S. COCCINEA, from North America (1806), is another uncommon species in which the leaves are oblong and petiolate, and the flowers red or scarlet.  For purposes similar to the last this species may be employed.

SCHIZOPHRAGMA.

SCHIZOPHRAGMA HYDRANGEOIDES.—­Climbing Hydrangea.  Japan, 1879.  As yet this is an uncommon shrub, and allied to the Hydrangea.  It is of slender growth, the stems rooting into the support, and with pinky-white flowers.  As an ornamental climber it is of no great value, and requires a favoured spot to grow it at all satisfactorily.

SHEPHERDIA.

SHEPHERDIA ARGENTEA.—­Beef Suet Tree, or Rabbit Berry.  North America, 1820.  This shrub is rendered of particular interest on account of the intense silvery hue of the foliage.  The leaves are narrow and lanceolate, silvery on both sides, and dotted over with rusty-brown scales beneath.  The flowers, which are produced in April, are small and yellow, unisexual, or each sex on a distinct plant.  Berries scarlet, about the size of red Currants, and ripe about September.

S. CANADENSIS.—­North America, 1759.  This is a small-growing, straggling species, fully 4 feet high, and clothed with rusty scales.  The leaves are ovate or elliptic, and green above, and the flowers of an inconspicuous yellow, succeeded by orange-red berries.

SKIMMIA.

SKIMMIA FORTUNEI.—­Japan, 1845.  This is a neat-growing shrub, with glossy, laurel-like leaves, white or greenish-white flowers, and an abundance of scarlet berries in autumn.  It succeeds best in a somewhat shady situation, and when planted in not too heavy peaty soil, but where abundance of not stagnant moisture is present.

S. JAPONICA (of Thunberg) (syn S. oblata).—­Japan, 1864.  A neat-growing, evergreen shrub, with rather larger and more showy leaves than the former, and spikes of pretty whitish, sweetly scented flowers.  The female form of this is usually known as S. fragrans.  What is usually known as S. oblata ovata, and S. oblata Veitchii, are only forms of the true S. japonica; while S. fragrantissima is the male of the same species.  The beautiful, berried plant that has been exhibited under the name of S. Foremanii, and which is of very vigorous growth, and produces pyramidal spikes of sweetly scented flowers, is probably S. japonica, or a seminal variety.  Another variety sent out under the name of S. macrophylla has unusually large leaves; and another named S. Rogersi produces fruit very abundantly.

S. LAUREOLA (syn Limonia Laureola), from the Himalayas, is an uncommon species, with very fragrant and pale yellow flowers.

S. RUBELLA (China, 1874) is another member of the family that has greenish-white, sweet-scented flowers, and which when better known will be largely planted.