8 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 345 



persistent, half-evergreen leaves permit its possible use as a ground cover for 

 open, sunny, well-drained spots. In New England its fragrant, dark-colored, 

 inconspicuous, spring-borne flowers rarely produce in autumn the large, 

 sickishly sweet-fleshed, edible, blue fruits. When completely naturalized, it 

 may become quite rampant. 



Althaea — See Hibiscus 



Alyssum argenteum SILVER AlySSUM 



A hardy subshrub with silver-gray foliage and clusters of yellow flowers 

 which appear later than those of A. saxatile and continue throughout the 

 summer. Reaching a height of some eighteen inches, this plant is suitable for 

 banks, retaining walls, or the top of the large rockery. 



ALYSSUM SAXATILE var. COMPACTUM DWARF GoLDEN-TuFT 



This is the familiar, May-flowering, yellow subshrub so frequently used on 

 banks and walls throughout the East. Many of the plants so labeled are really 

 seedlings of type material. Such misnamed specimens have rapid lateral 

 spread and soon become too rampant for the small rockery. 



AMELANCHIER CANADENSIS DOWNY SHADBLOW 



Compared with A. laevis, the more common Shadblow, this species is of 

 slightly lesser stature, more bushy in habit, and less showy in flower. A plant 

 for wide borders or woodland planting. 



AMELANCHIER LAEVIS Allegheny Shadblow 



A deciduous native shrub or multiple-stemmed tree growing to a height of 

 some forty feet. The smooth, rounded leaves, purple upon first expanding, 

 the numerous hanging clusters of small, open, white, May-borne flowers, and 

 a graceful habit, all go to make this one of the best of the several eastern Shad- 

 blows, all of which have ornamental value. The purple fruit is edible and 

 sweet in taste. Something for the edges of woodlands or roadsides. 



AMELANCHIER STOLONIFERA RUNNING SHADBLOW 



Limited to a height of some four or five feet and able to spread out from a 

 common center by free-growing suckers, this deciduous plant has possibilities 

 as a ground cover for large areas along roadsides. Its leaves and flower stems 

 are usually of a woolly whiteness. Its white flowers are borne in upright 

 clusters and appear somewhat later than those of A. laevis, to be followed in 

 midsummer by edible fruits. 



Ampelopsis — See also Parthenocissus 



AMPELOPSIS ACONITIFOLIA Monkshood Vine 



A slender, tendril-climbing, deciduous vine which in habit and aspect of 

 foliage resembles a cut-leaf grape. The inconspicuous green flowers are followed 

 by berries which in process of maturing change in color from blue to orange 

 throughout the summer and autumn. It does not make a dense screen. Cul- 

 tural requirements are about the same as for wild grape. 



ampelopsis brevipedunculata (A. heterophylla) Porcelain Ampelopsis 

 A strong-growing, deciduous, tendril climber having grape-like foliage. 

 Valuable because of autumn show of berries in their several ripening color 

 stages — lilac, green, turquoise, or whitish — which appear simultaneously. 

 A plant which can form a dense screen on trellises or a fine cover for dry walls, 

 rocky ledges, or barren places. It likes full sun but will withstand partial 

 shade. Var. elegans has silver variegated leaves. 



