242 



THE FLORIST. 



the couplet would, with a slight alteration, be highly appropriate for 

 them at the present day, and we might very truthfully write 



He who plants Rhododendrons, 

 Plants for posterity ; 



for by " J. R.'s " own confession his plants were more than 20 years 

 old when they flowered for the first time ; and this very objectionable 

 quality is characteristic of the whole race to which they belong. 



Now we simply ask, what are the advantages which these plants 

 possess over hardy and free-blooming hybrids ? We confess not to see 

 their superiority in any one particular. To enable the reader, however, 

 to form a just conclusion of their respective merits, we will place their 

 prominent characteristics side by side. 



Seedlings direct from, or hut once 

 removedfrom. Rhododendron arbo- 

 reum. 



They never bloom till they are 20 

 years old, and then very sparingly. 



In the majority of seasons, and 

 especially if the early part of the 

 year is mild, the flowers, in conse- 

 quence of being produced then, are 

 destroyed or much damaged by wind, 

 rain and frost,' which invariably 

 follow. 



The flowers are usually of a very 

 rich colour. 



Garden hybrids ; the advantages 

 of which we are advocating. 



They bloom abundantly, and when 

 not more than three or four years 

 from seed. 



The flowers never get cut off by 

 frost ; and from being produced after 

 spring has fairly set in, they are 

 not liable to damage from frost or 

 rough weather. 



The various kinds produce flowers 

 of the richest as well as the most 

 delicate tints. Deep crimson and 

 pure white Avith all the intermediate 

 shades* may be found among the 

 plants in cultivation. 



The plants are not damaged by 

 frost. 



In very severe weather like that 

 of the past winter, the plants them- 

 selves are killed or damaged. 



It will thus be seen that these much vaunted tender plants possess 

 not a single desirable quality that is not participated in by the hardy 

 hybrids ; and that the latter have very many sterling merits peculiarly 

 their own. As we have before observed, we confess that the flowers 

 of these first hybrids are very beautiful ; but we cannot yield our 

 opinion that the plants are, for general cultivation, all but worthless. 



Although so much has been already done — so many valuable points 

 gained and secured by hybridising the Rhododendron — we may confi- 



* It gives us great pleasure to be able to state that we have succeeded in 

 raising a number of very beautiful white-flowered varieties, which possess the 

 desirable property of blooming at the same time with the majority of hardy 

 hybrids. All the varieties with white flowers hitherto obtained bloom either too 

 early or too late in the season to be really effective in the American garden. 

 Those which we shall have to offer will supply the deficiency. Plants will be 

 ready for delivery next season. We will add that their flowers are very large 

 and of good form and substance. The trusses, too, are very fine ; and altogether 

 these varieties are much superior to any other hardy white Rhododendrons in 

 cultivation. 



