and equally beautiful. The white, purple
and pinkish forms are all hardy, and may be grown against build-
ings, on trellises, or allowed to ramble at will over trees and bushes.
There is also a form with ugly double purple flowers.
Wistarias are erratic in the matter of flowering, and if raised from
seeds decades may pass before any flowers appear. They should be
increased by grafts, layers or cuttings from flowering plants, since from
such source plants three or four feet tall will blossom freely. Good soil
and restricted root room are additional aids to success. E. II. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JUNE 1, 1927 NO. 9
Bussey Hill. The Arboretum is rich in pleasant and alluring scenes,
but at the moment Bussey Hill has pride of place. Masses of vivid
blossomed Azaleas compel attention, indeed, the dazzling blaze of
Kaempfer’s Azalea {Rhododendron obtusum Kaempferi) almost hurts
the eyes. Broad belts of Pinxter Flower {R. nudiflorum) and its frag-
rant, deeper colored relative, R. roseum, draw the visitor; beyond are
sheets of yellow Pontic Azalea {R. luteum), and orange to fiery red
R. japonicum. The Enkianthus are a wealth of nodding bells, white,
salmon and reddish crimson. Cotoneasters, prostrate or broad bushes,
10 feet tall and more in diameter, are just opening their blossoms and
very pleasing are C. apiculata, C. nitens, C. divaricata and others,
their branches peppered with globular flowers which have rose-pink
infolded petals. Other species, like C. hvpehensis and C. multijiora,
have conspicuous white blossoms in small flattened clusters. Many
Barberries there are strung with yellow blossoms; some in hanging
tassels, some in erect spike-like racemes, others with relatively large
blooms, solitary or in few-flowered clusters. Prominent is B. Vernoe,
with rich yellow, grape-like panicles of small blossoms. Facing the
Cotoneasters is a dense, rounded bush of gray-leaved Lonicera syrin-
gantha, whose lilac-purple clustered flowers emit the fragrance of
Heliotrope. Other Honeysuckles and scores of other plants are coming
into bloom in the Chinese Border, which rings the top of Bussey Hill,
and the air is saturated with fragrant odors in which that of the Com-
mon Lilac plays an important part.
Brooms. Not least of the attractions on Bussey Hill is the collection
of Brooms with pea-shaped blossoms of varying shades of yellow. The
Brooms belong mostly to the genera Cytisus and Genista, and are a
very useful class of free-flowering plants little known in American
gardens. When rock gardens come into their own these plants will be
in great request. The group is essentially European although a few
members creep westward into Asia Minor and southward into North
Africa. The species, widespread in Europe, are most abundant in the
southern and southwestern parts. The family resemblance in habit of
growth and in general appearance is very strong. They are twiggy
33
34
plants with a multitude of slender branches bearing in profusion yellow,
white, pink or red-purple, but mostly yellow, blossoms. These are
shaped like those of the Sweet Pea with a more boat-shaped keel, gay
wings and flaunting standard. The leafage is small, often scant or
quite wanting when the green shoots function in its stead.
Their Propagation. Several are prostrate in habit forming neat,
hummock-like masses sprawling over the ground. These are ideal for
planting on boulders or in the rockery. Others are compact bushes
from 2 to 4 feet high, neat in appearance throughout the year. They
are in abundant bloom from May until August, and most of them set
seed freely. Seed is an excellent means of increasing these plants, but
some are very susceptible to foreign pollen and several of the finest
varieties have originated as chance hybrids. The hybrids must be
propagated from cuttings, and this is a good method to practice with
all of them. Firm, nearly ripe wood inserted in early August is best.
Brooms do riot transplant readily so this should be done when the plants
are small. Nurserymen should maintain a stock of these in pots for
such can then be planted with success at any season when the ground
is not frozen.
Soil and Situation. Brooms and their kindred are sun-loving plants
and perfect air and root drainage are essential to their well-being. A
sandy loam from which the water can seep freely away is ideal. They
do not object to the best of loam provided the subsoil is gravelly but
are happy in quite poor garden soil. Their roots are furnished with
nodules rich in nitrifying Bacteria and so they do not exhaust but, on the
contrary, tend to enrich the soil in which they grow. They are excel-
lent groundcovers, but are impatient of overhead shade except of a light
character. Drought they really enjoy but a water-logged condition
spells death. On account of their floriferous character many of them
are short-lived. The taller sorts are apt to become straggly and untidy
in appearance if not severely pruned. They bear the knife well and as
soon as flowering is over can be cut back to maintain the desired shape
and size. Provided they are given full exposure to sun and wind and
good root drainage all of them can be grown somewhere on the Atlantic
seaboard from Massachusetts to Georgia.
Dwarfs. For planting on sunny banks or on top of exposed rocks
Cytisus purgans, C. Ardoinii, C. Beanii and C. decumhens are admir-
ably suited. All four are prostrate with very numerous, slender radi-
ating branches which form yard- to fathom-wide masses hugging
the ground. The best is C. Beanii, a chance hybrid between C. Ar-
doinii and C. purganfi, with large deep golden yellow flowers, borne
single or in pairs from each joint of the previous year’s growth. So
freely does this plant blossom that scarcely anything but flowers is
visible. It is quite hardy in the Arboretum but not so its part parent
(C. Ardoinii), which has similar flowers. C. decumhens has bright
yellow flowers clustered in sprays along the shoots. It is perhaps the
most thoroughly prostrate of all the Brooms and^ in June is gay with
blossom. Genista pilosa is splendid for bank and rockery. It grows
only a few inches high and forms dense tufts several feet through.
The Altai Rose, R. spinosissima altaica
36
In June and July each shoot is crowded with clustered yellow flowers.
A prostrate plant, with flattened winged stems and racemes of yellow
blossoms in June, is G. sagittalis, which is both hardy and accommo-
dating.
Cytisus purpureus. Forming tufted masses of stems from 10 to 24
inches tall there are several species of Cytisus and half a dozen of
Genista. All are neat in appearance and in season abundant of blossom.
A splendid member of the group is the Purple Broom (C. purpureus),
which in late May is aglow with rose-purple blossoms. Its stems are a
foot and a half tall, spreading into irregular-shaped mats a fathom
wide. This is one of the most useful as well as most hardy of all
Brooms.
Cytisus elongatus is a taller plant with shoots close packed with pale
yellow flowers. One of the hardiest of the Brooms it is at its best in
late May and June. Two other hardy species are C. glabrescens and C.
leucanthus. In the last-named the flowers are cream color, borne in
dense terminal heads; in C. glabrescens they are yellow, axillary and
clustered.
Early Roses. The first Rose to open its blossoms is Rosa omeiensis,
native of central and western China. This is a vigorous growing plant,
with small fern-like leaves and 4-petalled blossoms shaped like a Mal-
tese Cross, which are followed in late June by scarlet hips, each with
a succulent stalk, orange-colored at the base. The stems of this Rose
are covered with bristles and flattened, bright crimson, translucent
prickles.
Rosa Hugonis. This most popular Rose is now opening its saucer-
shaped flowers, and soon the stems will be arching sprays of blossoms
and the bush a fountain of soft yellow. When thrifty and happy this
is one of the most beautiful of hardy shrubs. It should be remem-
bered, however, that the individual shoots of this Rose do not live for-
ever. They die to the ground, and this has caused much disappoint-
ment to lovers of this Rose. Courage, however, may be taken in knowl-
edge that if the plant be on its own roots, as it always should be, it
will continue over a long period to send up each year stout shoots from
the ground and maintain the Rose a long lived, neat shaped bush. The
pruning of this and other Rose species consists in the removal of old
and worn out canes.
Rosa spinosissima altaica. The Altai Rose is expanding its large
pure white blossoms. This is one of the most beautiful of all hardy
Roses and a fitting companion to R. Hugonis. It has been growing
in the Arboretum since 1887, and beyond the cutting away of old canes
has never required attention. Perfectly hardy and abundantly florifer-
ous, it ought to be grown throughout the colder parts of this country.
This, with R. Hugonis and many varieties of R. spinosissima, includ-
ing the pale yellow flowered var. luteola, may be seen in the Shrub
Garden. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JUNE 8, 1927 NO. 10
Rhododendrons. In the Arboretum June is Rhododendron time and
by “Rhododendron” is meant the familiar group with large evergreen
foliage. A few early sorts blossom in late May but from the begin-
ning until mid-June is their real season in this part of the world.
With their bold evergreen foliage and large clusters of handsome flow-
ers Rhododendrons rank among the noblest plants found in the north
temperate regions. In Bulletins of previous years much space has been
given to discussing them. Unfortunately only a few species and a
limited number of garden hybrids can be successfully grown in the
Arboretum. In this connection it should be remembered that the lati-
tude of Boston is about the same as that of Rome, Italy. The climate
of the two places, however, is very, very different, yet it must be
remembered that at the spring solstice the sun is equally high in the
heavens in both places and its direct warmth equally great. Usually
the ground hereabouts is firmly frozen until April and in consequence
the roots of plants are unable to function. The sun’s rays cause ex-
cessive loss of water from the leaves by transpiration and, since the
roots are unable to draw moisture from the earth, the inner tissues of
the leaf collapse and death ensues. The fact that New England has
virtually no native broad-leafed evergreens indicates clearly that the
climate is unsuited to the growth of such plants. Its unsuitability is
further emphasized by the fact that, although the northern parts of the
world have been ransacked in quest of plant material, very few broad-
leafed evergreens have been found that are able to withstand the
severe climatic conditions.
Situation. Bearing in mind the latitude and the strength of the
sun’s rays in March it should be obvious to thoughtful people that if
they are to have any success with broad-leafed evergreens, and with
Rhododendrons in particular, they must be planted in a situation pro-
tected from the morning sun; in other words a northerly or westerly
slope should be chosen. In the Arboretum they are planted under the
lee of Hemlock Hill, but even in this favorable position they suffer
more or less every season. A cool acid or neutral soil rich in humus
is demanded, and a mulch of Oak leaves is necessary throughout the
winter. But the practice of heaping mulch upon mulch over a period
37
88
of many years is to be condemned, since rain-soaked leaves form a
dense mat through which no air can penetrate and the soil in conse-
quence becomes sour. Rhododendrons are surface rooting plants and
their root system is a multitudinous network of fibres. Always near
the surface roots should be fed and nurtured if healthy plants are to
be maintained. From the fact that they have a fibrous root system Rho-
dodendrons can be moved with safety up to almost any size always
provided they be not allowed to suffer lack of water afterwards.
The Lacewing Fly in recent years has become a bad pest on ever,
green Rhododendrons as well as on Laurel {Kalmia latifolia). This
insect infests the under surface of the leaves and can be controlled by
spraying with Sunoco Oil in the proportion of one gallon to seventy
gallons of water applied after the Flies hatch out, which is usually
about the end of May or beginning of June. The solution should be
applied through a fine nozzle under strong pressure taking care that
the spraying be done from below upwards. If the infestation is bad a
second spraying should take place within ten days of the first. In
August another spraying may be given to take care of stragglers hatch-
ing out a second brood. The third spray should be stronger (one to fifty).
Hybrids. Most of the evergreen Rhododendrons with bright colored
flowers are hybrids of mixed parentage, but those which are hardy here
have either the native R. catawbiense or R. maximum as the dominant
part parent. A baker’s dozen of the best of these hybrids is: with
red flowers - Atrosanguineum, Charles Dickens, H. W. Sargent; with
reddish flowers -Caractacus; with rose-colored flowers- Roseum elegans,
Lady Armstrong; with pink flowers - Mrs. Charles Sargent, Henrietta
Sargent; with dark purple flowers- Purpureum grandiflorum, Purpureum
F]legans; with light purple flowers - E]verestianum; with white or nearly
white flowers- Album Elegans. Album Grandiflorum, Catawbiense
Album. Earlier than these to blossom are the so-called Caucasicum
Hybrids of which Mont Blanc, Boule de Neige, Coriaceum, Glennyanum
and Cassiope, all with white or nearly white flowers, are growing in
the Arboretum. More attention ought to be paid to the Caucasicum
Hybrids since they are of good habit and very hardy.
