Hardy Ornamental Flowering Trees and Shrubs - A. D. Webster
R. CHRYSANTHUM is a Siberian species (1796) of very dwarf, compact
growth, with linear-lanceolate leaves that are ferruginous on the under
side, and beautiful golden-yellow flowers an inch in diameter. It is a
desirable but scarce species.
R. COLLETTIANUM is an Afghanistan species, and one that may be reckoned
upon as being perfectly hardy. It is of very dwarf habit, and bears an
abundance of small white and faintly fragrant flowers. For planting on
rockwork it is a valuable species.
R. DAHURICUM.--Dahuria, 1780. A small-growing, scraggy-looking species
of about a yard high, with oval-oblong leaves that are rusty-tomentose
on the under sides. The flowers, which are produced in February, are
purple or violet, in twos or threes, and usually appear before the
leaves. It is a sparsely-leaved species, and of greatest value on
account of the flowers being produced so early in the season. One of the
hardiest species in cultivation. R. dahuricum atro-virens is a beautiful
and worthy variety because nearly evergreen.
R. FERRUGINEUM.--Alpine Rose. Europe, 1752. This dwarf species, rarely
exceeding a yard in height, occurs in abundance on the Swiss Alps, and
generally where few other plants are to be found. It is a neat little
compact shrub, with oblong-lanceolate leaves that are rusty-scaly on the
under sides, and has terminal clusters of rosy-red flowers.
R. FLAVUM (_syn Azalea pontica_).--Pontic Azalea. A native of Asia Minor
(1793), is probably the commonest of the recognised species, and may
frequently, in this country, be seen forming good round bushes of 6 feet
in height, with hairy lanceolate leaves, and large yellow flowers,
though in this latter it varies considerably, orange, and orange tinged
with red, being colours often present. It is of free growth in any good
light peaty or sandy soil.
R. HIRSUTUM.--Alpine Rose. South Europe, 1656. Very near R. ferrugincum,
but having ciliated leaves, with glands on both sides. R. hallense and
R. hirsutiforme are intermediate forms of a natural cross between R.
hirsutum and R. ferrugincum. They are handsome, small-growing, brightly
flowered plants, and worthy of culture.
R. INDICUM.--Indian Azalea. A native of China (1808), and perfectly
hardy in the more favoured portions of southern England, where it looks
healthy and happy out of doors, and blooms freely from year to year.
This is the evergreen so-called Azalea that is so commonly cultivated in
greenhouses, with long hirsute leaves, and large showy flowers. R.
indicum amoenum (_syn Azalea amoena_), as a greenhouse plant is common
enough, but except in the South of England and Ireland it is not
sufficiently hardy to withstand severe frost. The flowers are, moreover,
not very showy, at least when compared with some of the newer forms,
being dull magenta, and rather lax of habit.
R. LEDIFOLIUM (_syns Azalea ledifolia_ and _A. liliiflora_).--Ledum-leaved
Azalea. China, 1819. A perfectly hardy species. The flowers are large
and white, but somewhat flaunting. It is, however, a desirable species
for massing in quantity, beside clumps of the pink and yellow flowered
kinds. Though introduced nearly three-quarters of a century ago, this
is by no means a common plant in our gardens.
R. MAXIMUM.--American Great Laurel. North America, 1756. This is a very
hardy American species, growing in favoured localities from 10 feet to
15 feet high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, slightly ferruginous beneath.
Flowers rose and white, in dense clusters. There are several handsome
varieties that vary to a wide extent in the size and colour of flowers.
R. maximum album bears white flowers.
R. MOLLE (_syn Azalea mollis_), from Japan (1867), is a dwarf, deciduous
species of neat growth, with flame-coloured flowers. It is very hardy,
and a desirable acquisition to any collection of small-growing shrubs.
R. OCCIDENTALE (_syn Azalea occidentalis_), Western Azalea, is valuable
in that the flowers are produced later than those of almost any other
species. These are white, blotched with yellow at the base of the upper
petals; and being produced when the leaves are almost fully developed,
have a very pleasing effect, particularly as they are borne in great
quantity, and show well above the foliage. This is a Californian species
that has been found further west of the Rocky Mountains than any other
member of Ihe family.
