PHILADELPHUS, the PEP-TREE, or Mock orange; a
genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the
icolandra class of plants.
Species 1. The coronarius, white syringa, or mock-
orange, has been long cultivated in the gardens of this
country as a flowering shrub; it is not well known in
what country it is to be found native. It rises seven
or eight feet high; sending up a great number of
slender stalks from the root. These have a grey bark,
branch out from their sides, and are garnished with
oval spear-shaped leaves. These last have deep inden-
tures on their edges; their upper surface being of a
deep green, but the under surface pale, with the taste
of a fresh cucumber. The flowers are white, and
come out from the sides and at the ends of the
branches in loose bunches, each standing on a distinct
foot-stalk; they have four oval petals, which spread
open, with a great number of stamens within, sur-
rounding the style.
This shrub by its flowers makes a fine figure in May
and June; for they are produced in clusters both at
the end and from the sides of the branches. They
are of a fine white colour, and exceedingly fragrant.
The petals of which each is composed are large, and
spread open like those of the orange; and then form-
ing branches, which stand each on its own separate short
footstalk, and being produced in plenty all over the
shrub, both at once feast the eye and the smell: The
eye, by the pleasing appearance it will then have; the
smell, as the air at some distance will be replete with
the odoriferous particles constantly emitted from those
fragrant flowers. These flowers, however, are very
improper for chimneys, water-glasses, &c. in rooms;
for in those places their scent will be too strong; and
for the ladies in particular, often too powerful.
The double-flowering syringa, is a low variety of
this species, seldom rising to more than a yard high.
The description of the other belongs to this sort, ex-
cept that the leaves and branches are proportionally
smaller and more numerous, and the bark of the shoots
of a lighter brown. It is called the Double-flowering
syringa, because it sometimes produces a flower or two
with three or four rows of petals; whereas, in gen-
eral, the flowers, which are very few, and seldom pro-
duced, are single. They are much smaller than those
of the other; and you will not see a flower of any
kind on this shrub oftener perhaps than once in five
years. It is hardly worth propagating on this ac-
count; so that a few plants only ought to be admitted
into a collection, to be ready for observation.
The dwarf syringa is still of lower growth than the
other, seldom arising to more than two feet in height.
The description of the first sort still agrees with this;
only that the branches and leaves are still proportion-
ally smaller and more numerous, and the bark is still of
a lighter brown. It never produces flowers.
2. The nanus, with oval leaves somewhat indented,
and double flowers, seldom rises above three feet high;
the flowers come out singly from the sides of the
branches, and have a double or treble row of petals of
the same size and form as well as the same scent with
the former; but this sort flowers very rarely, so is but
little esteemed.
3. The inodorus, with entire leaves, is a native
of Carolina, and as yet but little known in Eu-
rope. It rises with a shrubby stalk of about 16
feet in height, sending out slender branches from the
sides opposite, garnished with smooth leaves sharp-
like those of the pear-tree, and standing on pretty long
foot-stalks. The flowers are produced at the ends of
the branches; and are large, white, spreading open,
with a great number of short stamens with yellow sum-
mits. This is called the Carolina syringa, is the tallest
grower by far of any sort of the syringa, and makes
the grandest show when in blow; though the flowers
are destitute of smell.
The propagation of all the sorts is very easy: They
are increased by layers, cuttings, or suckers. 1. The
most certain method is by layers; for the young twigs
being laid in the earth in the winter, will be good-
rooted plants by the autumn following. 2. These
plants may be increased by cuttings, which being
planted in October, in a shady moist border, many of
them will grow; though it will be proper to let those
of the Carolina sort remain until spring, and then to
plant them in pots, and help them by a little heat in
the bed. By this assistance hardly one cutting will
fail. 3. They may be also increased by suckers; for
all the sorts throw out suckers, though the Carolina
syringa the least of any. These will all strike root,
and
and be fit for the nursery ground: nay, the double-flowering and the dwarf sorts are always increased this way; for these plants having stood five or six years, may be taken up and divided into several scores. All the plants, however, whether raised from layers, cuttings, or suckers, should be planted in the nursery-ground to get strength, before they are set out for good. They should be planted a foot asunder, and the distance in the rows should be two feet. After this, they will require no other care than hoeing the weeds, until they have stood about two years, which will be long enough for them to stand there.