BEAUTIFUL DECIDUOUS TREES AND SHRUBS. 



407 



weeping, cut-leaved, golden-leaved, and purple forms. 

 Concordia is a very handsome golden-leaved variety. 



Q. rubra. — A handsome tree in the way of Q. coccinea, 

 but the large sharply-cut leaves die off more of a purplish 

 red than the scarlet hue of the other. 



Rhodotypos kerrioides. — A Japanese shrub much like 

 a Kerria, except that the flowers are pure white ; indeed, 

 it is even in some catalogues spoken of as a white- 

 flowered Kerria. It is increased by cuttings put in a 

 frame in July or by division in the autumn. 



Rhus (the Sumachs). — These may readily be divided into two 

 classes — firstly, those with compound leaves, and, secondly, 

 those with undivided foliage, the best-known example of 

 which is the Venetian Sumach (Rhus Cotinus). In some 

 of them the long compound leaves are very handsome, 

 and nearly all are remarkable for the rich colours that the 

 leaves assume in the autumn before they drop. They 

 are not at all particular as to soil or situation, and can in 

 most cases be increased by root cuttings, taken in the 

 winter, cut into lengths of about 6in., and inserted per- 

 pendicularly in light sandy soil, the upper portion of the 

 root being about lin. below the surface of the soil. A 

 few of them can be increased by layers, notably the 

 Venetian Sumach. The best kinds are : 



R. GOtinoideS. — This is generally seen as a shrub, though 

 in America it attains the dimensions of a small tree. It 

 is chiefly remarkable for the bright orange scarlet 

 tints that the leaves assume in the autumn before they 

 fall. During a dull autumn this is often the brightest 

 tree or shrub that we have. 



R. Cotinus. — A beautiful shrub, chiefly noteworthy for its 

 curious inflorescence. The flowers are borne in a much- 

 branched panicle, which also produces a number of 

 thread-like filaments clothed with fine hairs. These are 

 sufficiently numerous to envelop the greater part of the 

 plant in masses of pinky wool-like substance during the 

 latter part of July and in August. It is on this account 

 sometimes called the Wig or Smoke Plant. In the variety 

 atropurpurea the panicles are of a purplish hue. The 

 leaves turn yellow in the autumn. 



R. glabra. — The long pinnate leaves of this are very 

 handsome, and of a deep green, while they are quite 

 smooth. There is a variety, laciniata, in which the 

 leaflets are cut and slashed, the entire leaf being almost 

 as finely divided as a Fern. The decaying leaves are 

 rich red. 



R. Toxicodendron (Poison Ivy). — A climbing species 

 with trifoliate leaves, which are very attractive in the 

 autumn ; it must be here alluded to in order to call attention 

 to the excessively poisonous nature of the sap, from which 

 circumstance it is known in North America as the Poison 

 Ivy. It should not be placed where children can have 

 easy access to it. 



R. typhina. — This, which is known as the Stag's-horn 

 Sumach, is one of the finest of all. When not more than 

 loft, or 12ft. high it is of quite tree-like habit, the sturdy 

 wide-spreading branches being clothed with long pinnate 

 leaves, which in the autumn change to a brilliant crimson. 

 The male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, 

 the latter being by far the more showy. They are borne 

 in terminal spikes, and so thickly covered with short 

 hairs as to appear like reddish velvet. 



Ribes. — Included in the genus Ribes are the Gooseberry 

 and Currant, and of the latter two species take high rank 

 as flowering shrubs. They are the Flowering Currant 

 (Ribes sanguineum) and the Golden Currant (R. aureum). 

 Both can be readily propagated by cuttings put in sandy 

 soil in the open ground during the autumn. 



R. aureum. — This is a slender-growing bush with lobed 

 leaves of a cheerful green, and a profusion of yellow 

 blossoms, borne in April and May, as a rule slightly later 

 than those of the flowering Currant. 



R. missouriensis. — This is now called R. americanum, 

 and is chiefly or note for its bright claret-coloured leaves 

 in autumn. 



