264 ' TREES AND SHRUBS 



of shrubs, and largely used for flowering in pots or 

 tubs. They form a dense mat of fibres, and can 

 therefore be lifted with little check. Owing to this 

 they can, when ordinary care is used, be transferred 

 to new quarters without losing a leaf, not only when 

 potted, but also when planted out in the open ground. 

 Hard forcing must be avoided, but the Rhododen- 

 drons may be brought on gradually in gentle heat. 

 Under this treatment they must be well supplied 

 with water, and liberal syringing is also beneficial. 

 The wide range of colouring in the Rhododendron 

 family gives an opportunity for getting almost any 

 shade desired. 



Rhodotypus kerrioides. — A beautiful Japanese 

 shrub, reminding one of a Kerria, but the flowers are 

 white. It will succeed with the same treatment as 

 the Kerria requires. 



RiBES (Flowering Currant). — Both the yellow- 

 flowered R. aureum and the curious forms of 

 R. sanguinea can be brought into flower early 

 under glass, but the flowers do not last long, and 

 for this reason the shrubs are little used for the 

 purpose. 



Spir^as. — An extensive family, some of which 

 bloom delightfully when lifted and potted in the 

 autumn and brought into flower in gentle heat. 

 They may also be grown permanently in pots, but 

 as a rule autumn potting is preferable. The most 

 popular is 5. confusa or media, but also very charming 

 are S. arguta, one of the most beautiful of all Spiraeas, 

 5. Van Houttei, S. Thunbergi, and S. prunifolia fl. pi, 



