ON THE CULTURE OF THE RHODODENDRON. 61 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE RHODODENDRON. 



The Rhododendron has been styled the Queen of Evergreen-shrubs ; and those of 

 our readers who have had the good fortune to witness the magnificent display 

 of these plants at the Chiswick Exhibitions, will not think such praise misplaced. 

 The great diversity of habit and foliage ; the gorgeous beauty of their flowers, 

 of every imaginable shade of colour ; and the perfect hardiness of the great majority 

 of the species and varieties, give them the strougest claim to the attention of all 

 classes of cultivators. 



These claims are now, indeed, so fully recognized, that there are few persons 

 possessing a garden-plot who have not attempted the cultivation of a Rhododendron ; 

 though it must be admitted, that, in general, amateurs are not very successful 

 in their treatment of this plant, if we may judge from the many miserable 

 specimens to be seen in suburban gardens. 



As we intend figuring shortly one of the most desirable varieties, we will reserve 

 our remarks on the origin of the present race of hybrids of this genus, and confine 

 ourselves to the best method of cultivation. Some clue to their proper treatment 

 may be found in the fact that, notwithstanding the wide geographical range of the 

 species, they are, with very few exceptions, all inhabitants of moist localities. 

 On the Himalaya Mountains, the Rhododendron is invariably found growing near 

 or on the margin of morasses ; and in America, and other parts of the world, where 

 any of the very extensive tribe commonly known as ' American Plants ' are found, 

 it is always on the border of lakes, rivers, or bogs, or on the nearest portions of 

 dry land in their vicinity. A moist situation may, therefore, be regarded as a 

 sine qua non to their successful cultivation ; though soils too retentive of humidity 

 will prove as injurious as those of an opposite character. 



Peat soil is usually supposed indispensable to Rhododendrons, and where this 

 can be obtained of good quality, turfy, and of close texture, there can be no doubt 

 that it best accords with their natural constitution. In very sandy peat, they will, 

 under the most favourable circumstances, be stunted in their growth, and their 

 flower-heads few and small. 



An excellent compost, and one attainable in most localities, may be made as 

 follows : — To two parts of sandy-loam or peat, or, in fact, any sandy soil that does 

 not contain much chalk or lime (American Plants exhibit a great dislike to either), 

 add one-fourth leaf-mould, one-eighth sand, and one-eighth rotten manure. If 

 wanted immediately, the whole should be well beaten, and thoroughly incorporated 

 before using. It would, however, be of great advantage to allow the mixture to 

 remain twelve months, turning it well two or three times. In old exhausted beds, 

 a good dressing of rotten manure forked in will be found highly beneficial. 