Species. North America is poor in species of evergreen Rhododen-
drons. In western North America there is one, R. californicv7n, found
from British Columbia to California but not hardy in the Arboretum.
In eastern North America R. maximum, R. cataivbiense, R. minvs, R.
carolinianum, R. Chapmanii and R. lapponicvm complete the list.
The last-named is a circumpolar plant which it has not been found
possible to cultivate in the Arboretum; R. Chapmanii is not hardy.
R. maximum, the Rose Bay, has handsome foliage, relatively small
pinkish blossoms and is an excellent woodland plant. R. catawbienfie
is equally good in foliage and has larger flowers but the color is not so
pleasing. R. minus has small pink blossoms rather hidden among the
young growth.
R. carolinianum, the seventh, is a firstclass garden plant, hardy,
free-flowering and easily accommodated. Of twiggy habit it forms a
Rhododendron Smirnowii.
40
loose more or less rounded shrub with compact clusters of medium
sized flowers varying from white through shades of pink to rosy purple.
Planted thickly and allowed to form masses it is most effective, flow-
ering profusely in late May and early June. Like others of the group
having gland-dotted leaves, R. carolinianum can be rooted from cut-
tings; also it is easily raised from seeds.
R. Smirnowii, native of the Caucasus, is the only exotic species of
broad-leafed Rhododendron thoroughly happy in the Arboretum. This
is a singularly handsome plant with stout branches and 6 inch-long
leaves, dark green above and densely clothed on the under surface with
a white felt of hairs. The flowers, large and produced in broad pyra-
midate clusters, vary in color from rose-pink in the bud to pale pink
when fully expanded. The presence of a felt of hairs on the underside
of the leaves renders this plant immune from the attacks of the Lace-
wing Fly.
Laburnum Watereri. On Centre Street Path a tree of this hand-
some Laburnum is now laden with golden-yellow blossoms in pendant
racemes 6 to 8 inches long. This Laburnum is a hybrid between the
so-called Scotch Laburnum (L. alpinum) and the common Laburnum
(L. anagyroides better known as L. vulgare). The Scotch Laburnum
is charactized by smooth, bright green leaves and long racemes of yel-
low blossoms, and is perfectly hardy in the Arboretum. A large plant
may be seen on the right just within the Forest Hills Gate. The Com-
mon Laburnum, which has smaller leaves, grayish on the underside,
and shorter racemes of blossoms, has not proved so satisfactory. The
hybrid L. Wateren is intermediate in character between its parents,
and, fortunately, partakes strongly of the hardiness of its Scotch par-
ent. Laburnums are small trees, which bear in profusion pendant
racemes of yellow flowers. The genus is interesting not only on account
of its beauty, but as the only endemic genus of trees Europe boasts.
Neillia sinensis. Among the Chinese shrubs on top of Bussey Hill
and also on Centre Street Path this pleasing plant is blossoming freely.
Of twiggy growth, with arching, ascending-spreading branches, it makes
a rounded bush from 4 to 6 feet tall. It has ovate, long pointed,
coarsely toothed leaves with prominent stipules and terminal racemes
of pink blossoms. Introduced from the mountains of central China in
1907, it has proved floriferous in the Arboretum.
Asimina triloba. Slender trees of this interesting American plant
are in full blossom on Centre Street Path. Of foetid odor the nodding
lurid purple flowers, each about H inches across, are produced on the
naked stems, usually singly from the axils of the previous year’s leaves.
The fruit is oblong-cylindric, from 2 to 6 inches long, with a thin glau-
cous, yellowish skin, and edible pulp. The plant suckers freely and
the tendency is to form small groves. The Pawpaw, to use its Indian
name, is widespread from New York to Florida and west to Nebraska
and Texas. It is interesting as the only member of the large family
Annonaceae (Custard Apples) that can be grown in north temperate
regions. Most of the members are tropical and yield highly appreci-
ated fruits. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
harvard university
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JUNE 14, 1927 NO. 1 1
Mid-June is a season of blossom in great plenty on shrub, tree and
vine. In the Shrub Garden, on Bussey Hill and along Centre Street
Path, shrubs in rich variety are in full flower. At the base of Hemlock
Hill the evergreen Rhododendrons are at their best, and just beyond
the Kalmias are bursting into bloom. Here, there and everywhere
blossoms shine forth and visitors may be assured of a feast of color
no matter at which gate they enter the Arboretum.
Rhododendron calendulaceum. On the western slopes of Bussey Hill
and amid the Oaks and Hickories broad masses or isolated groups of
the Flame Azalea are now ablaze. This, the most gorgeous American
Azalea, though not found wild north of Pennsylvania, is perfectly hardy
in Massachusetts. It is a shrub, from 6 to 10 feet (sometimes as much
as 15 feet) in height and breadth, which is easily accommodated in
ordinary lime- free garden soil and in June produces clusters of flowers,
rich yellow through shades of orange and red to orange-scarlet. The
pleasantly fragrant flower has a slender tube, wide-spreading lobes and
outthrust stamens, all uniform in color. The Flame Azalea has been
extensively planted in the Arboretum, where at this season it forms
arresting patches or broad thickets of blossoms. Being a good species
it comes true from seeds, which is the best means of propagating it.
Spiraea trichocarpa. In the Shrub Garden and on Centre Street Path
this Spiraea is blossoming freely. A shrub of dome-shaped habit some
4 to 6 feet tall and more in diameter, it has arching, angular stems
furnished with prominent buds and elliptic-lanceolate leaves, dark green
above, paler below, smooth and toothed at the apex only. The flowers
are borne in 3- to 4-inch broad, compound clusters at the ends of short,
leafy branchlets transforming the shoot into arching plumes and the
whole bush into a fountain of white. Native of Korea, it is one of the
Arboretum’s introductions. Seeds were received in 1917 and the plants
raised have proved perfectly hardy. It is a valuable addition to a useful
group of shrubs.
Spiraea nipponica, better known as S, hracteata, is a shapely bush
with the usual fountain-like habit of its tribe. The flowers, produced
41
42
in neat rounded clusters at the ends of short, leafy, erect branchlets,
crowd the stems for several feet of their length. The umbels are dense
and simple and rather prim in appearance. Native of Japan, this is the
best Spiraea of its class from that country.
Spiraea Henryi. As the two Spiraeas mentioned above pass out of
blossom the flowers of 5. Henryi commence to open. This is a vigorous
growing species, native of the mountains of Central China from whence
Wilson introduced it some twenty-five years ago. It makes a bush
some 8 to 12 feet tall and has ascending-spreading stems, the outer
ones arching over, clad with blossoms for 3 to 6 feet of their length.
The leaves are gray and hoary on the under surface, deep green above
with prominently impressed veins and are coarsely toothed in the apical
part. The flowers are white, produced in compound clusters each from
3 to 5 inches broad. It is a perfectly hardy, vigorous growing shrub
and like the two mentioned above must be included among the best
half-dozen species of Spiraea in cultivation.
Scotch Roses. In the Shrub Garden several varieties of Scotch or
Burnet Roses are now in full bloom. These are much-branched plants
which sucker freely from the roots and form rounded billowy masses
from 2 to 3 feet tall and 6 or more feet through. They have the old
fashioned Rose fragrance, are exceedingly floriferous, and are very
pleasing and accommodating shrubs. Of the semi-double named sorts
flowering in the Shrub Garden attention may be drawn to Dominie
Sampson with pink. King of the Scots with rose-pink, and Iris with
cream-white flowers. These old-fashioned Scotch Roses are forms or
hybrids of Rosa spinosissima. At one time a great many sorts were
grown in gardens but the Hybrid Perpetual, Hybrid Tea and Rambler
Roses have driven them out to the loss of those who love the simple
and beautiful among Roses. The typical R. spinosissima is taller and
more lax in habit and has single pink or white blossoms, each about an
inch and a half across, which are followed by black fruits. There are
many natural varieties of this Rose, the best of which is that of the
Altai Mountains illustrated in Bulletin No. 9 of this year.
Rosa Harisonii. So far as the experience of the Arboretum goes this
is the best of the hardy, double-flowered yellow Roses. Originated
about 1830 by crossing the Austrian Briar {R. foetida, better known as
R. liifea), with the Scotch Rose {R. spinosissima), it soon became a great
favorite and was carried far and wide in this country. It is a feature
of many New England gardens as well as of those in the St. Lawrence
Valley and west around Niagara and Lake Michigan. Perfectly hardy,
each season it covers itself with a wealth of rich yellow blossoms. In
the Arboretum it is an eminently satisfactory Rose whereas the Persian
Yellow Rose {R. foetida persiana) and the double yellow Chinese R.
xanthina do very poorly.
Magnolia Watsonii is now in full blossom on the Centre Street Path
and attracts attention unto itself by the heavy, spicy odor emitted by
its blossoms. The flower is more or less saucer-shape, from 5 to 6
inches across, with sepals, pinkish on the outside, and cream-colored
Beauty-bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis
44
petals, in the centre of which is seated a prominent mass of reddish
pink anthers, each on a blood-red filament. It produces fiowers after
its leaves are fully grown. The origin of this Magnolia is not known.
It was sent to Paris from Japan in 1889. Some authorities consider it
a hybrid between M. obovata, better known as M. hypoleuca, and M.
parviflora. In Japan it forms a small tree, sometimes 20 feet tall,
with a broad crown. In the Arboretum it is a straggling bush, of no
particular shape, but free-flowering and quite hardy.
Kolkwitzia amabilis is now in blossom on Bussey Hill, in the Shrub
Garden and on the left-hand side of the Bussey Hill Road, where a young
and vigorous plant is flowering for the first time. Every succeeding
year emphasizes the garden value of this plant for which the descrip-
tive title of Beauty-bush has been aptly coined. It is a twiggy shrub,
growing from 6 to 8 feet tall, with the inner stems erect or ascending
and the outer ones arching to the ground, the whole plant forming a
dome-shaped mass. The flowers are produced along the whole length
of the branches in clusters at the ends of short, leafy shoots. They
are tubular with a gaping mouth, deep pink without, stained with yel-
low-brown on the lower throat and lip. The pedicels and ovary are
clad with spreading, white, bristle-like hairs which add to the attrac-
tiveness of the inflorescence. The graceful habit of the plant, its free-
flowering qualities and pleasing color, combined with perfect hardiness,
make this one of the most beautiful, as well as most useful, shrubs
that China has given to the gardens of this country. It was introduced
into cultivation by Wilson in 1902 and has been growing in the Arbor-
etum since 1907. The parent plant on Bussey Hill has been much mu-
tilated for propagating purposes, and from it, either by seeds or cut-
tings, has originated the whole stock of this plant in America, Related
to the Weigelias or Diervillas, it is far more beautiful than any of
them and is destined to become one of the most familiar plants in our
gardens.
Lonicera Korolkowii floribunda. In the Shrub Garden this florifer-
ous variety of the Persian Honeysuckle is now a thing of great beauty.
Of twiggy habit, with a mass of gray foliage, and pink, gaping flow-
ers, it looks from a distance like a cloud of mist shot with pink. A
number of other Honeysuckles, including L. Maackii and its variety
podocarpa, are in bloom. With pure white, gaping blossoms standing
erect along the branchlets, L. Maackii is an attractive shrub. The.
type has the larger flowers but the variety is most handsome in fruit,
which ripens late and remains in good condition until early December.
