236 GLENN y's handbook 



tbe seed easily rubs out. lu warm situations and in liglit 

 rich soils the seeds for the outdoor plants may be sown in 

 April in the borders, and the patches then merely require 

 thinning out. The only one grown is R. Manglesii. 



RHODOCHITON. [Scrophulariace^.] E. vohihlle. once 

 called Lojjhospennum rhodochiton, is a plant with much the 

 habit and appearance of Lophospermum, but more slender ; 

 the blossoms have a saucer-sli^ped rosy calyx, and a deep 

 purple, almost black corolla. The plant is increased by cut- 

 tings, which may be put in at any period between March and 

 August in sandy soil, and placed in a close shady place : mild 

 heat assists their rooting. The young plants soon acquire 

 strength when placed in a moderate bulk of compost, which 

 should consist of loam, peat, and leaf-mould in equal pro- 

 portions, and used in rather a rough or lumpy condition. It 

 is better adapted for the roof of a greenhouse or conservatory 

 than for the open ground, and may be grown to a very pretty 

 state in a large pot, the branches being trained around several 

 upright stakes forming a cylinder. In any case the plants 

 should be renewed annually. 



RHODODENDRON. Rose Bay. [Ericaceje.] One of 

 the most ornamental families of evergreen flowering shrubs, 

 comprising great variety both of foliage and flower. Some of 

 the wild species have superb flowers, but the seedlings raised 

 in English gardens carry the splendour of this family greatly 

 beyond that of any of the original species. R. Catawhiense, 

 •which has the best habit of all the American species, has been 

 so improved from seed that varieties may now be had of 

 almost every colour. The Indian and hardy species, too, have 

 been so crossed, that the most superb varieties have been 

 produced with the best qualities of several species combined. 

 These plants are so improved now that it would be madness 

 to buy the original R. Ponticiun, or any other that was not 

 of first-rate habit and character, even to plant a shrubbery. 

 All that bear flowers should bear the best flowers, and the 

 R. Ponticum would cut a sorry figure, with its mean narrow- 

 pointed stricken foliage, and still poorer flowers, among the 

 splendid varieties that have been raised. They must be seen 

 in flower to be purchased with advantage. Peat soil is the 

 most suitable for these shrubs ; but the hardy sorts will grow 



