St. Johnswort.—A number of small shrubs of the family Hypericum. H. aureum has a height of 3 feet and flourishes in the Southern and Western states. Wild it prefers rocky situations and shady spots. Yellow flowers.
Strawberry Tree, Euonymus atropurpureus.—Also called burning bush. Hardy in the South. Bright ornamental fruit persists into the winter.
Sumach.—Several species of the family Rhus. They are native over a wide range and very hardy. The leaves are pinnately compound and hang down from the top of the stem something like a palm leaf, giving a suggestion of the tropics. Of about 120 species of Rhus some sixteen are found in North America; all but four are shrubs. The poison sumach, Rhus vernix, should never be allowed to grow along the roads as touching the plant is said to be far worse than handling poison ivy. It grows in wet or swampy ground and the white berries are in drooping clusters. The ornamental sumach, R. glabra, is the ordinary common roadway plant, with its upright fruit clusters persisting late into the winter showing deep red against a gray or snowy white background. Its foliage is bright and clean during the summer and turns to rich colors in the autumn. Many ugly spots can with very little trouble be covered with this harmless roadside friend.
Sweet Gale, Myrica gale, and sweet fern, M. asplenifolia, are native small shrubs that can be well used in shrubbery border.
Syringa.—Sometimes called mock orange. This shrub grows to about 8 or 12 feet high and on account of its many white flowers in late spring or early summer is a favorite garden shrub. In shape and fragrance the flowers resemble orange blossoms. It may be used in clumps, masses or in hedges. It is very satisfactory because it seldom fails to bloom and has good appearance afterward. Old wood should be cut out. The best species to plant are Philadelphus coronarius, P. grandiflorus, and P. gordonianus.
Tamarix or Tamarisk.—A shrub of the genus Tamarix, which has been imported from the Mediterranean regions. The feathery foliage reminds one of the cypress vine. The species best adapted to the United States is T. gallica. It bears pink flowers in late summer. Is good for covering unsightly banks. May be propagated from cuttings. It will kill out in extreme winters.
Wegelia, Diervilla florida.—Several varieties. Good blooming plants and usually hardy. Rather poor foliage.
White Alder, Clethra alnifolia.—Native shrub 3 to 10 feet high.
Willow.—Many of the Salix family are shrubby and can be used well in low places. As they come into foliage early in the spring they are often used by the landscape artist. The shining twigs and leaves lend variety.
Yucca.—The yuccas may be used effectively with formal plantings, or to lend variety to naturalesque schemes.