Both are vigorous growing, tree-like, scarlet-fruited shrubs, perfectly
hardy and reliable. On the trellis in the Shrub Garden the hybrid L.
prolifera is opening its clustered heads of orange-yellow flowers. Like
all its group it suffers from the attacks of aphids, and must be fre-
quently sprayed with some nicotine solution. These Climbing Honey-
suckles, of which L. prolifera is a type, are free growing, useful vines
which not only produce flowers in quantity but also heads of scarlet or
orange-scarlet translucent berries. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
harvard university
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JUNE 15. 1927 NO. 12
Kalmia latifolia, the Mountain Laurel, is the broadleafed evergreen
par excellence for northern gardens. Native though it be, and strangely
this is always a disadvantage, it has won the respect of garden lovers
for the exquisite compelling beauty of its blossoms can neither be dis-
puted nor ignored. A mass of restful green for eleven months of the
year, in June an unmatched wealth of loveliness — a myriad flowers each
artfully fashioned, burst into clouds of white and delicate pink. Be-
yond the collection of evergreen Rhododendrons and continuing around
the foot of Hemlock Hill, the broad belt of Mountain Laurel is fast
opening its blossoms. The border is several hundreds of yards long and
there are groups on the opposite side of the road. In all more than a
thousand large plants are laden with broad, rounded clusters of white
or pink blooms, each a fluted chalice with stamens bent backward,
tense and ready to spring forward and dust with pollen every honey-
seeking bee. No flower on close inspection reveals more beauty of
construction, and none in mass or individual cluster are more lovely.
Varieties. Man has done nothing toward adding to the beauty or
variety of the Mountain Laurel, and the few different forms known
are natural ones. On the right of the path which leads through the
Kalmias to the top of Hemlock Hill and just where it begins there are
several forms of interest to the curious. One {fuscata) has a chocolate
band conspicuous within the cup, another {polypetala) has the corolla
deeply cleft into narrow lobes, another {my 7'ti folia) is a dwarf with
short leaves and small flower clusters, and another (obtnsata) has broad,
handsome blunt leaves. On the opposite side of the main roadway is a
group of Sheep Laurel (K. angustifolia) , low-growing, with dull, rosy-
red flowers, and another of the Pale Laurel {K. glauca), slender of
habit with purplish rose-colored, saucer-shaped blossoms.
Sun-Roses. Among the Barberries and Cotoneasters on Bussey Hill
broad patches of Sun-Roses are a feature, and in the forenoon, star
the ground with many-hued blossoms. For sunny positions these make
excellent ground covers and in light, well-drained soil are much hardier
than is generally supposed. The plants themselves are only a few
45
46
inches high but each shoot terminates in a 6-inch long raceme of blos-
som, white, yellow in many shades, orange, pink, rose-color, and vary-
ing shades of red to crimson. The Arboretum has been acquiring seeds
of these plants under various names from different botanic gardens in
Europe. Most of them are color forms of the common Helianthemum
nummularium, better known as H. vulgare. A visit to Bussey Hill
will speedily convince the garden-lover that for the rockery and as ground
covers in sunny positions Rock Roses are a race of desirable plants.
Potentilla tridentata is another excellent ground cover. A suffruti-
cose plant, it has a slightly wooded rootstalk, ascending 6 to 10 inches
high stems, terminating in loose clusters of white flowers. The leaves
are lustrous, dark green, 3-foliolate and usually toothed at the apex,
from which its specific name is derived. Planted in open, sunny situa-
tions, it spreads into a broad carpet.
Potentilla fruticosa Veitchii. This shrubby Cinquefoil with pure
white blossoms is singularly like a wild Rose in general appearance.
In the Shrub Garden it has been in full blossom for a couple of weeks
and will continue to bloom intermittently until late autumn. Native of
the higher mountains of central and western China, it is extremely
hardy. The yellow-flowered Potentilla fruticosa is just opening its
brightly colored blossoms. This is an excessively variable plant, wide-
spread in pastures and rocky places throughout the boreal regions of
the globe.
Ceanothus ovatus and its variety 'pnbcscens are now opening their
white flowers in the Shrub Garden. These are much-branched shrubs
of upright and spreading habit found wild from New England west to
Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. The flowers are borne in small clus-
ters at the ends of leafy shoots.
Sophora vicifolia is a loose, thorny shrub, varying in size from
2 feet to straggling bushes 8 or 10 feet tall and broad, with white,
tinged with blue, pea-shaped blossoms. Widespread in China, especially
in warm dry valleys and in the more arid regions generally, it is a free-
flowering bush, but one that does not transplant readily. Nurserymen
handling it should grow the plant in pots.
Enkianthus subsessilis is the least showy member of the family but
is in bloom when the flowers of its relatives are past and on this ac-
count is valuable. It has terminal, hanging racemes of tiny yellowish-
white, urn-shaped flowers. In the fall, like other members of the
family, its leaves assume brilliant autumn tints; in this species yellow
being the dominant note.
Styrax japonica. The large bushy tree on Centre Street Path of the
Japanese Styrax is now fast opening a multitude of pure white, hanging
bells. Though a very common tree on the edge of woods and thickets
throughout Japan and introduced into this country as long ago as 1862
it is still rare in gardens. This is possibly due to the fact that it
transplants badly and, like many other things, ought to be raised in
Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia
48
pots. When properly established in a situation to its liking, it is one
of the most beautiful of the lesser trees. It flowers in great abund-
ance, sets seeds readily, and each year thousands of seedlings spring
up from beneath the tree. On Bussey Hill there is a healthy specimen
of the large-leafed S. obassia. This is a tree, or tree-like shrub, from
20 to 80 feet tall, with Witchhazel-like leaves and pendent, bell-shaped
flowers arranged on erect racemes. The flowers, which are fragrant,
open during the first ten days of June. It is more vigorous and more
hardy than S. japonica, but unfortunately its blossoms are much hidden
among the foliage. Both are trees of quality, which ought to be more
widely known and more generally planted.
Deutzias are a group of June-flowering Oriental shrubs, deciduous,
accommodating, abundantly floriferous, but alas! a little on the tender
side in the Arboretum. However, several of the species and many of the
hybrids do moderately well and a fair collection may be seen along the
Centre Street Path; others in the Shrub Garden and on Bussey Hill.
On the mountains of southwestern China, Abbe Delavay discovered a
Deutzia (O. purpurascens) with white flowers, suffused with rosy
purple on the outside. He sent seeds to Monsieur M. de Vilmorin in
1888, and some of the resultant plants passed to Lemoine, of Nancy.
Apart from pink-tinted forms of D. scabra, all the Deutzias known at
that date had white flowers and Lemoine proceeded quickly to make
good use of his newly acquired treasure. He crossed it with all the
species he could obtain and the results were remarkable. The hybrids
secured gave to gardens a new race of Deutzias and completely altered
our conception of the genus. Crossed with I). Sieboldiana Delavay ’s
find yielded I), elegantisaima, with flowers suffused with rose-color, its
very similar form, /uscicw/afa, and the white-flowered arctuata. More
beautiful are the hybrids with 1). gracilis to which the name I), rosea
has been given. The type of the race has open, bell-shaped flowers,
pinkish without and each nearly an inch across. Of the many forms
of D. rosea mention may be made of carminea with flowers rosy pur-
ple on the outside, exitnia, Jiorihunda and graridijiora with pinkish
flowers; the forms campanulata, venusta and multifiora have white
flowers in abundance. The hybrid D. rosea 'crossed with D. Vilniorinae
produced the upright panicled D. carnea, which has flowers pink with-
out. Another race (1). malifiora), with flowers rosy purple outside,
resulted from crossing D. purpurascens with the hybrid IJ. Lemoinei.
The raiser gave the name Fleur de pommier to this cross and called
one colored form Boule rose, and a white one Avalanche, all very de-
scriptive titles. The handsomest of all the D. purpurascens hybrids,
however, is I), kalmiae flora, obtained by mating with I), parvi flora.
This is a graceful habited shrub with a multitude of flowers, pale rose-
color on the inside, deeper without. All the hybrids of 1). purpuras-
cens are remarkable for their abundant star-like blossoms which are
exceedingly pleasing both in the opening bud and expanded flower.
On the whole they are hardier than their parent species, and all gar-
den lovers owe a debt of gratitude to the illustrious Frenchman for
these, not the least of his manifold gifts to gardens. E. H. W.
Subscription to this Bulletin $1 per year. Back numbers available.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JUNE 25, 1927 NO. 13
Philadelphus is a group of flowering shrubs that deck gardens in
June with a cloud of white blossoms. The genus is found in the tem-
perate regions of North America, Europe and Asia, and with the ex-
ception of one species all have white or yellowish white blossoms. The
exception is the Mexican P. Coulteri and its hybrids, none of which is
hardy in the Arboretum. What we may call the original member of
the genus (P. coronarius) has been cultivated in European gardens from
very early times. Native of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, its
strong fragrance probably made it a favorite among the Greeks and
Romans. Later, when the Lilac was brought into cultivation, the two
plants were confused under the name of Syringa. This confusion, which
began many centuries ago, still exists in the popular mind. In Lobel’s
“Stirpium Historia," published in 1576, on page 540, Philadelphus cor-
onarius is figured under the name of Syringa italica and the Lilac
under the name of Syringa caerulea lusitanica. It is of the over-pow-
ering fragrance of Philadelphus coronarius that Gerard in 1597 com-
plains and not of that of the Lilac. This fragrance is strongly remi-
niscent of orange blossoms, hence the common name of Mockorange.
Tournefort in his ‘ Tnstitutiones Rei Herbariae, ” published in 1700, pro-
posed the generic name of Lilac for the plant we now know by that
name and that of Syringa for the plant we call Philadelphus or Mock-
orange. He figured them (t. 372 and t. 389) under these names so there
can be no mistake as to his meaning. It is a great pity that Tourne-
fort’s names were not adopted since the confusion would thus have been
ended forever. Unfortunately, in 1735, Linnaeus, on whose system mod-
ern classification is based, gave the generic name of Syringa to the
Lilac and Philadelphus to that of the Mockorange. The European spe-
cies remains today the most strongly fragrant of all the Philadelphus,
although in beauty it is surpassed by a great many of its relatives. It
is to be found here, there and everywhere in old gardens of New Eng-
land, especially on Cape Cod, and it was probably one of the first
plants brought to this country. It flowers during the first half of June
and has cream-colored blossoms in erect, cymose clusters. A species
very similar in habit, flower and fragrance is P. pekinensis, native of
northern China. The first American species of Philadelphus to be cul-
tivated in Europe was P. inodorus, a tall, much-branched shrub, often
49
50
15 feet high, with arching branches and large pure white flowers with-
out any odor. It was cultivated by Philip Miller in the Apothecaries
Gardens at Chelsea in 1738. Catesby in 1743 figured it (t, 84) in his
“Natural History of Carolina,” and states that the only tree of the
kind he saw was growing on the bank of the Savannah River near its
cataracts. Since those early days a large number of species have been
discovered in this country and in Asia and introduced into gardens.
Moreover, the hybridist has been busy with the result that a very great
number of hybrids are in cultivation. The Philadelphus season extends
over six weeks, from the last week in May to the first of July. In the
collection facing the Lilacs and in the Shrub Garden some 112 species,
varieties and hybrids may be seen growing.
New Asiatic Species. Philadelphus sericanthus, which was intro-
duced from China about 1896, is remarkable for the odor of its blos-
soms which suggests that of Vernal Grass {Anthoxanthum odoralutn) or
even new mown hay. This is a large shrub, some 12 feet high, with
ascending-spreading branches and short, racemose clusters of flowers,
each not more than an inch across and facing downward. A related
species with longer racemes and slightly larger flowers is P. suhcanus,
also from China. In this the flowers have the odor of Lemon-scented
Verbena. Perhaps the most pleasing of the newer Chinese species is
P. piirpurascens. This is a spreading bush, some 6 to 8 feet in height,
with arching stems crowded with ascending racemose clusters of flow-
ers. The flowers suggest those of a Deutzia and are cupped, rather
small, with purplish calyx and lemon-colored anthers and have the
fragrance of Sweet Peas. The contrast between the calyx and the
snow-white petals adds distinction to this plant.
