It is in some ways a misfortune that the same soil suits June. 

 Azaleas and Rhododendrons equally well, as the colours clash Azalea and 

 and diminish each the beauty of the other. Rhododendrons Rhododen- 

 range from white through pink to crimson, and from mauve to 

 purple, and, like the Azaleas, they are disappointing if they 

 cannot be grown at their very best. 



On peat or sand, even the common kinds will be wonder- 

 fully beautiful, if given plenty of room and planted in shades 

 which blend; too often one sees a mixed bed, the colours of 

 which clash rather than harmonise. 



Gardens in Cornwall or Devonshire, or very sheltered ones 

 along the South Coast, are fortunate in being able to grow the 

 Himalayan varieties, which surpass all other shrubs in the trans- 

 cendent loveliness of their flowers. At Tregothnan, in May, 

 the stretches of Rhododendrons seen against the sloping 

 woods, and the distant curves of the river wending its 

 way to Falmouth, make a wonderful picture. In more 

 sheltered spots are trees of such rare kinds as R. F ale oner i 

 and argenteum, covered with their marvellous flowers. 

 Perhaps the most beautiful of all is R. JJucklandi, which 

 bears trusses of about seven immense pure white flowers, five 

 inches across. The sketch of this Rhododendron was done at 

 Killiow, where there is a magnificent plant over twenty feet 

 through. 



Azaleas run from white to yellow, orange, pink and flame- 

 colour; the darkest are fine Indian reds; every tone blends, 

 and at the moment their colour beauty seems to surpass that of 

 every other flower. 



Here, every scrap of soil would have to be imported for 

 them, while twelve miles away, at Saltwood, all the kinds, 



K 73 