R. PARVIFOLIUM.--Baiacul, 1877. This is a pleasing and interesting
species, with small deep-green ovate leaves, and clusters of white
flowers, margined with rose. It is of dwarf and neat growth, and well
suited for planting on the rock garden.
R. PONTICUM.--Pontic Rhododendron, or Rose Bay. Asia Minor, 1763. This
is the commonest species in cultivation, and although originally a
native of the district by the Black or Pontic Sea, is now naturalised
in many parts of Europe. It is the hardiest and least exacting of the
large flowered species, and is generally employed as a stock on which
to graft the less hardy kinds. Flowers, in the typical species, pale
purplish-violet and spotted. There is a great number of varieties,
including white, pink, scarlet, and double-flowering.
R. PONTICUM AZALEOIDES (_syn R. ponticum deciduum_), a hybrid between R.
ponticum and a hardy Azalea, is a sub-evergreen form, with a compact
habit of growth, and bearing loose heads of fragrant lavender-and-white
flowers. It is quite hardy at Kew.
R. RACEMOSUM.--Central China, 1880. A neat little species, of dwarf,
compact growth, from the Yunnan district of China. The flowers are pale
pink edged with a deeper tint, about an inch across, and borne in
terminal and axillary clusters. It has stood unharmed for several years
in southern England, so may be regarded as at least fairly hardy. Its
neat dwarf growth, and flowering as it does when hardly a foot high,
renders it a choice subject for the Alpine garden.
R. RHODORA (_syn Rhodora canadensis_).--North America, 1767. In general
aspect this shrub resembles an Azalea, but it comes into flower long
even before R. molle. Being deciduous, and producing its pretty purplish
sweet-scented flowers in early spring, gives to the plant a particular
value for gardening purposes, clumps of the shrub being most effective
at the very time when flowers are at their scarcest. It thrives well in
any peaty soil, and is quite hardy.
R. VISCOSUM (_syn Azalea viscosa_).--Clammy Azalea, or Swamp
Honeysuckle. North America, 1734. This is one of the hardiest, most
floriferous, and easily managed of the family. The white or rose and
deliciously fragrant flowers are produced in great abundance, and impart
when at their best quite a charm to the shrub. It delights in rather
moist, peaty soil, and grows all the stronger and flowers all the more
freely when surrounded by rising ground or tall trees at considerable
distance away. The variety R. viscosum glaucum has leaves paler than
those of the species; and R. viscosum nitidum, of dwarf, compact growth,
has leaves deep green on both sides.
R. WILSONI, a cross between R. ciliatum and R. glaucum, is of remarkably
neat growth, and worthy of cultivation where small-sized kinds are a
desideratum.
The following Himalayan species have been found to thrive well in the
warmer parts of England, and in close proximity to the sea;--R.
argenteum, R. arboreum, R. Aucklandii, R. barbatum, R. ciliatum, R.
campanulatum, R. cinnabarinum, R. Campbelli, R. compylocarpum, R.
eximium, R. Fortunei, R. Falconeri, R. glaucum, R. Hodgsoni, R. lanatum,
R. niveum, R. Roylei, R. Thompsoni, and R. Wallichii.
R. Ungernii and R. Smirnowii, from the Armenian frontier, are also
worthy of culture, but they are at present rare in cultivation in this
country.
Few hardy shrubs, it must be admitted, are more beautiful than these
Rhododendrons, none flowering more freely or lasting longer in bloom.
Their requirements are by no means hard to meet, light, peaty soil, or
even good sandy loam, with a small admixture of decayed vegetable
matter, suiting them well. Lime in any form must, however, be kept away
both from Azaleas and Rhododendrons. They like a quiet, still place,
where a fair amount of moisture is present in the air and soil.
HARDY HYBRID RHODODENDRONS.