Philadelphus microphy llus. From the garden point of view the most
useful of all American species, as well as one of the most distinct, is P.
niicroph pllus, native of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, but, unfor-
tunately, scarcely hardy in the Arboretum. This is a shrub of graceful
habit with upright and spreading branches, small, lustrous leaves and
abundant white blossoms emitting the fragrance of Quince fruit. This
species has been of immense value to the hybridist. Lemoine crossed
it with P. coronarius and originated P. Lemoinei, of which a great
many forms are now cultivated in our gardens. They are hardier than
the American species, blossom in great profusion and rank among the
most worthy shrubs. Many of them are fountain-like in habit and in
season whole branches are transformed into plumes of blossom. Among
the best known sorts are Avalanche, Mont Blanc, Candelabre, Erectus
with single, and Boule d’argent with double-white flowers. 1 he hybrid
P. Lemoinei crossed probably with P. insignis gave rise to P. polgan-
thiis, another very free-flowering hybrid of which Gerbe de neige, Pavilion
blanc and Favorite are the best known examples. By intercrossing
P. Letwrinei with some double-flowered variety Lemoine obtained P. vir-
ginalis, some forms of which are among the most popular of all Mock-
oranges. All have more or less semi-double blossoms, borne several
together and varying in size from 1 to 2 inches. Next to the type it-
self the best known sorts are Bouquet blanc. Glacier and Argentine.
Crossed with P. granditioriis or some related species, P. Lemoinei has
The handsome Philadelphus splendens.
52
given rise to P. cymosus with its many varieties of which we may men-
tion Conquete, Mer de glace, Rosace and Voie lactee with single, Ban-
niere with semi-double flowers, and the handsome Norma with single
or double, cupped blossoms with wax-like petals. Some of the species
of Philadelphus hybridize freely among themselves and several of the
handsomest plants in cultivation have originated as chance hybrids.
One of the first of these to attract attention was P. msignis, often
called Souvenir de Billiard in memory of the man in whose garden it
was found, which originated in France about 1870. Another handsome
hybrid of unknown origin is P. monstj'osiis. One of the most vigorous
growing of all Mockoranges, this forms a bush of tree-like habit, 15
to 20 feet tall, with ascending, somewhat spreading, branches and race-
mose-cymose flowers, each blossom H inches across. Of the large-
growing Philadelphus perhaps the handsomest of all is P. splendens^,
which originated as a chance hybrid in the Arboretum, It is possibly
a cross between P. grandiflorus and P. Gordonianus. Whatever its
parentage it is a magnificent garden plant, with stout, ascending-spread-
ing stems, dark green leaves and bold ascending clusters of pure white
flowers each U to 3 inches in diameter, with prominent yellow anthers
and a slight but pleasant odor.
Rugosa Hybrid Roses have a great future before them in the colder
parts of New England since they combine great hardiness with hand-
some blossoms. The hardiness they get from the parent R. rugosa,
a very old inhabitant of gardens, native of the northeast Asia littoral
and abundant in Japan, where it is known as a Sea-tomato from the
size and color of its fruits. Being a maritime plant it has special use
for seashore gardens, and this combined with its hardiness give it a
field of wide usefulness. Two Hybrid Rugosa Roses were raised in
the Arboretum by the late Jackson Dawson. One, named Lady Dun-
can, obtained by crossing R. rugosa with R. Wich uraiaua , is of trail-
ing habit with glowing rose-pink blossoms Another is R. amoldiana,
whose parents were R. rugosa and the Rose Oeneral Jacciueminot. J'he
Arnold Rose is a bush with erect stems, good foliage, and large, rich
red, single flowers. The ])arentage of the other Rugosa Hybrids is
obscure. One of the first and best is Madame Georges Bruant,
which has white, semi-double flowers appearing on the plant intermit-
tently from summer until autumn. Handsome and distinct is Gonrad
Ferdinand Meyer, with large, clustered, semi-double pink flowers. A
sport with white flowers is Nova Zembla. Blanc double de Coubert has
clustered, semi-double, pure white blossoms. New Century has double,
rose-pink flowers, and Roseraie de L’Hay dark red, fading to maroon,
richly fragrant flowers, each 3 inches across. A trailing Rose with
pure white blossoms is R. Paulii, better known as R. rugosa repeus
alba, and one of the handsomest and most distinct of these hybrids.
Max Graff is of similar habit with pure pink blossoms and lustrous
foliage. Lastly, mention may be made of F. G. Grootendorst, famil-
iarly known as the Carnation Rose, with bright red, fringed petaled
blossoms. This is a splendid subject for hedges round gardens by the
sea. The roses named and many others may be seen in the Shrub
Garden. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
harvard university
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JULY 9. 1927 NO. 14
July has seldom found the foliage in the Arboretum looking more
luxuriant than at the present time. Favored by a generous rainfall the
shrubs and trees have made excellent growth. The Oaks and the Con-
ifers in particular are looking their best. Catalpa and Linden trees,
together with a miscellaneous variety of shrubs, are in bloom, and suf-
fruticose Woadwax {Genista tinctoria) spears the grass with abundant
yellow beneath Pine, Oak and Hickory. Alongside Bussey Brook, round
the ponds and in the meadow in front of the Administration Building,
bushes of the American E]der [Sambucus'canadensis) are sheets of white.
This Elder may be termed a coarse shrub, more fit for the edge of lake
and woodland and wild places in general than for the garden proper,
but none will deny that it is a striking subject. Each and every shoot
terminates in a broad flat cluster of pure white flowers, and these are
speedily followed by heavy masses of jet black fruits which hang in
bunches from colored stalks. It has a place in large gardens and the
countryside in July would be shorn of much beauty did it disappear.
Another conspicuous native shrub just passing out of blossom is Vibur-
num pubescens, so abundant in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Its
southern variety {Canbyi), which closes the Viburnum season of blos-
som, is now at the height of beauty. When given proper room to de-
velop this is a broad, round-topped shrub, 18 feet high and more in
diameter, each shoot terminating in a 4-inch broad, convex corymb of
white flowers. It has larger flower-clusters and broader, thinner leaves
than the type. Both have clustered, small, globose, blue-black fruits.
Rhododendron arborescens is flowering freely this season. On Bussey
Hill are drifts of this Azalea; clumps are planted by the roadside just
within the Centre Street Gate and elsewhere in the Arboretum. Truly
this delightful shrub ought to be more abundantly grown. It is of
shapely habit with twiggy branches forming a dense, rounded mass.
The leaves are green on the upper side and gray beneath with conspic-
uous reddish petioles. The flov/ers, each 2 inches across, are tubular
with spreading lobes, pure white or flushed with pink and borne sev-
eral together in terminal clusters. The far outthrust crimson-pink
stamens and pistil, with jet black stigma, are prominent features. Its
fragrance of Honeysuckle is perhaps not so strong as in the related
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54
Swamp Honeysuckle (R. viscosum) but it is a very superior garden
plant. The Swamp Honeysuckle is also in blossom, scenting the air
for some distance around. These two species bring to a close the
Azalea season which opened in the Arboretum early in April with
Rhododendron danricum mucronulatum.
Spiraea Veitchii is the last of its group to blossom and one of the
best of the whole Spiraea tribe. It is a tall growing bush with stems
some 10 to 12 feet high, ascending and spreading, the outer arching
downward and outward, forming a dome-shaped mass. The leaves are
oval from f to 1 inch long, quite entire, dark green above and grayish
on the underside The flowers are produced at the ends of short lateral
shoots in flattened cymose clusters, each from H to 4 inches across,
which are developed along the shoots for half their length. The individual
flowers are small, of a deep cream color and have the odor of English
Hawthorn., Bees find it a very attractive plant, judging by the number
that visit the specimen on Bussey Hill and others along Centre Street
Path. This Spiraea is one of Wilson’s introductions from western
China where it is a common plant' above an altitude of 6,000 feet.
Holodiscus discolor is another summer flowering shrub noticeable at
this time of the year. Closely related to the Spiraeas, this is a bush
with arching branches and broad ovate coarsely toothed leaves densely
clothed with gray tomentose hairs on the lower surface. The flowers
are borne in large spreading, often hanging, paniculate masses which
terminate lateral shoots. Native of western North America it was in-
troduced into gardens in 1827 by David Douglas. The type now-a-days
is less frequently seen than the variety ariaefolius which is distin-
guished by having leaves light green and merely pubescent on the un-
der side. The plants flower in the utmost profusion and are exceedingly
graceful in habit. They sometimes make bushes 12 feet high and as
much as 40 feet through, thriving e(}ually well in full sunshine or in
the shade of thin woods. In books, Holodiscus is more frecjuently spoken
of under the name of Spiraea from which genus, however, it differs in
that the fruit capsule does not open to liberate the seeds. Specimens
may be seen in flower on Centre Street Path and in the Shrub
Garden.
Deutzia longifolia is in blossom among the Chinese shrubs on Bussey
Hill. This appears to be one of the hardiest of the Chinese Deutzias
and is certainly one of the best. The flowers vary in color from pale
rose-purple to almost rose pink, and the broad, flattened stamen fila-
ments are of the same color as the petals. This Deutzia is a shrub
from 3 to 5 feet tall and as much in diameter, with oblong, lance-shaped
pointed leaves, dark green, much wrinkled above and gray on the
underside. The flowers, in clusters at the ends of short leafy shoots,
are each from 4 to i* of an inch across and the erect, much-flattened
stamen filaments form a prominent corona in the center of the flower.
Bulletin 12 told something of the Hybrid Deutzias raised by Lemoine.
Bearing in mind the wonderful improvement he wrought with less
noteworthy species, it is evident that hybridists of the future have in
I), longifolia a plant rich in possibilities.
Hydrangea paniculata praecox
56
Hydrangea paniculata praecox. The familiar Hydrangea paniculata
grandiflora with huge heads of white flowers has been planted in over-
whelming quantities throughout the length and breadth of this country.
This is a monstrous form of a variable shrub, common on the margins
of woods and thickets throughout Japan — monstrous in that all its
flowers are neuter and have conspicuous petals, a condition also found
in the Snowball Bush. Although in no sense related, it is interesting
to note that it is only in Hydrangea and Viburnum that heads of neu-
ter flowers are known amongst hardy plants. The typical H. panicu-
lata has pyramidal heads of flowers in which conspicuous 4-partite
neuter flowers are thinly scattered. It is a much more handsome plant
than the mop-like form so ardently cultivated in this country. An
early flowering form, known as praecox, is just opening its blossoms
in the Shrub Garden, and is a shrub well worth the attention of all
interested in hardy plants. It blooms ahead of the type and is of vigor-
ous habit with ascending stems each terminating in a graceful pyramid
of blossom often more than a foot long.
Leptodermis oblonga. In the border along the Centre Street Path
may be seen commencing to flower two small plants of this interest-
ing ornamental shrub. It belongs to the family which includes the
Button Bush (Ceplialanthus occidentalis) and the Partridge Berry
{Mitchella repens) but most of its woody members are tropical and very
few can be grown out-of-doors in Massachusetts. This Leptodermis,
the only species of the genus hardy in the Arboretum, is a twiggy shrub
seldom exceeding 3 feet in height, with small, oblong leaves and dense
clusters of flowers terminating in short shoots. The flowers are rich
purple, tubular, each 4 inch long with short spreading lobes, and con-
tinue to open from now until early autumn. The plant is well suited
for sheltered but sunny positions in the rockery.
Lonicera Henryi with pinkish purple, gaping flowers and black fruits
would have little claim to be considered an ornamental plant were it
not for the evergreen character of its foliage. On this account it is
a most useful addition to the limited number of evergreen vines hardy
in New England. Henry’s Honeysuckle has oblong, lance-shaped leaves,
each from 2 to 3 inches long, dull green above and lustrous on the
underside. It is splendid for clothing walls or trellises or for rambling
over rocks. The foliage is abundant and the plant is not weedy in habit
or so luxuriant in growth that it cannot easily be kept within bounds.
It may be seen on the trellis in the Shrub Garden and among the
Chinese shrubs on the Bussey Hill.
