The common rhubarbs are said by some of our authorities to have chiefly sprung from Rheum Rhaponticum, and some of them have also come from the wavy-leaved Rheum (R. undulatum). In any case, some of the garden varieties of rhubarb are worth planting for ornamental purposes. They have been so planted in Hyde Park, but in masses—not the proper way to employ them. Kinds deserving of notice are R. australe, R. compactum, R. rugosum, R. hybridum, Victoria rhubarb (a garden variety, with very large leaves and long red stalks), Myatt’s Linnæus, and Prince Albert (also garden varieties, and splendid ornamental plants). Mr. Shirley Hibberd says he has found Scott’s Monarch to be the most imposing and ornamental of all the garden varieties.
*Rhus Cotinus (Venetian Sumach).—A bushy shrub, about 6½ ft. high, with simple, smooth, shining green leaves, and a very remarkable feathery inflorescence of a deep red colour. It requires a dry, gravelly, warm soil, and will grow in the most arid positions. Where it thrives the effect of its peculiar inflorescence is very fine and distinct. It is used with most effect as an isolated specimen, though it would group very well with such plants as Lindley’s Spiræa. S. Europe.
*Rhus glabra laciniata.—This variety of the smooth or scarlet Sumach is a small shrub with compound leaves, growing from 4 ft. to 7 ft. high, a native of North America, with finely-cut and elegant leaves, the strongest being about a foot long when the plants have been established a year or two. When seen on an established plant, these leaves combine the beauty of those of the finest Grevillea with that of a fern frond, while the youngest and unfolding leaves remind one of the aspect of a finely-cut umbelliferous plant in spring. The variety observable in the shape, size, and aspect of the foliage makes the plant charming to look upon, while the midribs of the fully-grown leaves are red, and in autumn the whole glow off into bright colour after the fashion of American shrubs and trees. During the entire season it is presentable, and there is no fear of any vicissitude of weather injuring it. Its great merit is that, in addition to being so elegant in foliage, it has a very dwarf habit, and is thoroughly hardy. Plants three years old and undisturbed for the last two years are not more
than eighteen inches high. The heads of some are branched, but these are not less elegant than when in a simple-stemmed state, so that here we have clearly a subject that will afford a charming fern-like effect in the full sun, and add graceful verdure and distinction to the flower-garden. When the flowers show after the plant is a few years old, they may be pinched off; but this need only be practised in the case of permanent groups or plantings of it. To produce the effect of a Grevillea or a fern on a small scale, we should of course keep this graceful Rhus small and propagate it like a bedding-plant. Like most other shrubs, it has a tendency to branch; but to fully enjoy the beauty of the leaves it is best to cut down the plants yearly, as then the leaves given off from the simple erect stem are much larger and more graceful. It will, however, be necessary to allow it to become established before treating it in this way, as it is at present comparatively new to our gardens. The figure, sketched early in August, represents a young plant little more than a foot high, which had been cut down to the ground during the spring of the past year, and proves that its full beauty may be enjoyed in a very small state. It may be most tastefully used in association with bedding-plants, or on banks in or near the rock-garden or hardy fernery, planting it in light sandy loam. The graceful mixtures and bouquet-*like beds that might be made with the aid of such plants need not be suggested here, while of course an established plant, or groups of three, might well form the centre of a bed. Planting a very small bed or group separately in the flower-garden, and many other uses which cannot be enumerated here, will occur to those who have once tried it. Some hardy plants of fine foliage are either so rampant or so topheavy that they cannot be wisely associated with bedding-plants. This is, on the contrary, as tidy and tractable a grower as the most fastidious could desire. It would be a mistake to put such a pretty plant under or near rough trees and shrubs. Give it the full sun, and good free soil.
*Rhus vernicifera is distinct from the preceding, and has fine leaves. It is a native of Japan, and the source of the best Japan varnish according to Thunberg. Useful for grouping with the preceding or other hardy shrubs of like character.
*Ricinus communis (Castor-oil Plant).—When well grown in the open air, there is not in the whole range of cultivated plants a more imposing subject than this. It may have been seen nearly 12 ft. high in the London parks of late years, and with leaves nearly 1 yd. wide. It is true we require a bed of very rich deep earth under it to make it attain such dimensions and beauty; but in all parts, and with ordinary attention, it grows well. In warm countries, in which the plant is very widely cultivated, it becomes a small tree, but is much prettier in the state in which it is seen with us—i.e., with an unbranched stem clothed from top to bottom with noble leaves. Soon after it betrays, a tendency to develope side-shoots the cold autumn comes and puts an end to all further progress; and so much the better, because it is much handsomer in a simple-stemmed state than any other. The same is true of not a few other large-leaved plants—once they break into a number of side-shoots their leaf beauty is to a great extent lost. It is as easily raised from seed as the common bean, requiring, however, to be raised in heat. It should be sown about the middle of February, and the plants gradually hardened off so as to be fit to put out by the middle of May. The Ricinus is a grand plant for making bold and noble beds near those of the more brilliant flowers, and tends to vary the flower-garden finely. It is not well to associate it closely with bedding-plants, in consequence of the strong growth and shading power of the leaves, so to speak. A good plan is to make a compact group of the plant in the centre of some wide circular bed and surround it with a band of a dwarfer subject, say the Aralia or Caladium, and then finish with whatever arrangement of the flowering plants may be most admired. A bold and striking centre may be obtained, while the effect of the flowers is much enhanced, especially if the planting be nicely graduated and tastefully done. For such groups the varieties of the Castor-oil plant are not likely to be surpassed. East Indies.