The Utility of Rhododendrons 



Undoubtedl)', the most handsome of our flowering 

 shrubs is the Rhododendron ; nothing in the order 

 bearing comparison with it in foliage and flower. 

 Among our broad-leaved e\ergreens it is pre-eminent, 

 its large leathery leaves in winter taking on a rich 

 green tonal character which is most pleasing in con- 

 trast with the sombre hues nf the conifers. 



L'ntil quite recently it was the general opinion that 

 Rhododendrons were incon\eniently particular as re- 

 gards the conditions required for their growth, and 

 many of our nurserymen in their catalogue descrip- 

 tions in great measure accentuated the conditions re- 

 quired for the very greatest perfection, leaving it to 

 be supposed that without these success could not be 

 attained, says a writer in a recent issue of ''The Field." 

 \'ery happily, there are few restrictions as to condi- 

 tions for the successful growing of either species or 

 hybrids. Rhododendrons will thrive in any ordinary 

 loamy soil which is free from lime ; in fact, good fibrous 

 loam is the best soil ingredient possible, and if a small 

 percentage of leaf mould can be added to it, so much 

 the better. Good drainage, however, is very essential, 

 and if the soil is clayey or hard, it should be lightened 

 somewhat with sand, and the bed should be dug deeper 

 than otherwise would be necessary. Fresh manure 

 should never be added to the soil in new plantings ; 

 no manure will be required until one season's growth 

 IS made, or until fall, when a good mulching may lie 

 given. Rhododendrons arc moisture-loving subjects, 

 and a good mulching affords both food and moisture, 

 and induces that rich greenness of foliage so much to 

 be desired. 



Rhododendrons are useful for massing, as lawn spe- 

 cimens and as garden shrubs. No garden is too small 

 to possess at least one specimen. They have a great 

 preference for shady positions, and they do better in 

 winter when protected from the sun and sweeping 

 winds. \\'hile some varieties will succeed under most 

 adverse conditions, it is best, where possible, to pro- 

 vide locations to the north and east of buildings, or 

 of tree plantings, where the winter sun does not harm 

 them and they are protected from frequent and suc- 

 cessi\-e freezings and thawings. The specimen in our 



illustratiuu is c.i' a plant about fifteen years old, on a 

 lawn, protected on the east and north by buildings 

 which break the winds from those quarters. The 

 species is R. Catawbiense, one of our native sorts. 



The species most commonh- used are our native 

 ones, R. Catawbiense already mentioned, and R. Max- 

 imum. The latter is hardy farther north than the 

 former, but both are (|uite hardy in the New England 

 states. Catawbiense differs from Maximum mainly in 

 that it makes a better specimen, rounder, and well 

 furnished with foliage ; the flowers are usually mauve, 

 running to lavender, or lilac purple in many cases, and 

 are carried in conical trusses; the leaves are oval, 

 rounded at base, 3 to 5 inches long, rather thick in 

 texture, and dark green in color, with light green un- 

 dersides. Its flowering period is in June. ]\Iaximum 

 is not quite of such good form as Catawbiense, less 

 regular in shape, and bears flattish trusses of flowers, 

 in color varying from purest white with tinges of pink 

 or yellow, to clear pink, and all blotched with a deeper 

 shade on the upper lobe of each flower. The leaves 

 are longer and narrower than those of Catawbiense, 

 bright green, lighter beneath, and often tinged with 

 brown. It flowers in July, and is, practically, the last 

 of all the Rhododendrons to bloom. This species is 

 very largely used for planting in masses. 



There are many very handsome hybrids of these and 

 other species, mostly of European origin, and produc- 

 ing flowers in a great variety of colors. Many of them, 

 however, are hardy only in Southern sections of the 

 country. The following have been tested in New Eng- 

 land for a period of years and found quite hardy, there- 

 fore are to be recommended for general use : Album 

 Elegans, blush changing to white, one of the best ; Album 

 Grandiflora, blush, with large truss ; Alex. Dancer, 

 bright rose, with lighter center, produces the largest 

 trusses of any hardy variety; .A.trosanguineum, intense 

 blood-red, very early ; Caractacus, iiurple-crimson, 

 very popular; Charles Bogley, cherry red, late flower- 

 ing; Charles Dickens, dark scarlet, early blooming: 

 C. S. Sargent, bright crimson, early blooming, fine truss : 

 Coerulescens, blush, distinct color; Coriaceum, white; 

 Delicatissimum, white, pink edge, late ; Everestianum, 



IF RHODODENDRONS M.\XnrUM. 