Cytisus supinus, with capitate clusters of yellow flowers terminating
each foot long shoot, is in blossom. In Bulletin 9 attention was drawn
to the garden value of the various Brooms and those who visit Bussey
Hill and the Shrub Garden at the present time will have ample proof
of this. Conspicuous in both places are rounded masses of C. nigricans
bearing a multitude of rich yellow blossoms. Of neat compact habit
and absolute hardiness, this is one of the best of the subshrubs which
blossom after mid-summer has passed. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
/
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL I JULY 16. 1927 NO. 15
Vines. Two outstanding features of the New England countryside
which impress visitors from Europe are the low abundant undergrowth
of Vaccinium and related shrubs, and the rampant, jungle-like growth
of vines. The latter give quite a tropical appearance to our thickets
and woodland margins during the summer and early autumn months.
Such a luxuriant tangle of climbing growth is unknown in Europe.
Foremost among the strong-growing wayside climbers are different kinds
of Vitis, such as the Fox Grape {Vitis labrusca), the Summer Grape
{V. aestivalis), and the Frost Grape {V. vulpina). In the Arboretum
vines of different sorts are freely used to cover walls and fences, and in
the Shrub Garden a collection is maintained on a wire trellis supported
by concrete posts. In these positions vigorous growing vines are seen
to great advantage, but only those perfectly hardy can withstand such
rigorous conditions. The Wine Grape of the Old World (F. vinifera) is
too tender, but several oriental and a goodly number of American
species thrive.
Oriental Grapevines. One of the noblest of all the Grapevines is the
Japanese Vitis Kaempferi, better known as V. Coignetiae. This has
broad, heart-shaped leaves, often more than a foot across, dark lus-
trous green and netted above, clothed on the underside with a felt of
russet hairs. In the autumn the leaves change to brilliant scarlet and
crimson and no vine is more striking in this respect. It is a very vig-
orous grower which in the moist forests of Japan climbs to the tops of
trees 60 feet and more tall, and in thickets, glades, and the margins of
woods and swamps makes an impenetrable jungle. The fruit is jet
black, globose and edible, although harsh in flavor. It is widespread in
Japan, especially in the colder parts. An equally hardy species, less
vigorous in growth and with smaller leaves, is V amurensis, widespread
in eastern Siberia and throughout Korea. Another handsome species is
the Japanese V. pulchra, similar in appearance to the Amur Grape but
with red-veined and petioled foliage. Very distinct is V. Davidii with
shoots densely clothed with prickles and large, metallic-green, heart-
shaped, pointed leaves, each a foot long, pale on the underside and
changing in the autumn to scarlet and crimson. Unfortunately it is
less hardy than other Oriental Grapevines mentioned.
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58
American Grapevines. On the trellis in the Shrub Garden no fewer
than fourteen American species of Vitis have proved perfectly hardy.
Among the handsomest are V. cinerea. V. Lecontionn and V. Doaniava.
The first-named grows abundantly on the riverbanks of the Mississippi
Valley from Illinois to Texas. A vigorous plant, it has leaves dark
green above, ashy gray below and, like the young shoots, clothed when
they unfold with a felt of gray hairs. V. Leconliana or V. hicolor, with
thick, trilobed leaves, each from 8 to 10 inches across, dark, lustrous
above and glaucous below, is found from New Hampshire westward to
the Mississippi Valley. A comparatively new species, native of the
Texas Panhandle, is V. Doaniana. This is quite hardy in the Arbore-
tum and is a first-class plant with large, pale bluish green leaves very
firm in texture. Less vigorous, but very pleasing in habit, is the
Sugar Grape ( Champinii), with small, shining, metallic-green leaves
and reddish shoots. For covering trellises, arbors and walls the native
Grapevines are invaluable and their merits deserve wider recognition.
Farthenocissus quinquefolia. The Arboretum is often asked to name
the hardiest of self-clinging vines suitable for growing against build-
ings. When the foliage alone is considered the answer is Porthenocissus
quinquefolia, which is hardy as far north as Ottawa and clings to walls
and buildings by means of discs at the ends of the tendrils. There are
several varieties, the best being murorum and S i int-Paulii, with rather
broad leaves, and Enqelmannii, which differs from the type only in
smaller leaflets. In the trade this climber is sold usually under the
name of Ampelopsis Knqelniannii.
Ampelopsis aconiti folia. This luxuriant, slender-stemmed vine with
finely divided foliage is a favorite plant in gardens and this favoritism
is well deserved for among climbers there is no more elegant plant.
Its finely divided leaves are lovely throughout the summer months,
although they drop in the autumn without marked change of color.
The fruit, produced in slender hanging bunches, is at first somewhat
bluish changing to orange or yellow when ripe. More beautiful is
A. brevipedunculata and its variety Maximoioiczii, with fruits changing
from a pale lilac and coppery green to bright porcelain blue. Some-
times they are whitish, and on any one plant in autumn these different
colored fruits may be seen. A handsome variety is citrnlloideF, whose
finely divided foliage simulates that of A. aconitifolia. In gardens
these plants are known generally as A. heierophylla. One is often
asked how to distinguish between Vitis, Ampelopsis and Farthenocissus.
Now all true Vitis have fibrous, shredding bark, whereas the other two
have a firm compact bark that does not shred. The Ampelopsis climb
by means of tendrils which have no discs at the tip, whereas in Fartheno-
cissus the tendrils are furnished with adhesive discs. F''or adhering
to walls or buildings it is always Farthenocissus that should be
planted.
Tripterygium Regelii is a twining vine native of Korea and Japan,
where it often scales to the top of the tallest trees. Of more than
ordinary interest and beauty, this plant is deciduous and has spotted
brown stems, the bark on the old stems exfoliating in layers. The
As a bush, Tripterygium Regelii.
60
leaves are large, broadly ovate, serrate and shortly accuminate, with
reddish petals, bright green and somewhat wrinkled on the upper sur-
face. The flowers are borne in terminal, thyrsoid panicles, each from
8 to 18 inches in length. The individual blossoms are small, multitudi-
nous in number, emit the fragrance of new mown hay, and are speedily
followed by white, bladder-like fruits. For its foliage, its flowers or
its decorative fruits, this climber is well worthwhile. Planted against a
trellis, wall, post or tree, it makes rampant growth and flowers profusely
in mid-July. By pruning it can be grown as a bush in the same man-
ner as the Climbing Hydrangea {Hydrangea petiolaris) can be fashioned.
In bush form both these plants are distinctly pleasing, and the fact
that they can be so grown gives them a double value in gardens. T.
Regelii was introduced into cultivation in 1905, by the Arnold Arbore-
tum, from seeds collected by J. G. Jack, near Seoul, the capital of
Korea. The plant has never suffered winter injury nor from attacks
of fungus or insect pests. Readily propagated by seeds, cuttings or
from suckers, which are freely produced from its roots, there is no
reason why this plant should remain rare in American gardens, where
for those in the colder parts it can -be thoroughly recommended.
Spiraea virginiana, native of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee,
is a comparatively newly discovered species, introduced into cultivation
in 1907. It is a slender stemmed shrub, growing about 4 feet high,
with arching branches furnished with oblong leaves, entire or with a
few teeth near the apex, dull dark green above, pale below, and broad,
rounded, cymose clusters of white flowers. Flowering in July it is a
useful addition to gardens. In may be seen in bloom in the Shrub
Garden.
Late Spiraeas. Among the showy shrubs at this season of the year
are various Spiraeas with pink to crimson colored flowers, many of
which are of hybrid origin. An old favorite is N. humalda “Anthony
Waterer, “ a low growing shrub with abundant, yard high, erect stems,
each terminating in a broad flattened cluster of bright crimson flowers.
Another hybrid, with pleasing pink blossoms, is S. Margaritae. To
obtain the best results from these and their kindred the plants should
be cut to the ground each spring. A group with spicate panicled
masses of pink or white blossoms terminating the shoots is represented
by S. tomentosa., the Hardback, so abundant in moorlands of New
England, the St. Lawrence Valley and elsewhere. Distinguished by
the gray or yellowish gray under the surface of its leaves, this plant
has little garden value. More beautiful are the western species S.
Menziesii and S. Dovglasii, both with flowers of pleasing shades of
pink. The white or pinkish blossomed S. latifolm, S. alba, and the
Old World S. salicifolia also bloom at this season of the year and may
be seen in the Shrub Garden. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I JULY 30. 1927 NO. 16
Mahonia Aquifolium. The season of flowers on tree and shrub is
now fast approaching its end, and brightly colored fruits are beginning
to display themselves. The Tartarian Honeysuckle {Lonicera tatarica)
and its many varieties and hybrids are now laden with scarlet fruits,
and here and there an orange-colored form is conspicuous. Particularly
handsome in the Shrub Garden is the Oregon Grape, as Mahonia Aqui-
folium is commonly called. Unfortunately, this plant is none too hardy
in the Arboretum, but last winter it suffered little damage and in the
spring bore in great profusion panicled masses of rich yellow flowers.
It is now laden with bloomy blue-black clustered berries suggesting
bunches of small grapes, showing how appropriate is its common name.
Native of western North America, where it is found from British
Columbia to Oregon, this Mahonia has long been a favorite garden shrub.
Its polished, pinnate foliage, dark green above and gray on the under
surface, is handsome at all seasons of the year and during the winter
months it is richly tinted crimson and purple. Where it can be grown
there is no more handsome evergreen shrub of moderate height so suitable
for making low masses under trees. More hardy is the dwarf M. re-
pens, but its gray-green foliage is less attractive.
Hypericums are now in blossom in the Shrub Garden and in the bor-
der to the right of the Lindens entering from the path near the Admin-
istration Building. The half-dozen species that can be successfully
grown in this climate are all shrubs of very moderate size, and by prun-
ing can be kept as dense, rounded masses from 2 to 5 feet high. The
stems and branches are clothed with thin, scaly red-brown bark and the
flowers, freely produced at the ends of the shoot, are rich yellow in
color with a brush-like mass of stamens the dominant feature. One of
the most handsome is H. prolifcum, found wild from New Jersey to
Georgia and west to Iowa. Perhaps the most vigorous of the hardy
species, it is characterized by its short-petioled, narrow-oblong leaves,
each from ^ to 3 inches long, dark green and shining above. H. aureum
is similar but smaller with larger flowers and bluish green leaves. An-
other species is H. lobocarpiim with narrower leaves and smaller flow-
ers in dense cymes forming terminal panicled clusters. These
are less handsome than the large flowered Eurasian H. calycinum and
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the hybrid H. Moserianum, so much planted in European gardens, but,
unfortunately, not hardy in Massachusetts. This is much to be regretted,
for no plants are better suited for forming ground-covers under trees
than these St, Johns-worts. The Japanese H. patulum has not proved
a success in the Arboretum, neither has its Chinese variety Henryi
fulfilled expectations. Less hardy than at first supposed, it merely ex-
ists, which is unfortunate, for with its rich, butter-yellow blossoms, each
2 inches across, it is one of the handsomest of the whole tribe.
Calluna vulgaris. Heather is now opening its flowers and the differ-
ent varieties will give a continuity of bloom until the end of August.
There are white, pink, and crimson-purple forms, and many different
habit types of Heather but all belong to one species. In many parts
of the British Isles, and various districts of continental Europe, on
open moor and hillside. Heather covers mile upon mile and in August
forms one- of the great floral displays of the year. The Scotchman’s
love of Heather is well known but he is not alone in his admiration of
this lovely little plant. Heather is much more hardy than is generally
supposed and may be grown successfully over the greater part of New
England and other regions enjoying a similar climate, always supposing
that lime be absent from the soil. It loves full exposure to sun and
winds and must not be coddled. Clipping low in the spring results in
a wealth of cheery, bright green, erect shoots which as August ap-
proaches are transformed into spikes of white, pink and red-purple
blossoms. It is an excellent ground-cover but like other plants of this
type does not transplant readily from the open ground. Propagated by
cuttings or by seeds and carried along in small pots, it may be planted
with success from spring until high summer. The secret of its success-
ful culture is full exposure and an annual spring clipping. In districts
where a decent snowfall prevails no winter protection is necessary,
but where the snowfall is sparse a few Pine boughs should be thrown
across the plants to break the direct rays of the sun in late February
and March. Heather should be planted much more abundantly in New
England, not only for its beauty, but as a ground-cover and mulch
among Azaleas and other choice surface-rooting shrubs.