GHENT AZALEAS, as generally known, from having been raised in Belgium,
are a race of hybrids that have been produced by crossing the Asiatic R.
pontica with the various American species noted above, but particularly
R. calendulaceum, R. nudiflorum, and R. viscosum, and these latter with
one another. These have produced hybrids of almost indescribable beauty,
the flowers of which range in colour from crimson and pink, through
orange and yellow, to almost white.
Within the last few years quite an interesting race of Rhododendrons has
been brought out, with double or hose-in-hose flowers, and very
appropriately termed the Narcissiflora group. They include fully a dozen
highly ornamental kinds, with flowers of varying shades of colour.
The following list includes some of the best and most beautiful of these
varieties:--
Alba marginata.
Ardens.
Astreans.
Aurore-de-Royghen.
Baron G. Pyke.
BeautE Celeste.
Bessie Holdaway.
Belle Merveille.
Bijou des Amateurs.
Cardinal.
Charles Bowman.
Comte de Flanders.
Decus hortorum.
Due de Provence.
Emperor Napoleon III.
Eugenie.
Fitz Quihou.
Glorie de Belgique.
Gloria Mundi.
Gueldres Rose.
Honneur de Flandre.
Imperator.
Jules Caesar.
La Superbe.
Louis Hellebuyck.
Madame Baumann.
Marie Verschaffelt.
Mathilde.
Meteor.
Nancy Waterer.
Ne Plus Ultra.
Optima.
Pallas.
Queen Victoria.
Reine des Belges.
Remarquable.
Roi des Belges.
Roi des Feux.
Sinensis rosea.
Sulphurea.
Triumphans.
Unique.
Viscocephala.
Double-flowered Rhododendrons:--
Bijou de Gendbrugge.
Graf Von Meran.
Heroine.
Narcissiflora.
Louis AimEe Van Houtte.
Mina Van Houtte.
OphiriE.
Van Houttei.
RHODOTHAMNUS.
RHODOTHAMNUS CHAMAECISTUS (_syn Rhododendron Chamaecistus_).--Ground
Cistus. Alps of Austria and Bavaria, 1786. A very handsome shrub, of
small growth, and widely distributed in Bavaria, Switzerland, and
elsewhere. Planted in peaty soil and in a rather damp, shady situation
it thrives best, the oval-serrate leaves, covered with white, villous
hairs, and pretty rosy flowers, giving it an almost unique appearance.
It is a charming rock shrub and perfectly hardy.
RHODOTYPOS.
RHODOTYPOS KERRIOIDES.--White Kerria. Japan, 1866. A handsome deciduous
shrub, and one that is readily propagated, and comparatively cheap. It
is distinct and pretty when in flower, and one of the hardiest and most
accommodating of shrubs. The leaves are handsome, being deeply serrated
and silky on the under sides, while the pure white flowers are often
about 2 inches across. It grows about 4 feet in height, and is a very
distinct and desirable shrub.
RHUS.
RHUS COTINUS.--Smoke Plant, Wig Tree, or Venetian Sumach. Spain to
Caucasus, 1656. On account of its singular appearance this shrub always
attracts the attention of even the most unobservant in such matters. It
is a spreading shrub, about 6 feet high, with rotundate, glaucous
leaves, on long petioles. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but
the feathery nature of the flower clusters, occasioned by the
transformation of the pedicels and hairs into fluffy awns, renders this
Sumach one of the most curious and attractive of hardy shrubs. Spreading
about freely, this south European shrub should be allowed plenty of room
so that it may become perfectly developed.
R. GLABRA (_syns R. caroliniana, R. coccinea, R. elegans_, and _R.
sanguinea_).--Smooth or Scarlet Sumach. North America, 1726. A smaller
tree than the last, with leaves that are deep glossy-green above and
whitish beneath. The male tree bears greenish-yellow flowers, and the
female those of a reddish-scarlet, but otherwise no difference between
the trees can be detected. R. glabra laciniata (Fern Sumach) is a
distinct and handsome variety, with finely cut elegant leaves, and a
dwarf and compact habit of growth. The leaves are very beautiful, and
resemble those of the Grevillea robusta. It is a worthy variety.
