GREENHOUSE RHODODENDRONS 



Crown Prince of Germany and R. javanicum, called President. The flowers of 

 this last-named resemble those of R. javanicum, but are an improvement, to be 

 preferred for decorative purposes. These varieties were followed in 1888 by 

 R. x balsamoeflorum carneum, R. x jasminiflorum carminatum, and Princess 

 Christian (Princess Frederica x R. javanicum), the last-named remarkable for 

 large trusses of bright nankeen-yellow flowers. 



Rhododendron x luteo-roseum distributed in 1889, as the name implies, had 

 flowers satiny rose, toned with yellow, a very charming tint. 



Rhododendron x balsamoeflorum Rajah, sent out in 1890, is well figured in 

 the Plant Catalogue for that year. The figure typical of the whole of the 

 balsameeflorum section, shows a high decorative value, but no mere picture can 

 convey an idea of the durability of these flowers, perfect for several weeks, 

 and, when cut, surpassing in lasting qualities many commonly grown plants. 

 Souvenir de J. H. Mangles was distributed the same year, and figured in the 

 same issue of the Catalogue of Plants. Derived from Crown Prince of Germany 

 and R. javanicum, it was named in compliment to the late distinguished 

 amateur of Rhododendrons, to whom experiments with his favourite genus were 

 a source of great interest. 



The varieties Ophelia (light-rose), Brilliant (brilliant scarlet), and Aphrodite 

 (blush-white) sent out as novelties in 1890, were followed in 1891 by Minerva 

 (nankeen-yellow) Militaire (orange- scarlet) and Princess Beatrice (yellow suffused 

 with pink). 



In 1893 appeared the superb variety * Exquisite, which originated from crossing 

 the two species Rhododendron javanicum and R. Teysmanni. The flowers 

 produced by this hybrid, nearly 3 in. in diameter, have a short broad funnel-like 

 tube. The colour toned with a faint fawn-yellow with a slight tinge of rose- 

 pink in the centre of each segment, bright crimson anthers, add greatly to the 

 beauty of the cross. 



With this novelty there were also described in the Catalogue upwards of fifty 

 others then in cultivation, including such fine forms as t Ceres, J Primrose, 

 Minerva, J luteo-roseum, and J R. jasminiflorum carminatum. 



All the hybrids mentioned are the products of crosses between the five 

 species Rhododendron jasminiflorum, R. Lobbii, R. javanicum, R. Teysmanni, 

 R. Brookeanum gracile, and their offspring, but, with the introduction of R. 

 multicolor from Penang through Curtis, fresh material came, which proved 

 invaluable ; promptly used in connection with the best forms of the javanico- 

 jasminiflorum hybrids, many varieties, the flowers of which, though inferior 

 in size to the last named group, are unparalleled in brilliance and depth of 

 colouring. 



Professor Henslow remarks with regard to the form of the small-flowered 

 Rhododendron multicolor, that whenever this species is crossed with any other, 

 or a descendant of them, it universally reduces the size, so that the offspring, 

 though intermediate, are nearest to that of multicolor. The short funnel- 

 shaped tube is more or less traceable in all offspring of the multicolor 

 section. 



One of the most beautiful of multicolor hybrids, that named Mrs. Heal is 



* The Garden, 1889, vol. Ivi. pi. 1232. 



f The Garden, 1892, vol. xli. pi. 845. J The Garden, 1892, vol. xli. pi. 852. 



Cassell's Dictionary of Practical Gardening, vol. ii. p. 270, pi. 16. 



497 



