104 MY SHRUBS 



chamacistuS) a dainty dwarf from the Eastern European Alps, is 

 also a rhododendron. I have failed signally with this little shrub, 

 and am trying again on a moraine, with lime in the soil. Here 

 it appears to be hearty enough, and is making useful growth. 



Rhodotypos kerrioides is a hardy Japanese climber for a wall, 

 and goes well with Kerria anywhere. The flowers are white and 

 solitary, followed by black fruits. 



Only two Sumachs dwell here : the old Rhus Cotinus, which 

 roams Europe, and is familiar from Spain to the Caucasus, and 

 R. typhina lacinata, a fine, fern-leaved variety of the Stag's Horn 

 sumach with splendid autumn colour. 



The rare R. vernicifera, the Japanese Lacquer or Varnish-Tree, 

 is now in cultivation, and must be prevailed to augment my meagre 

 list. But avoid R. toxicodendron. I have known those who 

 suffered much after ignorantly handling this handsome Poison- Ivy. 



Rhynchospermum jasminoides is a fragrant, jasmine-flowered 

 climbing evergreen from Shanghai, and appreciates a cool and 

 sheltered wall in half shade with the Chilians. Full sun might 

 suit it even better. It does not grow here as one may see it in 

 Italy : at Florence great walls are covered with it ; but this is a 

 desirable shrub in Western gardens, and will stand severe cold. 

 You may call it Trachelospermum jasminoides, and many people do 

 so ; but it is only a choice of evils, and can give you little relief. 

 Indeed the whole nomenclature of the world's flora is an infamy, 

 and cries both to reason and heaven to be swept away. Could not 

 an effort be made to change it all when simplified spelling falls 

 upon us ? But we of the old brigade will miss that coming devilry, 

 and if Rhynchospermum is planted upon our stately tombs, doubt- 

 less it must be under the present name. 