R. SUCCEDANEA.--Red Lac Sumach. Japan, 1768. This is not often seen
planted out, though in not a few places it succeeds perfectly well. It
has elegant foliage, each leaf being 15 inches long, and divided into
several pairs of leaflets.
R. TOXICODENDRON.--Poison Oak or Poison Ivy. North America, 1640. This
species is of half-scandent habit, with large, trifoliolate leaves,
which turn of various tints of red and crimson in the autumn. It is
quite hardy, and seen to best advantage when allowed to run over large
rockwork and tree stumps in partial shade. The variety R. toxicodendron
radicans has ample foliage, and is suited for similar places to the
last. The leaves turn bright yellow in the autumn.
R. TYPHINA.--Stag's Horn Sumach, or Vinegar Tree. A native of North
America (1629), and a very common shrub in our gardens, probably on
account of its spreading rapidly by suckers. It is, when well grown, a
handsome and distinct shrub or small tree, with large, pinnate, hairy
leaves, and shoots that are rendered very peculiar by reason of the
dense hairs with which they are covered for some distance back. The
dense clusters of greenish-yellow flowers are sure to attract attention,
although they are by no means pretty. R. typhina viridiflora is the
male-flowered form of this species, with green flowers.
R. VENENATA (_syn R. vernix_).--Poison Elder, Sumach, or Dogwood. North
America, 1713. This is remarkable for its handsome foliage, and is the
most poisonous species of the genus.
All the Sumachs grow and flower freely in any good garden soil, indeed,
in that respect they are not at all particular. They throw up shoots
freely, so that increasing the stock is by no means difficult.
RIBES.
RIBES ALPINUM PUMILUM AUREUM.--Golden Mountain Currant. The ordinary
green form is a native of Britain, of which the plant named above is a
dwarf golden-leaved variety.
R. AUREUM.--Buffalo Currant. North-west America, 1812. In this species
the leaves are lobed and irregularly toothed, while the flowers are
yellow, or slightly reddish-tinted. It is of rather slender and
straggling growth. R. aureum praecox is an early-flowering variety; and
R. aureum serotinum is valued on account of the flowers being produced
much later than are those of the parent plant.
R. CEREUM (_syn R. inebrians_).--North America, 1827. One of the
dwarfer-growing species of Flowering Currant, forming a low, dense bush
of Gooseberry-like appearance, but destitute of spines. By May it is in
full flower, and the blooms, borne in large clusters, have a pretty
pinkish tinge. The foliage is small, neat, and of a tender green that
helps to set off the pretty flowers to perfection. It is a native of
North-west America, and perfectly hardy in every part of the country.
Though not equal in point of floral beauty with our common flowering
Currant, still the miniature habit, pretty and freely-produced
pink-tinted flowers, and fresh green foliage will all help to make it an
acquisition wherever planted. Like the other species of Ribes the
present plant grows and flowers very freely in any soil, and almost
however poor.
R. FLORIDUM (_syns R. missouriense_ and _R. pennsylvanicum_).--American
Wild Black Currant. North America, 1729. This should be included in all
collections for its pretty autumnal foliage, which is of a bright
purplish bronze.
R. GORDONIANUM (_syns R. Beatonii_ and _R. Loudonii_) is a hybrid
between R. aureum and R. sanguineum, and has reddish, yellow tinged
flowers, and partakes generally of the characters of both species.
R. MULTIFLORUM, Eastern Europe (1822), is another desirable species,
with long drooping racemes of greenish-yellow flowers, and small red
berries.
R. SANGUINEUM.--Flowering Currant. North-west America, 1826. An old
inhabitant of our gardens, and well deserving of all that can be said in
its favour as a beautiful spring-flowering shrub. It is of North
American origin, with deep red and abundantly-produced flowers. There
are several distinct varieties as follows:--R. sanguineum flore-pleno
(Burning Bush), with perfectly double flowers, which are produced later
and last longer than those of the species; R. sanguineum album, with
pale pink, or almost white flowers; R. sanguineum atro-rubens, with
deeply-coloured flowers; R. sanguineum glutinosum and R. sanguineum
grandiflorum, bearing compact clusters of flowers that are rosy-flesh
coloured on the outside and white or pinky-white within.
