Though, perhaps, rather exacting in their requirements, the Stuartias may be very successfully grown if planted in light, moist, peaty earth, and where they will be screened from cold, cutting winds.

STYRAX.

STYRAX AMERICANA and S. PULVERULENTA are not commonly cultivated, being far less showy than the Japanese species.  They bear white flowers.

S. OFFICINALIS.—­Storax.  Levant, 1597.  This is a small deciduous shrub, with ovate leaves, and short racemes of pretty pure white flowers.  A not very hardy species, and only second-rate as an ornamental flowering shrub.

S. SERRULATA VIRGATA (syn S. japonica).—­Japanese Storax.  Japan.  A neat-habited and dense-growing shrub, with pretty white flowers that are neatly set off by the showy yellow stamens.  It is an extremely pretty shrub, with long, slender, much-branched shoots, furnished with ovate leaves, and deliciously-scented, snow-white bell-shaped flowers, produced for nearly the full length of the shoots.  So far, this shrub of recent introduction has proved quite hardy.  S. serrulata variegata is a well-marked and constant form.

SYMPHORICARPUS.

SYMPHORICARPUS OCCIDENTALIS.—­Wolf Berry.  North America.  This species has larger and more freely-produced flowers, and smaller fruit than the commonly-cultivated plant.

S. RACEMOSUS (syn Symphoria racemosus).—­Snowberry.  North America, 1817.  One of the commonest shrubs in English gardens, with small, oval, entire leaves, and neat little racemes of pretty pink flowers, succeeded by the familiar snow-white berries, and for which the shrub is so remarkable.

S. VULGARIS.—­Coral Berry, Common St. Peter’s Wort.  North America, 1730.  This is readily distinguished by its showy and freely-produced coral berries.  There is a very neat and much sought after variety, having conspicuous green and yellow leaves, and named S. vulgaris foliis variegatis.

The Snowberries are of no great value as ornamental shrubs, but owing to their succeeding well in the very poorest and stoniest of soils, and beneath the shade and drip of trees, it is to be recommended that they are not lost sight of.  They grow and spread freely, and are therefore useful where unchecked and rampant shrub growth is desirable.

SYMPLOCOS.

SYMPLOCOS JAPONICA (syn S. lucida).—­A small growing and not very desirable species from Japan (1850).

S. TINCTORIA.—­Sweet-leaf, or Horse Sugar.  South United States, 1780.  This is a small-growing shrub, with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers, but it is not very hardy unless planted against a sheltered and sunny wall.

SYRINGA.

SYRINGA CHINENSIS (syns.  S. dubia and S. rothomagensis).—­Rouen, or Chinese Lilac.  A plant of small growth, with narrow leaves, and reddish-violet flowers.  It is said to have been raised by M. Varin, of the Botanic Garden, Rouen, as a hybrid between S. vulgaris and S. persica, 1795.