Buddleia Davidii, more widely known as B. variahilifi, is one of the
best late-flowering shrubs China has given to our gardens. It is not
perfectly hardy in the Arboretum and the precaution is taken of root-
ing cuttings each autumn and placing out fresh plants in the spring.
Severe pruning, a rich loamy soil, full sunshine and abundant water
are the essentials for the success of this plant. The fiowers are pro-
duced in tail-like masses which terminate each shoot, and when well
grown, these may be anywhere from 18 to 80 inches in length. The
color varies from pale to rich violet-purple. Of the varieties, maynijica
with crinkled, slightly recurved petals and dark purple blossoms, and
superha with a very dense inflorescence, are perhaps the best. A pop-
ular and very good form is that known as Veitchiana.
Aesculus parviflora is the last of the Buckeyes to blossom. Usually
this happens about mid-July but this year it will be the first week of
August before the flowers are fully expanded. Native of the south-
Last of the Buckeyes to blossom, Aesculus parvijiora
64
eastern states, this is a broad, round-topped, much branched shrub
some 6 to 10 feet high. Every branch terminates in a long, narrow,
erect spike of small, white flowers in which the out-thrust stamens with
pink anthers are conspicuous. This is an old plant worthy of greater
attention than is now bestowed upon it. It requires a good soil and a ‘
moist situation, and is splendidly suited for massing on the edge of
woods. It suckers freely and established clumps generally blossom in
two tiers. A good example of this American plant may be seen on the
edge of the Oak woods flanking the Buckeye collection on the right of
Meadow Road.
Clethra alnifolia, the Pepperbush, is one of the most common as well
as the most sweetly scented of native shrubs. Abundant in swamps,
woodlands, and moist places from Maine to Florida, its blossoms fill the
air with fragrance in late July and August. Unfortunately the leaves
are too ofteji disfigured by attacks of red spider, but this year the
bushes in the Arboretum are clean and healthy. A second species,
known as C. tomentosa, blooms later. Hailing from North Carolina and
Florida this is quite hardy in the Arboretum and may be distinguished
from the common Pepperbush by a covering of white hairs on the lower
surface of the leaves. Another American species is C. acuminata,
native of the southern Appalachian Mountains. This is not so attractive
in blossom as the species already mentioned, but its polished cinnamon-
brown stems make it singularly attractive in the winter season. The
only other species grown in the Arboretum is the Japanese C. barbi-
nervis. This has spreading inflorescenses of pure white nodding flow-
ers and is the first of the Pepperbushes to blossom. Widespread in
Japan, in the Nikko region and elsewhere, it is often a bushy tree 30
feet tall. It is the handsomest of the Clethras hardy in New England.
Acanthopanax ricinifolius is one of the noblest trees of the cool,
temperate regions. It occurs wild, scattered through moist forests from
the extreme south to the limits of northern Japan, but is most abundant
in Hokkaido, where it grows to a large size and specimens 80 feet tall
with a trunk from 15 to 20 feet in girth are not rare. Ii. Korea and
central and western China it is also a valuable timber tree. In old trees
the bark is gray and deeply furrowed, the branches thick and spreading
to form a flattened or rounded crown. In young trees the branches are
erect-spreading and both they and the trunk are armed with short, scat-
tered, stout spines. The dark green leaves on long stalks are very like
those of the Castor-oil plant (Ricinus), hence the specific name. Each
branchlet terminates in a broad, flat compound cluster of white flowers
which are rapidly followed by small, jet-black fruits. The large and
handsome palmate leaves give this tree a tropical appearance, yet it is
perfectly hardy and quick-growing and thrives in ordinary garden soil
but prefers a moist situation. So far as is known it is not attacked
by any insect or disease. A fine specimen about to burst into blossom
may be seen by the pond near the Forsythias. E. H. W.
These Bulletins will now be discontinued until October.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I OCTOBER 15, 1927 NO. 1 7
The wet season has suited the Arboretum splendidly; the trees
and shrubs have made good growth and this is ripening well,
thanks to a dry September. For the second week of October the
foliage is everywhere remarkably green. There is color among
the Maples and Hickories, the Asiatic Cork trees and the Flow-
ering Dogwood, but trees and shrubs in general are late in as-
suming their usual autumn tints. Whether it will be a favor-
able season in this respect, it is difficult to say, but the Oaks
ought to be exceptionally fine. Ornamental fruits are much fewer
than usual and daily grow less through the gluttony of that vor-
acious feathered alien, the starling. In flocks these birds de-
scend on bush and tree and greedily devour every fruit. The
Hawthorns are well laden with fruit but the Viburnums, Honey-
suckles, and even Barberries are less freely dowered than is cus-
tomary. Of flowers in the Shrub Garden there remain blossoms
on Biiddleia Davidii and its varieties, on Elsholtzia Stauntonii, and
on the suffruticose Chrysanthemum sihiricum growing on Bussey
Hill.
Cotoneasters. At the present moment Cotoneasters are the most
attractive shrubs in the Arboretum. Many are fruiting very abun-
dantly and the garden value of these shrubs becomes more evi-
dent year by year. A great many of the best are recent in-
troductions from central and western China, and it would appear
that, as a group, Cotoneaster is the best of the Wilson intro-
ductions into this country. Cotoneasters are Old World shrubs not
represented in the flora of this continent. They are closely re-
lated to the Hawthorns, differing in having entire leaves and
no thorns. The flowers are white or pinkish and have either
small, upright or larger and spreading petals. They are borne
65
66
few or many together in clusters along the branches; occasionally they
are solitary. The plants are in blossom from May until the end of June.
In fall they are heavily burdened with red or black, rarely brown-
purple, fruits either globose, oval or egg-shape, which in many species
remain on the bushes with little loss of brilliancy far into the winter.
Several boast fine autumn coloring. In habit of growth they present
great diversity. Some like C. Dammeri are prostrate groundcovers,
rooting as they trail over the soil; others are bushes of medium or
large size. C. microphylla, C. adpressa, and C. horizontalis are espec-
ially well suited for the rockery or for planting on or against walls
and stone work. A majority, however, are best as specimens on lawn
and border where they have room to display to advantage their grace-
ful habit of growth, their beauty of blossom and fruit. For cold parts
of the country such as C. lucida and C. acutifolia are fine for making
hedges. The red-fruited varieties especially are most decorative gar-
den plants'. Anyone interested in these shrubs should pay a visit to
Bussey Hill, where a complete collection of the species and varieties
hardy in this part of the world may be seen. Cotoneasters are lovers
of sun and wind and demand full exposure to the elements; a well-
drained situation, a loamy soil are other essentials, and if lime be pres-
ent so much the better. A weak point about the family in general is
that they do not transplant readily from open ground, especially the
low-growing varieties, but, if pot-grown, dwarf Cotoneasters can be
transplanted with assured success at almost any season of the year.
The larger growing species are less particular.
Cotoneasters for Flower and Fruit. The great decorative value of
Cotoneasters in general lies in their fruit but there are several whose
beauty of blossom rival that of Spiraeas. Three of the best of these
are C. racemijiora var. soongorica, C. hupehensis, and C. multijiora, all
of which have flattened clusters of white. Hawthorn-like flowers borne
freely all along the stems. The first-named has rigid branches arranged
to form a broad, rounded bush from 6 to 10 feet high and more in
diameter, gray-green foliage owing to the presence of a covering of
hairs and large, coral-pink fruits. If the gray-green leaves do not
afford sufficient contrast to show off the flowers to advantage, ample
amends are made in September when the whole plant is necklaced in
coral pink. The fruit is relatively large and so abundantly produced
that the stems appear as ropes of beads. The fruit ripens early and
falls before the winter sets in but throughout September the bush is
conspicuous from afar. The others (C. hupehensis and C. multijiora)
have dark green leaves and whip-like, arching and spreading branches
which form fountain-like masses of white in early summer; in the
autumn they are strewn with crimson fruits. Both are very hardy,
free-growing shrubs from 8 to 10 feet high and from 10 to 15 feet
through. Combining the qualities of abundant blossom and wealth of
brilliant fruits, C. racemijiora var. soongorica and C. hupehensis may
be accounted two of the most valuable shrubs that the Arboretum has
introduced into gardens.
Red-fruited Cotoneasters. Deservedly the most popular of red-fruited
Cotoneasters is the Chinese C. horizontalis, characterized by its flat.
The Red-fruited Cotoneaster bullata var. florihunda.
68
sail-like or frondose branching habit. In climates rather milder than
that of New England it is sub-evergreen, but it is quite hardy although
fully deciduous north of Massachusetts. In the open border it makes
broad, hummock-like, irregular masses a yard high possessed of much
character in habit. Planted against a wall— stone for preference—
it can with little difficulty be trained to form a close screen. Placed
on top of low walls it grows into an irregular thicket of singular charm.
The flowers are abundant, pinkish but not conspicuous; its fruits are
about the size of a pea, bright red to scarlet and brilliantly jewel the
branches in the dullest of winter days. Beside the type there is
var. perpusilla with smaller leaves, and var. Wilsonii of more even,
although loose, habit of growth. Topping a boulder in the rockery or
planted in a crevice and allowed to spread itself at will C. hoHzontalis
and its forms rank among the most useful, pleasing and decorative
shrubs gardens possess. Cotoneaster apiculata with intricately placed,
closely overlapping branches forms mounds a yard high and is now
studded with lustrous bright scarlet berries. It has rather thin, round-
ish, dark green leaves and is well-suited for planting among rocks.
A closely related and equally delightful species is C. adpressa of
tufted habit with larger leaves and fruits. Cotoneaster divaricata. is
of the medium-sized species, one of the best. It forms a wide-branched,
densely twiggy bush from 5 to 6 feet tall and much more in diameter,
and is now profusely laden with dark scarlet fruits. It has small, oval,
dark green leaves which before they fall assume brilliant shades of
crimson. A handsome shrub with arching, spreading branches and
clustered scarlet fruit in abundance is C. Dielsiana, or C. applanata as
it is also called. This will grow full 10 feet tall and as much through
with branches arching over to the ground. There is a variety (major)
with larger leaves and another (elegans) with coral-red fiuits and sub-
evergreen foliage. Another fine species is C. Zabelii which has slen-
der branches, dull green leaves and bright red hanging fruits. This is a
broad shrub growing some 6 feet high and its foliage turns bright yellow
in the autumn. More pleasing than the type is var. miniata with orange-
red fruit. The tallest of the red-fruited Cotoneasters is C. bullata
and its varieties, macrophylla and floribiinda, which grow into broad,
round-topped bushes from 8 to 10 feet high. The branches are grace-
fully arching, the leaves deeply wrinkled, especially in var. jioi'ibanda,
which ripens its fruit rather later than var. macrophylla. Both have
lustrous, bright scarlet fruits in clusters along the branches.
Black-fruited Cotoneasters. The black-fruited Cotoneasters have
less garden merit than their brethren with red fruit, but C. moupi-
nensis and C. foveolata are worthy of a place on account of their
orange to scarlet autumn-tinted foliage. These are hardy, vigorous
shrubs growing from 10 to 12 feet tall and as much in diameter, with
abundant clusters of black fruits. Slender arching stems, lustrous
leaves and jet black fruits characterize C. nitens and C. tenuipes,
recent acquisitions from western China. For the middle states and
colder parts of the country in general C. melanocarpa, C. acvtifolia
and C. lucida with clustered black fruits are to be recommended. Also
they have much merit as hedge plants, being of shapely growth with-
stand clipping well and are of iron constitution. E. H. W.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN
OF
POPULAR INFORMATION
SERIES 3. VOL. I NOVEMBER 10. 1927 NO. 18
Autumn Foliage. At the autumn season of the year brilliantly
colored foliage attracts the eye on all sides. The Maples, Hickories
and other trees, whose leaves color early, have shed their foliage
but the Oaks, the noblest group of trees in eastern North America,
are now at their height of glory, being later this year than is usual.
