178 THE FLORIST. 



AMERICAN PLANTS. 



Perhaps no flower is attracting so much attention at the present 

 moment as the Rhododendron. That it is deserving of all the praise 

 which has been bestowed upon it, or that can be said or written in 

 its favour, those who have witnessed the American exhibitions at 

 the Regent's Park during the present season will cordially admit. 

 The general effect of the whole, when entering the tent from the 

 highest ground, was gorgeous in the superlative degree. Many- 

 ladies — and their taste in these matters admits of no question — de- 

 clared it to be a scene of enchantment. Certainly it was magnifi- 

 cent ; no collection of exotics, not even Orchids, could afford such 

 a rich display : and when we recollect that the whole of the beautiful 

 varieties of Rhododendrons composing the exhibition alluded to are 

 perfectly hardy; that no expense in the shape of glass, pipes, or 

 fuel, is incurred in their cultivation, we must admit them to possess 

 many claims upon all lovers of flowers. 



The skill of the hybridisers has wrought wonders in blending the 

 rich colour of the Indian species with the hardy constitution of the 

 Americans ; and the results are the numberless varieties of tint in 

 almost every shade from pure white to the richest crimson, and from 

 pale lilacs to the richest purples, all possessing a sufficient hardiness 

 of constitution to withstand the winters in our climate. A more 

 charming addition to a nobleman's flower-garden than a collection of 

 the best varieties of Rhododendron could not be suggested ; and in 

 every garden, however limited, and on the lawn of the suburban 

 villa, are some situations appropriate for their cultivation. 



That an impulse has been given to their cultivation is evident ; 

 every day it becomes more and more extensive ; each succeeding 

 season is adding something to the general stock of information as 

 regards their proper management, which till a comparatively recent 

 period obtained but little attention. As an additional incentive, and 

 one likely to afford valuable information in the cultivation of the 

 Rhododendron, we may mention the publication of an essay on the 

 subject, as an introduction to a catalogue just circulated by Messrs. 

 Standish and Noble, of the Bagshot Nurseries, and which all lovers 

 of this beautiful plant would do well to procure. Besides descriptive 

 notices of many of the more beautiful species of the Pine family, 

 it contains a neatly executed woodcut (10^ by 8 inches) of the 

 celebrated Funereal Cypress, with descriptions of many other rare 

 and beautiful hardy shrubs and trees imported by them from the 

 northern districts of China. 



Many persons, say Messrs. Standish and Noble, have been de- 

 terred from attempting the cultivation of Rhododendrons from the 

 belief that they only flourish in particular locahties. But contrary to 

 this, their extensive knowledge of the habits of the plant enables them 

 to state, " that with a small amount of- well-directed labour. Rhodo- 

 dendrons may be induced to repay the attention of the most ardent 

 cultivator in any part and in almost any locality of Great Britain.'* 



