156 Ornamental Shrubs. 



the alpinum, attaining a height of four to eight feet under 

 favorable conditions, and a breadth of from three to six. Its 

 leaves are three-lobed, toothed, ciliated at the base, and of 

 good color. The blossoms appear in May, and are bright 

 yellow with pink stamens, the petals being considerably 

 shorter than the calyx segments. The fruit ripens late in 

 midsummer, and is also yellow, though occasionally tinted 

 with purple or black. As it is edible, it serves the double 

 purpose of being both useful and ornamental. R.fragrans 

 is a variety with larger and more fragrant flowers. 



R. floridii-m is our common black currant, and by 

 some is supposed to be a variety of the aurenm. It is a 

 native of New England, and grows freely along the Alle- 

 ghany ranges and throughout the far West. Its foliage is 

 often sprinkled with white resinous dots, and in autumn 

 assumes a tint of bronze which adds to its attractions. 

 The tubular, bell-shaped flowers show themselves in June, 

 and are produced in quite large racemes somewhat downy 

 and of a greenish-white color. The fruit is nearly 

 round, dark-colored, and by many esteemed for culinary 

 purposes. 



R. sangume^im grows from three to four feet, and, un- 

 like most of the others, blossoms in midsummer. The 

 flowers are carmine and yellow, and in rich clusters hang- 

 ing among the leaves and branches, producing a fine effect. 

 There is a double-flowering variety still more attractive, 

 but, unfortunately, neither of these is entirely hardy in the 

 Northern States, and if planted there must be given 

 favored location, or receive especial protection in winter. 

 Farther south it is hardy. R. gordonianum is supposed to 