The Scarlet, Red and White Oaks take on ruddy tints varying from
reddish purple and crimson to red. The Black, and Swamp Oaks
develop imperfect shades of orange to leather-brown tints. All the
Oaks hold their autumn-colored leaves longer than other trees and
often we enjoy their color from mid-October to mid-November.
Where deciduous-leafed trees are associated with Conifers, the land-
scape effect in the autumn is immensely heightened. The contrast
between the brilliant tinted foliage on the one hand and the dark
green of the Conifers on the other is very impressive. One is often
asked the why and wherefore of autumnal tints — a simple question not
easy to answer, but briefly the metamorphosis is effected as follows:
At the approach of winter leaves, which cannot withstand frost, cease
to function as food factories and the residue food substances are con-
veyed from the leaf->blade into the woody branches and there stored,
chiefly in the form of starch, until the season of growth recommences
the following spring. The leaves from which everything useful has
been transported form nothing more than a framework of cell-
chambers containing waste products, such as crystals of calcium-
oxalate, which are thrown off with the leaves and help to enrich the
soil. But while the process of food evacuation is going on other
changes take place. In many plants a chemical substance, known
technically an anthocyanin, is produced in the leaves and often to
technically as anthocyanin. is produced in the leaves and often to
such an extent as to become plainly visible on the exterior. In the
presence of free acids in the cell-sap it appears red, blue when no
acids are present, and violet when the quantity of acids is small. In
a great many leaves the chlorophyll bodies, which contain the green
coloring matter, become changed to yellow granules. Sometimes
these yellow granules are few and anthocyanin is absent, then the
leaf except losing its freshness exhibits little outward change before
it falls. In others the yellow granules are abundantly developed, and
if anthocyanin is absent or nearly so the whole leaf assumes a clear
69
70
yellow hue. If there is an abundance of yellow granules together
with free acids and anthocyanin the leaf assumes an orange color.
Thus the leaf at the period of autumnal change by the presence of
these substances in a greater or lesser degree loses its green hue and
becomes brown or yellow, crimson or orange, purple or red.
Tsuga caroliniana. In these Bulletins attention has been fre-
quently called to this magnificent Conifer. Each year its merits be-
come more and more apparent. The dark green of its foliage is rest-
ful at any season of the year and the hummock-like arrangement of
its branches give it much character. It is certainly, as a specimen,
among the most beautiful Conifers that are hardy in New England.
Witch-Hazels have the distinction of being the last shrubs to
blossom in the autumn and the first to put forth their flowers in the
spring. Indeed, it is sometimes possible to find flowers on the common
Witch-Hazel {Hamamelis virginiana) at Christmas and opening buds
on another American species {Hamamelis vemialis) early in the new
year. The flower-buds in all the species are formed early in
autumn and are strung along the stems in clusters, each of which
singularly resembles the pad of a pussy’s foot. They are good shrubs
for planting in close proximity to the house and are excellent sub-
jects for town gardens. They do not object to smoke, dust and
draught of streets and give a display of blossoms long before other
shrubs. The genus is confined to eastern North America, Japan and
China. In all half a dozen species with several varieties are recog-
nized and of these four species and six varieties are growing on
Centre Street Path and by the pond near the junction of Meadow
and Forest Hills Roads. At this season of the year the common
Witch-Hazel (//. I'irginiana) is everywhere a feature in the open
woods and thickets, where its clear yellow foliage is conspicuous.
As the leaves fall the star-shaped blossoms become apparent. A
strong growing bush, it is very much like a Hazelnut in habit and
often 15 to 20 feet tall and as much through. On account of its
robust growth it is the least desirable for the garden, the town
garden especially, being better accommodated on the margins of
woodlands. As a rule the flowers are not so abundantly produced
as in other species although on occasions the common Witch-Hazel
produces its blossoms in the utmost freedom. Different bushes
open their flowers at different times and it is possible in stretches
of woodland to And it in bloom from mid-October to mid-December.
TTiis species has a very wide distribution, being found from Canada
south to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Arkansas. There is a va-
riety in which the petals are stained with reddish brown and, curious-
ly enough, a similar color variation appears in another American
species and in the Japanese H. japonica.
Hamamelis vernalis. A better speciflc name for this would have been
since it flowers in the winter rather than in the spring.
This is a shrub with upright branches growing from 5 to 8 feet tall
and suckering freely from the base forms a broad clump or thicket.
Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga carolihiana)
72
It is native of the gravelly river banks and beds of Missouri, Louisiana
and Oklahoma and was introduced into cultivation by the Arboretum
so recenty as 1908. The Vernal Witch-Hazel has smaller flowers
than the other species but is the most floriferous of all. The curiously
jointed strap-shaped petals are contractile. It has blossomed in the
Arboretum as early as January 6th and at any time during that
month a warm spell of weather will cause the blossoms to open. If
the temperature falls suddenly the petals contract and become in-
folded. On the appearance of mild weather they open and with fall-
ing temperature fold up again. It is rather interesting to watch the
game of hide and seek the petals of this Witch-Hazel play with Jack
Frost. The typical plant has light yellow petals, reddish towards the
base. There is another form, not yet named, of which the petals are
deeply suffused with reddish brown. Another variety, tomentella,
has leaves more densely hairy and glaucescent on the under surface.
For its abundance of blossom and its early flowering qualities this
Witch-Hazel ought to be freely planted in the town gardens of
New England. The flowers emit -a delightful spicy odor of almonds.
Hamamelis japonica. This Japanese species is similar in habit
to H. virginiana and grows to an even larger size, being sometimes
25 feet tall and as much in width. The flowers are larger and more
abundantly produced than is usually the case in the common Witch-
Hazel. They appear early in March. In the type the petals are
clear yellow and the cupped sepals are usually purple on the inside.
A variety named arhorea is of tree-like habit with golden yellow
petals, calyx deep purple on the inside and purple anthered stamens.
Another variety, Zuccai'inicina, also of tree-like habit with the
branches more ascending than in the type, has lemon-yellow petals
and the calyx greenish yellow within. A third variety recently in-
troduced from Japan and named fiavo-purpurascens has more or less
reddish brown petals but this is not of much garden value.
Hamamelis mollis is a Chinese species and the best of the family.
It has larger flowers with broad petals, golden yellow except at the
base which is reddish. The leaves are strongly veined and densely
clothed with soft woolly hairs on the underside. It is native of the
Yangtzse Valley region of east-central China, being common in open
woods and thickets from the Hupeh province eastward. All the Witch-
Hazels are hardy and may easily be propagated by grafting on
H. virginiana.
These Bulletins will now be discontinued until April of next year.
INDEX TO SERIES 3 VOLUME I
Synonyms are in italics; illustrations in black face type
Acanthopanax ricinifolius, 64
Acer saccharinum, 1
Aesculus parviflora, 63
■ — parviflora, 62
Altai Rose, 35, 36
Amelanchier alnifolia, 10
— amabilis, 12, 21
— asiatica, 12, 21
sinica, 12
— Bartramiana, 12
— canadensis, 8, 10
— florida, 12
— grandiflora, 11
— g-randiflora, 10
rubescens, 10
— humilis, 10
— laevis, 10
— cblongifolia, 10
— ovalis, 12
— sanguinea, 12, 21
— spicata, lO
— stolonifera, 10
— vulgaris, 12
American Azaleas, 26
— Beech, 21
— Crabapples, 29, 30
— Elder, 53
— Grapevines, 58
— Plums, 14
Ampelopsis aconitifolia, 58
— brevipedunculata, 58
citrulloides, 58
Maximowiczii, 58
— Eiigelmannii, 58
— heterophylla, 58
Andromeda glaucophylla, 16
— polifolia, 16
Annonaceae, 40
Anthoxanthum odoratum, 50
Apricots, 2
Arboretum, The, 21
Arnold Rose, 52
Asiatic Cork-tree, 65
— Crabapples, 17, 18, 20, 29
— Magnolias 5, 21
Asimina triloba, 40
Azalea, 21, 53
— Anthony Roster, 28
— Louisa Hunnewell, 28
— pontica, 28
— yedoensis, 26
Azaleas, 1, 25, 30, 33
Austrian Briar, 42
Autumn-flowering Cherry, 4
Autumn Foliage, 69
Barberries, 33, 45, 65
Beach Plum, 14
Beauty-bush, 43
Bechtel’s Crab, 29, 30
Berberis Dielsiana, 21
— Vernae, 33
Black-fruited Cotoneasters, 68
Black Oak, 69
Brooms, 33, 34, 36, 56
Buckeyes, 62, 63
Buddleia Davidii, 62, 65
magnifica, 62
superba, 62
Veitchiana, 62
— variahilis, 62
Burnet Roses, 42
Bussey Hill, 21, 33
Button Bush, 56
Calluna vulgaris, 62
Canadian Plum, 14
Candytuft, 30
Caragana arborescens, 24
Lorbergii, 24
pendula, 24
nana, 24
— chamlagu, 24
— frutex, 24
xerophytica, 24
— Maximowicziana, 24
