50 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



should be borne in mind that the roots of rhododendrons and of the 

 kindred plants such as the azaleas, feed near the surface of the ground. 

 For this reason, and also because of the evergreen foliage characteristics 

 some root action should be encouraged, if possible, during the milder 

 winter months, and thus mulching of such plants is vital. Extreme 

 care should be exercised in transplanting these types of plants. Plants 

 should be put in a heavy, well-rotted leaf mold soil at no greater depth 

 than the plant stood before moving from its previous location. It is a 

 common practice in the preparation of lawn areas and planting areas, 

 especially in sections where clay soil predominates, to apply a large 

 amount of lime. Because lime in the soil is an element very injurious 

 to the growth of broad-leaved evergreens, none should ever be put in 

 or close to any beds which are to be planted with rhododendrons. 

 This is also true of building plaster and mortar, which is frequently 

 thrown into the soil adjacent to the foundation of buildings where 

 these plants may later be put. 



Rhododendrons should never be planted in a location where the soil 

 around the roots will dry out. They should be sheltered from the 

 morning sun and also from extreme exposures of wind. During most 

 of the growing season the falling of the dew as a result of the con- 

 densation of the moisture in the atmosphere causes little globules of 

 water to remain on the surface of the leaves during the night. These 

 particles of moisture are slowly evaporated during the early part of the 

 morning. The rays of the early morning sun coming in direct contact 

 whh the leaves of rhododendrons on which these particles of moisture 

 are still present are concentrated and focused by these many little 

 " lenses" and cause a burning of the surface of the leaves which in the 

 case of rhododendrons is extremely injurious to the plant. This is one 

 of the most important reasons why rhododendrons with their sensi- 

 tive leaf surface should not be exposed to the direct rays of the early 

 morning sun, at least until after the heat of the day has caused an 

 evaporation of the particles of moisture remaining on the leaves 

 from the previous night. The baking out of the soil around the roots 

 is extremely injurious to them. If this soil can be maintained at an 

 even, cool temperature, their normal growth is better assured during 

 the summer. They are not so much injured because of the cold, but 

 because of the intense sun which causes evaporation of moisture from 

 the leaves at a time when the ground is frozen and at a time when the 

 plants are unable to replace this loss of moisture by additional water 



