APRIL. 



65 



RHODODENDRON JAVANICUM. 



At tlie present time, when Dr. Hooker's Sikkim Rhododen- 

 drons are occupying every body's attention, seeds of them 

 having been extensively distributed, and one species having 

 blossomed at two different establishments, we have taken the 

 opportunity of introducing to the notice of our readers the 

 fine variety represented by our plate, and of coupling some 

 account of it with our notice of the Sikkim kind which has just 

 flowered. 



We need hardly state that the Java Rhododendron is one 

 of the most handsome plants of rather recent introduction to 

 be found in English gardens. Its beautiful glossy bright- 

 green foliage and orange - coloured flowers will always ren- 

 der it an especial favourite ; but, unfortunately, it is tender, 

 which offers a great drawback to its general cultivation. Those, 

 however, who have accommodation and convenience for grow- 

 ing stove-plants will never have occasion to regret adding this 

 one to their collections; for it succeeds perfectly under the 

 ordinary treatment which such plants usually receive, and sel- 

 dom fails to favour the admiring cultivator with a fine truss 

 of charming blossoms at the end of every shoot. The plant in 

 the collection of H. Collyer, Esq., of Dartford, from which our 

 figure was prepared, was purchased at Messrs. Rollisson's nur- 

 sery two years ago. We are informed by Mr. Cole, the gardener, 

 that it was then about six inches in height, and that he suc- 

 ceeded in blooming it last spring, when it produced one truss. 

 This season the same plant has four trusses ; and it is now 

 a fine specimen 2 feet 6 inches high, and nearly as much 

 through. It has been grown in a moist stove, and has always 

 been treated as a tender plant, except in the height of summer, 

 when it was placed out of doors in the shade, under a north 

 wall. Mr. Cole is of opinion that, after it has made its growth 

 and set its flower-buds, it may be transferred to the green- 

 house, where it may be summered, to be again placed in heat 

 in winter. He considers that it may be brought into bloom at 

 any season, and that it will make a capital plant for exhibi- 

 tion. Messrs. Rollisson have found it to succeed under the 

 treatment usually given to Indian Azaleas. With respect to 

 soil, it thrives well in a mixture of fibry peat, leaf-mould, 

 and silver-sand ; but it must have plenty of drainage, or it 

 will not grow satisfactorily. 



We learn that Messrs. Rollisson's variety of this Rhodo- 

 dendron was found by their collector Mr. Henshall on Blount 

 Salak, at an elevation of about 4000 feet, and also at 7000 and 



NEW SERIES. VOL. II. NO. XVI. Q 



