DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 475 



of these varieties may be found in the catalogues of our principal 

 nurseries. 



Azalea nudiflora. Upright American honeysuckle ; natives of 

 hilly or mountainous parts of the United States. Leaves lanceo- 

 late-oblong, nearly smooth, and green on both surfaces. Flowers 

 scarlet, pink, white, striped, variegated, red, and purple ; and dis- 

 posed in terminal clustered racemes, appearing before the leaves ; 

 April to June. Height three to four feet. The wild varieties are 

 numerous, and have been superseded in cultivation by new varieties. 



Azalea viscosum. Flowers produced in terminal .clusters ; leafy 

 and hairy ; white and sweet-scented ; June, July and August. The 

 varieties and hybrids produced by cultivation from this species, are 

 as numerous as those of the preceding species. Height two to 

 fifteen feet. 



Azalea spedosa. The showy azalea. Flowers scarlet ; June 

 and July. Height two to six feet. A native of our country. 



Azalea arborescens. The tree-like azalea. Height ten to fifteen 

 feet. Flowers rose-colored ; June and July. Leaves glossy on 

 both sides ; long oval, with obtuse end. Pursh, a distinguished 

 botanist, says it forms, with its elegant foliage and large, abundant, 

 rose-colored flowers, the finest ornamental shrub he knows. 



The following is a list of a few &z/v/y-bedding azaleas, recom- 

 mended by Mr. J. R. Strumpe, of the Parsons' nursery at Flush- 

 ing, one of the most skillful cultivators of the azalea and the 

 rhododendron in this country : 



A. parmicellata stellata, straw-color and salmon. A. elegantissima, 

 pink ; late. A. calendulacea flamula, scarlet. A. calendulacea coc- 

 cinea, orange scarlet. A. visocephalum, white and very fragrant. 

 A. coccinea, scarlet. A. bicolor, orange, yellow and white :; superb. 

 A. ne plus ultra. 



These are mostly hybrids, produced by skillful cultivation. A 

 soil composed largely of leaf mould, with the roots somewhat pro- 

 tected from the sun, is considered desirable for the azalea. It is a 

 species of shrub that requires much attention, and not noted for 

 the abundance of its foliage when out of bloom. Those who have 

 green-houses find the azalea one of the most available of bedding- 

 out shrubs, but with common culture it is not so valuable. 