R. SPECIOSUM.--Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry. California, 1829. A
Californian species, remarkable for being more or less spiny, and with
flowers resembling some of the Fuchsias. They are crimson, and with
long, protruding stamens. As a wall plant, where it often rises to 6
feet in height, this pretty and taking species is most often seen.
The flowering Currants are of unusually free growth, and are not at all
particular about soil, often thriving well in that of a very poor
description. They are increased readily from cuttings and by layers.
ROBINIA.
ROBINIA DUBIA (_syns R. echiuata_ and _R. ambigua_).--A very pretty
garden hybrid form, said to have for its parentage R. Pseud-Acacia and
R. viscosa. It is of quite tree-like growth and habit, with unusually
short spines, and Pea-green foliage. The flowers are produced pretty
freely, and are of a pale rose colour, and well set off by the
light-green leaves, over which they hang in neat and compact spikes.
R. HISPIDA.--Rose Acacia. North America, 1743. Amongst large-growing
shrubs this is certainly one of the most distinct and handsome, and at
the same time one of the hardiest and readiest of culture. Under
favourable conditions it grows about 16 feet high, with large oval or
oblong leaflets, and having the young branches densely clothed with
bristles. The flowers, which are individually larger than those of the
False Acacia, are of a beautiful rosy-pink, and produced in June and
July. It is a very ornamental, small growing species, and one that is
peculiarly suitable for planting where space is limited. R. hispida
macrophylla (Large-leaved Rose Acacia) is rendered distinct by its
generally more robust growth, and by its larger foliage and flowers. The
species, however, varies a good deal in respect of the size of leaves
and flowers.
R. PSEUD-ACACIA.--Common Locust, Bastard Acacia, or False Acacia. North
America, 1640. A noble-growing and handsome tree, with smooth shoots,
and stipules that become transformed into sharp, stiff spines. The
flowers are in long racemes, pure-white or slightly tinged with pink,
and with a faint pleasing odour. This species has been sub-divided into
a great number of varieties, some of which are very distinct, but the
majority are not sufficiently so to warrant special attention. The
following include the best and most popular kinds:--R. Pseud-Acacia
Decaisneana, a distinct form bearing light pinky flowers; R.
Pseud-Acacia Bessoniana, with thornless branches and a dense head of
refreshing Pea-green foliage; R. Pseud-Acacia angustifolia, with narrow
leaves; R. Pseud-Acacia aurea, a conspicuous but not very constant
golden leaved form; R. Pseud-Acacia inermis, of which there are weeping,
upright, and broad-leaved forms, has narrow leaves that are glaucous
beneath, and the characteristic spines of the species are wanting or
rarely well developed. R. Pseud-Acacia monophylla is very distinct, the
leaves being entire instead of pinnate; while R. Pseud-Acacia crispa has
curiously-curled foliage. Then there is the peculiar R. Pseud-Acacia
tortuosa, of ungainly habit; R. Pseud-Acacia umbraculifera, with a
spreading head; R. Pseud-Acacia sophoraefolia, the leaves of which
resemble those of Sophora japonica; and R. Pseud-Acacia amorphaefolia,
with very large foliage when compared with the parent tree. The above
may be taken as the most distinct and desirable forms of the False
Acacia, but there are many others, such as R. Pseud-Acacia colutoides,
R. Pseud-Acacia semperflorens, and R. Pseud-Acacia Rhederi, all more or
less distinct from the typical tree.
R. VISCOSA (_syn R. glutinosa_).--Clammy Locust. North America, 1797.
This is a small-growing tree, and readily distinguished by the clammy
bark of the younger shoots. Flowers in short racemes, and of a beautiful
rose-pink, but varying a good deal in depth of tint. It is a valuable
species for ornamental planting, and flowers well even in a young state.
Few soils would seem to come amiss to the Acacias, but observations
made in many parts of the country conclusively prove that the finest
specimens are growing on light, rich loam overlying a bed of gravel.