R. sanguineum. — An old and well-known shrub that 

 will succeed in almost any soil or situation, and of which 

 there are several distinct varieties in cultivation. Prominent 



among them are albidum, with whitish blossoms ; atro- 

 rubens, deep red; glutinosum, pinkish lilac ; Gordonianum, 

 yellowish red ; and flore-pleno with pretty double 

 flowers. 



R. speeiosum, the Fuchsia-flowered Currant, has bright 

 crimson flowers, and is a very interesting species. 



Robinia. — Ornamental flowering trees, the best-known 

 being the False Acacia (R. Pseudacacia), of which there 

 are many varieties. They will succeed even in dry stony 

 soils, and retain their freshness through a long spell of 

 drought. The common kind is easily raised from seeds, 

 and the others may be grafted thereon in the spring before 

 they start into growth, but get all upon their own roots. 

 The two best species are : 



R. hispida (Hose Acacia). — A low tree with spreading 

 branches, and young shoots clothed with hairs, whilst the 

 clusters of pea-shaped blossoms are of a beautiful rosy pink 

 colour, and borne in June and July. 



R. Pseudacacia. — Quite a timber tree of rugged growth, 

 while the prettily divided leaves are bright green. The 

 flowers, which are borne in May, are white, but in one 

 variety, Decaisneana, they are pink, while semperflorens 

 will maintain a scattered succession of blooms throughout 

 the summer. Other varieties are : Angustifolia elegans, with 

 narrow leaflets ; aurea, golden foliage ; and umbraculifera, 

 a compact form which, grafted standard high on the 

 common kind, is known as Mop-headed Acacia ; 

 Bessoniana is a very fine variety, which is sometimes 

 advertised as on its own roots. It is vigorous, leafy, and 

 is a good town tree. 



Rubus (Bramble). — Some of these are well known, but 

 there are not many that rank high as ornamental 

 subjects, though a few exceptions occur. The best are : 



R. biflorUS. — A sturdy, upright-growing Bramble that will 

 reach a height of 6ft. to 10ft., and is remarkable for the 

 peculiar white stems, which in winter are very conspicuous. 

 This is the best of the white-stemmed Brambles, and 

 should be grouped for the sake of its stems alone 



R. deliciOSUS. — A Currant-like shrub, which in April 

 is laden with blossoms 2in. in diameter, like single 

 white Roses. A delightful shrub, worth planting upon 

 the lawn. 



R. frutieosus flore-pleno (R. exsecatus). — This variety 

 of one of our native Brambles produces in great profusion, 

 during July and August, clusters of very double pink 

 blossoms. 



R. nutkanUS. — An upright-growing shrub about lyd. 



high, with bold lobed leaves and white flowers. 

 R. OdoratUS, much like the last, but with purple 



blossoms. 



There are so many kinds that space does not permit 

 of every one being described. The white-stemmed 

 R. biflorus should be more planted. It is as yet very rare, 

 but too charming in winter to be forgotten. Its stems 

 have a peculiar effect by moonlight. 

 St. John's Wort. — See Hypericum. 



Salisburia adiantifolia, also known as Ginkgo biloba, 

 is a native of China, and a very distinct tree. The trunk is 

 generally straight and erect, while the branches have also 

 an upward tendency. The minor shoots droop somewhat. 

 The leaves are in shape like the pinnules of the Maiden- 

 hair Fern, hence it is often called the Maidenhair Tree. 

 The foliage dies off yellow in the autumn, and is then very 

 conspicuous. 



Salix. — The Willows are a beautiful group, and rapidly 

 form good-sized bushes in any damp spot, while a few 

 attain to the dimensions of trees. They are all readily 

 increased by cuttings stuck in the ground at any time when 

 dormant. Particular mention may be made of : 



S. alba. — A large, graceful tree, of which the Orange and 

 Cardinal Willows, both remarkable for their brilliant- 

 coloured bark, are regarded as varieties. These richly- 

 coloured kinds should be planle 1 by water. Their effect 

 in winter is decidedly good. 



S. babyloniea. — The ordinary Weeping Willow, which 

 forms quite a tree, and its slender shoots hang gracefully. 

 There is a variety, annularis, in which theleavesare often 

 in the shape of a ring encircling the shoots. 



