DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 475 



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

 nurseries. 



Azalea nudijiora. — 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 numerous, and have been superseded in cultivation by new varieties.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 viscosiim. 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 speciosa. — 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 /^rtr^r-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. visocep/ialum, 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. 