They are propagated from seed, by layers, or by grafting.
ROSA.
ROSA ALBA.--This is a supposed garden hybrid between R. canina and R.
gallica (1597). It has very glaucous foliage, and large flowers, which
vary according to the variety from pure white to rose.
R. REPENS (_syn R. arvensis_).--Field Rose. Europe (Britain). This
species bears white flowers that are produced in threes or fours, rarely
solitary. The whole plant is usually of weak and straggling growth, with
shining leaves.
R. BRACTEATA (Macartney Rose), R. PALUSTRIS (Marsh Rose), and R.
MICROPHYLLA (small-leaved Rose), belong to that section supplied with
floral leaves or bracts, and shaggy fruit. They are of compact growth,
with neat, shining leaves, the flowers of the first-mentioned being rose
or carmine, and those of the other two pure white.
R. CANINA.--Dog Rose. Our native Roses have now been reduced to five
species, of which the present is one of the number. It is a straggling
shrub, 6 feet or 8 feet high, and armed with curved spines. Flowers
sweet-scented, pink or white, and solitary, or in twos or threes at the
branch tips.
R. CENTIFOLIA.--Hundred-leaved, or Cabbage Rose. Orient, 1596. A
beautiful, sweetly-scented species, growing to 6 feet in height, and
having leaves that are composed of from three to five broadly ovate,
toothed leaflets. The flowers are solitary, or two or three together,
drooping, and of a rosy hue, but differing in tint to a considerable
extent. This species has varied very much, principally through the
influences of culture and crossing, the three principal and marked
variations being size, colour, and clothing of the calyx tube. There are
the common Provence Roses, the miniature Provence or Pompon Roses, and
the Moss Rose--all of which are merely races of R. centifolia.
R. DAMASCENA.--Damask Rose. Orient, 1573. A bushy shrub varying from 2
feet to 8 feet in height according to cultural treatment and age. The
flowers are white or red, large, borne in corymbose clusters, and
produced in great profusion during June and July. The varieties that
have arisen under cultivation by seminal variation, hybridisation, or
otherwise are exceedingly numerous. Those now grown are mostly double,
and a large proportion of them are light in colour. They include the
quatre saisons and the true York and Lancaster. The flowers are highly
fragrant, and, like those of R. centifolia and other species, are used
indiscriminately for the purpose of making rose water. The species is
distinguished from R. centifolia by its larger prickles, elongated
fruit, and long, reflexed sepals.
R. FEROX.--North Asia. This species bears flowers in clusters of two and
three together, terminating the branches. The petals are white with a
yellow base. The branches are erect, and thickly crowded with prickles
of unequal size.
R. GALLICA.--The French, or Gallic Rose. Europe and Western Asia. This
Rose forms a bushy shrub 2 feet to 3 feet high, and has been so long
grown in British gardens that the date of its introduction has been lost
in obscurity. It is doubtless the red Rose of ancient writers, but at
present the flowers may be red, crimson, or white, and there are
varieties of all intermediate shades. Several variegated or striped
Roses belong here, including Gloria Mundi, a popular favourite often but
erroneously grown under the name of York and Lancaster. They all flower
in June and July, and, together with other kinds that flower about the
same time, are generally known as summer or old-fashioned garden Roses.
R. HEMISPHAERICA (_syn R. sulphurea_).--Orient, 1629. A bushy plant
growing from 4 feet to 6 feet high, and bearing large double yellow
flowers.
R. INDICA.--Common China, or Monthly Rose. Introduced from China, near
Canton, in 1789, but the native country is not known with certainty. The
flowers of the plant when first introduced were red and generally
semi-double, but the varieties now vary through all shades of blush,
rose, and crimson, and the plant varies exceedingly in height, in its
different forms 1 foot to 20 feet in height. The Monthly Roses form
bushes generally about 2 feet high or a little over. The Noisette and
Tea Roses, with several other more or less distinct types, belong here,
but as most of them are well known and otherwise well cared for, it is
unnecessary to dwell upon them in detail beyond the two varieties here
given, and which should not be overlooked.