376 



RHODODENDRON 



Leaves diamond-shaped, I to 2^ ins. long, f to i| ins. wide ; dark dull green 

 and very hairy above when young, becoming almost or quite smooth by 

 autumn ; paler and very finely net-veined beneath ; stalk ^ to in. long, 

 brown-woolly. Flowers solitary or in pairs, purple, almost or quite unspotted, 

 ivr to 2 ins. across ; corolla-lobes oblong, ^ in. wide, the three upper ones 

 erect, the two lower ones more deeply divided and pointed downwards ; 

 calyx small, five-toothed, very hairy like the flower-stalk, which is about j- in. 

 long ; stamens ten ; ovary and style hairy. 



Native of Japan ; long cultivated at Kew, but rare in gardens. It flowers 



RHODODENDKON RHOMBICUM. 



on the leafless twigs in late April. Although hardy, it likes a sheltered 

 position and a sandy, peaty soil. The unusual colour of the flowers, which 

 has a distinct suggestion of blue, gives the species a claim to more general 

 recognition. The unfolding leaves have a purplish tinge, which they again 

 assume before falling in autumn. Hardy enough in the adult stage, small 

 plants are better with some protection in winter until two or three years 

 old. 



Nearly allied to R. rhombicum is R. ALBRECHTII, Ma.rijnowicz, which is 

 also Japanese, and has the same style of flower and the same hairy ovary and 

 style, but the corolla is hairy inside (whilst that of rhombicum is smooth), 