— microphylla, 24
— pygmaea, 24
Carles’ Viburnum, 16
Carnation Rose, 52
73
74
Carolina Hemlock, 1
Castor-oil plant, 64
Catalpa Trees, 53
Ceanothus ovatus, 46
pubescens, 46
Cedars of Lebanon, 1
Cephalanthus occidentalis, 56
Cercidiphyllum japonicum, 21
Chaenomeles japonica, 16
— lagenaria, 14
nivalis, 14
Simonii, 14
— MaaLei, 16
Chamaedaphne calyculata, 16
Cherries, 1
— double-flowered, 22
China Peach, 1
Chinese Almond, 6
— Deutzias, 54
— Forsythias, 2
— Pears, 8
— Sand Pear, 8
— Wistaria, 32
— Witch-hazel, 1
Chrysanthemum sibiricum, 65
Cinquefoil, 46
Clethra acuminata, 64
— alnifolia, 64
— barbinervis, 64
• — tomentosa, 64
Climbing Honeysuckles, 44
— Hydrangea, 60
Common Apple, 17, 29
— Apricot, 2
— Laburnum, 40
— Lilac, 33
— Plum, 22
Conifers, 26, 53, 69
Cotoneaster acutifolia, 66, 68
— adpressa, 66, 68
— apiculata, 33, 68
— applanata, 68
— bullata, 68
floribunda, 67
macrophylla, 68
— Dielsiana, 68
elegans, 68
major, 68
— divaricata, 33, 68
— foveolata, 68
— horizontalis, 66, 68
perpusilla, 68
Wilsonii, 68
— hupehensis, 33, 66
— lucida, 66, 68
— melanocarpa, 68
— microphylla, 66
— Dammeri, 66
— moupinensis, 68
— muitiflora, 33, 66
— nitens, 33, 68
— raceriiiflora soongorica, 66
— tenuipes, 68
— Zabelii, 68
miniata, 68
Crabapples, 1, 18
Crataegus arnoldiana, 21
Cucumber-tree, 6
Custard Apples, 40
.Cydonia japonica, 14
Cytisus, 33, 36
— Ardoinii, 34
— Beanii, 34
— dccumbens, 34
— elongatus, 36
• — glabrescens, 36
— leucanthus, 36
— nigricans, 56
— purgans, 34
— purpureus, 36
— supinus, 56
Deutzia elegantissima, 48
arcuata, 48
fasciculata, 48
— gracilis, 48
— kalmiaeflora, 48
— Lemoinei, 48
— longifolia, 54
— maliflora, 48
Avalanche, 48
Boule rose, 48
Fleur de pommier, 48
— parviflora, 48
— purpurascens, 48
— rosea, 48
campanulata, 48
carminea, 48
eximia, 48
floribunda, 48
grandiflora, 48
multiflora, 48
venusta, 48
— scabra, 48
75
— Sieboldiana, 48
— Vilmorinse, 48
Early Roses, 36
Elsholtzia Stauntonii, 65
English Hawthorn, 54
Enkianthus, 33
— campanulatus, 30
— cernuus rubens, 30
— japonicus, 30
— perulatus, 30
— subsessilis, 30, 46
Erica carnea, 1
European Shadblow, 12
Exochorda Alberti, 24
— Giraldii, 24
Wilsonii, 22
— grandiflora, 24
— Korolkowii, 24
— macrantha, 24
— serratifolia, 24
Fir, 18, 21, 25
Flame-Azalea, 28, 41
Flowering Dogwood, 65
Food for Birds, 18
Forsythia intermedia spectab-
ilis, 2
— ovata, 2
— suspensa, 2
Fox Grape, 57
Frost Grape, 57
Gean, 13
Genista pilosa, 34
— sagittalis, 36
— tinctoria, 53
Ghent Azalea. 28
Glycine sinensis, 32
Hamamelis japonica, 1, 70, 72
arborea, 72
flavo-purpurascens, 72
Zuccariniana, 72
— mollis, 1, 72
— vernalis, 70, 72
tomentella, 72
— virginiana, 70, 72
Hardback, 60
Hawthorns, 65
Hazelnut, 70
Heather, 62
Helianthemum nummularium, 46
— vulgare, 46
Henry’s Honeysuckle, 56
Hickories, 21, 65, 69
Highbush Blueberry, 16
Hobblebush, 16
Holodiscus discolor, 54
ariaefolius, 54
Honeysuckles, 33, 44, 53, 65
Hybrid Deutzias, 54
— Rugosa Roses, 52
Hydrangea paniculata, 56
praecox, 55
praecox, 56
grandiflora, 56
— petiolarls, 60
Hypericum aureum, 61
— calycinum, 61
— lobocarpum, 61
— Moserianum, 62
— patulum, 62
Henryi, 62
— prolificum, 61
Iberis sempervirens, 30
— Tenoreana, 30
Iowa Crabapple, 29, 30
Japanese Black Pine, 1
— Cherry Shogetsu, 23
— Cherries, 4, 21, 22
— Spring Cherry, 3
— Styrax, 46
— Wistaria, 32
— Witch-hazel, 1
Juneberries, 9
Kaempfer’s Azalea, 25, 26, 33
Kalmia angustifolia, 45
— glauca, 45
— latifolia, 47
— latifolia, 38, 45
fuscata, 45
myrtifolia, 45
obtusata, 45
polypetala, 45
Katsura, 21
Kobushi, 5
Kolkwitzia amabilis, 43
— amabilis, 44
Korean Azalea, 24
76
Laburnum alpinum, 40
— anagyroides, 40
— vulgare, 40
— Watereri, 40
Late Spiraeas, 60
Laurel, 38
Leather-leaf, 16
Lemon-scented Verbena, 50
Leptodermis oblonga, 56
Lilac, 1, 49
Linden Trees, 53
Lonicera Henryi, 56
— Korolkowii floribunda, 44
— Maackii, 44
podocarpa, 44
— prolifera, 44
^ syringantha, 33
— tatarica, 61
Magnolia acuminata, 6
— conspicua, 5
— denudata, 5
— hypoleuca, 44
— kobus, 5, 6
— liliflora, 5
— obovata, 44
— parviflora, 44
— purpurea, 5
— Soulangeana, 7
— Soulangeana, 5
— stellata, 5
rosea, 5
— Watsonii, 42
Mahaleb, 22
Mahonia Aquifolium, 61
— repens, 61
Maples, 65, 69
Malus arnoldiana, 18
— baccata, 17
mandshurica, 18, 20
— coronaria, 29, 30
Charlottae, 30
— floribunda, 17, 18, 21
— fusca, 29
— Halliana, 17, 18
— ioensis, 29, 30
plena, 29
— Sargentii, 17, 18, 20
— • spectabilis, 17
— theifera, 19
— theifera, 17, 20
— toringoides, 17, 20
— transitoria, 20
Manchurian Apricot, 2
Mazzard, 13, 22
Moosewood, 16
Mockoranges, 49, 52
Mollis Azaleas, 28
Morello Cherries, 13
Mitchella repens, 56
Mount Fuji Cherry, 4
Mountain Laurel, 47
Mountain Laurel, 45
Neillia sinensis, 40
Oaks, 21, 25, 53, 65, 69
Oregon Grape, 61
Oriental Grapevines, 57
— Quinces, 21
Pale Laurel, 45
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, 58
Engelmannii, 58
murorum, 58
Saint-Paulii, 58
Partridge Berry, 56
Pawpaw, 40
Peaches, 2
Pearl Bush, 22
Pepperbush, 64
Persian Yellow Rose, 42
Philadelphus, 49
— Avalanche, 50
— Banniere, 52
— Boule d’argent, 50
— Candelabre, 50
— coronarius, 49, 50
, history of. 49
— Coulteri, 49
— cymosus, 52
Conquete, 52
Mer de glace, 52
Rosace, 52
Voie lactee, 52
— Erectus, 50
— Favorite, 50
— Gerbe de neige, 50
— Gordonianus, 52
— grandiflorus, 50, 52
— inodorus, 49
, history of, 50
— insignis, 50, 52
— Lemoinei, 50
77
— microphyllus, 50
— monstrosus, 52
— Mont Blanc, 50
— Norma, 52
— • Pavilion blanc, 50
— pekinensis, 49
— polyanthus, 50
— purpurascens, 50
— sericanthus, 50
— Souvenir de Billia7^dy 52^
— splendens, 51, 52
— subcanus, 50
— virginalis, 50
Pieris floribunda, 16
— japonica, 16
Pine, 18, 21, 25, 53
Pinus Thunbergii, 1
Pinxter Flower, 26, 33
Pontic Azalea, 33
Potentilla fruticosa, 46
Veitchii, 46
— tridentata, 46
Prinsepia sinensis, 12
— uniflora, 12
Prunus, 13
— americana, 14
— armeniaca, 2
mikado, 2
— avium, 13
plena, 13
— Cerasus, 13
multiplex, 13
plena, 13
ranuiiculi flora, 13
Rhexii, 13
— Davidiana, 1, 2
— incisa, 4
— japonica, 13
Nakaii, 13, 14
— Lannesiana, 22
grandiflora, 22
Ukon, 13
— • mandshurica, 2
— maritima, 14
flava, 14
— nigra, 14
— serrulata, 22
sachalinensis, 4, 22
albo-rosea, 22
Fugenzo, 22
Horinji, 22
Kanzan, 22
Kirin, 22
Shogetsu, 22, 23
— sibirica, 2
— subhirtella, 3, 4
ascendens, 4
autumnalis, 4
pendula, 4
— tomentosa, 6
— triloba, 6
multiplex, 6
simplex, 6
— yedoensis, 4
Purple Yulan, 5
Pyrus Calleryana, 8
— serotina, 8
— serrulata, 8
— ussuriensis, 8
Red Oak, 69
Rhododendron arborescens, 28, 53
— calendulaceum, 25, 28, 41
— californicum, 38
— canescens, 26
— carolinianum, 38, 40
— catawbiense, 38
— Caucasicum Hybrids, 38
Boule de Neige, 38
Cassiope, 38
Coriaceum, 38
Glennyanum, 38
Mont Blanc, 38
— Chapmanii, 38
— dauricum mucronulatum, 25, 26,
54
— japonicum, 26, 33
aureum, 28
— luteum, 28, 33
— maximum, 38
— minus, 38
— molle, 28
— nudiflorum, 26, 33
— obtusum Kaempferi, 25, 26, 33
— reticulatum, 26
— roseum, 27
— roseum, 26, 33
— Schlippenbachii, 24, 26
— Smirnowii, 39, 40
— Vaseyi, 25, 26
— viscosum, 25, 28, 54
— yedoense poukhanense, 26
Rhododendrons, 1, 37, 45
— Hybrid, 38
78
Album Elegans, 38
Grandiflorum, 38
Atrosanguineum, 38
Caractacus, 38
Catawbiense Album, 38
Charles Dickens, 38
Everestianum, 38
Henrietta Sargent, 38
H. W. Sargent, 38
Lady Armstrong, 38
Mrs. Charles Sargent, 38
Purpureum Elegans, 38
grandiflorum, 38
Roseum elegans, 38
Ribes cereum, 1
Ricinus, 64
Robinia, 2
Rosa arnoldiana, 52
— Ecae, 30
— foetida, 42
persiana, 42
— Harisonii, 42
— Hugonis, 36
— luteci, 42
— omeiensis, 36
— Paulii, 52
— rugosa, 52
Hybrid Blanc double de Cou-
bert, 52
— Conrad Ferdinand
Meyer, 52
F. G. Grootendorst, 52
Lady Duncan, 52
Madame Georges
Bruant, 52
Max Graf, 52
New Centuiy, 52
Nova Zembla, 52
Roseraie de I’Hay, 52
repens alba, 52
— spinosissima, 36, 42
altaica, 35, 36
Dominie Sampson, 42
Iris, 42
King of the Scots, 42
luteola, 36
— Wichuraiana, 52
— xanthina, 42
Rose Bay, 38
Rosebud Cherry, 4
Rugosa Hybrid Roses, 52
Sambucus canadensis, 53
Sand Plum, 14
Sargent Cherry, 4, 18, 22
Saskatoon, 10
Scarlet Oak, 69
Scotch Laburnum, 40
Scotch Roses, 42
Sea-tomato, 52
Service-trees, 9
Shadblows, 8, 9, 10, 21
Shadbushes, 9
Sheep Laurel, 45
Siberian Apricot, 2
Silver Maple, 1
Snowball Bush, 56
Snowy Mespilus, 9, 12
Sophora viciifolia, 46
Sour Cherry, 13
Spiraea alba, 60
— bracteata, 41
— bumalda Anthony Waterer, 60
— Douglasii, 60
— Henryi, 42
— latifolia, 60
— Margaritae, 60
— Menziesii, 60
— nipponica, 41
— salicifolia, 60
— tomentosa, 60
— trichocarpa, 41
— Veitchii, 54
— virginiana, 60
Spnng, 1
— Cherry, 4
Spruce, 18, 21
Star Magnolia, 5
St. John’s Worts, 62
Styrax japonica, 46, 48
— obassia, 48
Sugar Grape, 58
Summer Grape, 57
Sun-Roses, 45 *
Syringa caerulea lusitanica, 49
— italica, 49
Swamp Honeysuckle, 54
— Oak, 69
Sweetbriar, 32
Sweet Cherries, 13
Tatarian Honeysuckle, 61
Tokyo Cherry, 4
Tripterygium Regelii, 59
— Regelii, 58, 60
Tsuga caroliniana, 70
Vaccinium corymbosum, 16
— pennsylvanicum, 16
Vernal Grass, 50
—Witch-Hazel, 72
Viburnum, 56
— alnifolium, 16
praecox, 16
— bitchiuense, 21
— Carlesii, 15
— Carlesii, 16, 21
— fragrans, 16
— pubescens, 53
Canbyi, 53
Vitis aestivalis, 57
— amurensis, 57
— bicolor, 58
— Champinii, 58
— cinerea, 58
— Coignetiae, 57
— Davidii, 57
— Doaniana, 58
— Kaempferi, 57
— labrusca, 57
— Lecontiana, 58
— pulchra, 57
— vinifera, 57
— vulpina, 57
White Oak, 69
— Yulan, 5
Willows, 26
Wilson’s Pearl Bush, 21
Wine Grape, 57
Winter effects, 1
Wistaria floribunda, 32
alba, 31
macrobotrys, 32
— frutescens, 32
— multijuga, 32
— sinensis, 32
Witch-Hazels, 70, 71
Woadwax, 53
Yodogawa Azalea, 26
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