HARDY SHRUBS 331 



thrive tolerably well, but when in the full sun they do not thtive 

 unless very carefully watched, nor do they thrive in a limestone 

 soil. Hybrids of R. ponticum are less hardy than those of R. cataw- 

 biense. This species and R. maximum are natives of the Eastern 

 States; they should be given treatment similar to that recommended 

 for Azalea. R. punctatum, a species from North Carolina with small 

 pink flowers is quite hardy North. R. W. Curtis recommends the 

 following varieties: R. album elegans, large, white, early June; R. 

 Mrs. C. S. Sargent, pink, early June; R. Caractacus, red, early June; 

 R. Everestianum, lavender, early; purpureum elegans, purple, 

 early June. 



Propagation. They are increased by layering and grafting on 

 seedling stocks of hardy species, principally R. maximum. 



RHODOTYPOS (White Kerria). The common species, R. 

 kerrioides, is a very desirable Japanese shrub, seldom growing over 

 8 feet high, although in its native country it is said to reach twice 

 that height. The flowers make their appearance as soon as the 

 growths of the current year develop, and keep up quite a display 

 from about the middle of May all through the Summer and Fall 

 months; that is, if the ground does not get too dry. The flowers 

 are snow-white, about 2 inches in diameter, and appear at the ends 

 of the shoots. The plant thrives well on heavy soils, and, although 

 not necessarily, in places crowded and partly shaded by overhead 

 foliage. 



Propagation. The seeds are in shape and size somewhat like 

 those of the Kerria. They may be sown as soon as gathered, as 

 they are slow in germinating; frequently seedlings start at the base 

 of old plants. 



RHUS (Sumach). These trees and shrubs have the interesting 

 character of turning brilliant hues in the Autumn. R. Colinus, 

 the Smoke Tree, is covered during Midsummer with a fringe like 

 growth of seed vessels and pedicels. R. glabra, the Smooth Sumach, 

 is one of the handsomest species, on account of its large, odd-pin- 

 nate leaves. R. g. laciniata has the leaflets much cut up, resembhng 

 the fronds of some Ferns. R. typhina, the Staghorn Sumach, grows 

 from 10 to 30 feet high. The leaves are odd-pinnate, having from 

 II to 3 1 leaflets. R. copallina, the Shining Sumach, is a shrub, grow- 

 ing from I to 7 feet high and is attractive because of its glossy 

 leaves. R. Toxicodendron and R. vernix are poisonous species; the 

 former is known as Poison Oak and Poison Ivy, the latter as Poison 

 Sumach, Poison Elder and Poison Dogwood. 



