April 11, lOOS 



HORTICULTURE, 



475 



Rhododendrons 



Of all cailtiviited shrubs the liio- 

 (lodendrons undoubtedly occupy the 

 premier position as the gayest and 

 their value for landscape work is 

 now becoming more generally rec- 

 ognized. Few subjects in tlie long 

 list of our hardy shrubs, can show 

 the improvement to ho seen in thc^ 

 rhododendron of today, and much 

 of this improvement has been 

 achieved within recent years, 

 through the enterprise and skill of 

 such growers as the Waterers, who 

 have devoted over half a century 

 to the iniproveuunit of flowering 

 shrubs, and to the rhododenilnm in 

 particular. 



It has always been a Sdurce of 

 wonder to me that these beautiful 

 shrubs are not grown on a more ex- 

 tensive scale. There are a great many people who believe 

 that the best of the English hybrids cannot be grown 

 in the New England States, but one has only to consult 

 any up-to-date catalogue of varieties to be astonished at 

 the large number of .sorts that have proved available 

 for planting in New England. 



In passing, I cannot refrain from drawing attention 

 to what I might call the trend of the times, so far as 

 the planting and laying out of grounds is concerned. 

 Very different are the fashions of today, compared with 

 those of twenty years ago when sentinel yews, clipped 

 conifers, and formal flower l)ed«. were predominant and 

 garden adornment was mainly of a formal nature. At 

 the present day, a more natural treatment of lawns is 

 being practiced, and dame fashion now points to flower- 

 ing shrubs and herbacaceous plants as being the more 

 preferable material to use. 



The laying out or planting of outside grounds, is not 

 subject to any rules, and can never be reconciled to any 

 fixed principle, but like many other branches of garden- 

 ing depends largelv on the natural surroundings, and per- 

 haps more especially ujion individual taste. The archi- 

 tecture, or outline of the dwelling is the primary con- 

 sideration, for, although the residence may be from an 

 architectural point of view absolutely perfect its ultimate 

 effectiveness must de]3end to a great extent upon its 

 setting. The accompanying illustration shows a case 

 in point. A few years ago this beautiful little mansion 

 was suffering the indignity of being surrounded with 

 about a score of small mounds or "'flower beds'' of various 

 flesigns. This method of eml)ellishment was objectionably 

 artificial, and quite disproportionate to the extent of the 

 area involved. It represented nothing in nature, and by 

 no stretch of imagination could we call it art. When 

 it was decided to introduce a more natural and appro- 

 priate form of embellishment, rhododendrons were cho- 

 sen as most suitable for this purpose. They were plant- 

 ed in irregular groups, at various points of vantage, 

 where they could be seen from a distance across the 

 "intervening water and seldom have I seen a more 

 charming picture. 



Rhododendrons on a Shaded I>awn 



If one wishes to keep the beds gay after the rhododen- 

 drons have finished flowering, a very pretty effect may 

 I'e obtained by a thick planting of Lilium auratum, 

 which is a fine contrast against the dark green foliage. 

 Small groups of this lily on the outskirts of shrubberies 

 are very pretty, and they may also be used freely by the 

 slides of woodland walks in the wild garden, or along- 

 side carriage drives. 



Regarding the best sorts of rhododendrons to grow, I 

 might name dozens of varieties and rhapsodise over their 

 various good points, but here I must content myself 

 with naming a few sure hardy ones which are able to 

 withstand our rigorous winters. Everestianum, a very 

 free blooming variety, the color being rosy lilac, spotted 

 and fringed ; Alexander Dancer, bright rose ; Mrs. John 

 ("lutton, one of the finest piire whites; Concessum, a 

 beautiful clear pink; Charles Bagley, bright red; Mrs. 

 Anthony Waterer, a magnificent pure white; The Queen, 

 blush turning to white; A.ugust Van Geert, carmine, 

 spotted claret ; John Waterer, a very dark crimson ; Mrs. 

 H. S. Holford, a magnificent variety, the color being a 

 rich shade of salmon : Ilannjbal, rosy carmine ; Lady 

 Eleanor Cathcart, light rose, spotted chocolate. 



When planting rhododendrons, it is an important 

 cultural point to remember that they will succeed in 

 almost any soil which is free from chalk, or lime. In 

 sandy loam the plants grow with as much vigor and 

 luxuriance as they do in peat. Where the soil is of a - 

 heavy nature it may be rendered suitable for them by a 

 liberal admixture of rough leaf soil. If the soil is poor 

 cowdung in a thoroughly decayed state forms one of 

 the best manures for these plants. 



They should always be kept well protected during 

 the winter months. For the tops of the plants, evergreen 

 branches such as spruce, are the best, and a good, thick 

 covering of leaves between the plants will make an 

 ideal winter protection. 



■-^nt% 



Xr>rtli Eiixton, Mass. 



