1449 



Carton's RHODODENDRON. 



DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Nat. ord. Euice;f. Jussicu. {Introduction to the natural system of 

 Botanii, -p. 182.) 



RHODODENDRON.^ Supn), vol. l.fol. 37. 



Garden Variety. 



** Ninety-seven plants were raised in tlic llighclcrc 

 Garden, in the year 1825, from a specimen of Azalea 

 nudiBora, which had been purposely touched with pollen 

 of Rhododendron Catawbiense. They vary in hal)it, in the 

 size of the umbel, and in the deeper or fainter j)urple tint 

 of the corolla; but bear a family resemblance to each other, 

 and form very neat compact bushes. The foliage is ele- 

 gant, lucid, deep green, smooth ; and persistent in ordinary 

 winters. In seasons of more than usual severity it becomes 

 deciduous, the flowers in that case being fully expanded 

 before the leaves are much advanced in growth. The 

 leaves are about half the size of those of Rhododendron 

 Catawbiense, and, like them, are, in a considerable })ortion 

 of the specimens, convex, but are much thinner in texture. 

 When tliey first ap])ear, they are apt to be of a pale, sickly 

 hue, which soon gives |)lace to a healthy colour. The 

 male type predominates in all the specimens. Cuttings of 

 these intermediate varieties strike more readily than tliose 

 of either Azalea or Rhododendron." 



At the request of our friend, J. R. Gowen, Esq., to 

 whom we are indebted for the above communication, we 

 have named this, the finest of the above set of hybrids, 

 in compliment to the Gardener of the Earl of Caernarvon, 

 Mr. James Carton, under whose personal care the numerous 

 showy varieties of the natural order Ericeas, which adorn 

 his Lordship's Garden, have been raised. 



Our drawing was made, in the beginning of June last, 

 from specimens communicated by the Earl of Caernarvon. 



J. L. 



VOL. XV 11. K 



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