AZALEA MOLLIS, ETC. 53 



and penetrating fragrance. There are six species of Eucalyptus 

 figured in Hooker's " Flora Tasmania " ; the globulus, however, is 

 not among them. 



Marshall P. Wilder presented a small plant, in flower, of Azalea 

 mollis, a new Japan species, var. Isabelle Van Houtte. The plant 

 was imported only a few months since from M. Van Houtte, who 

 raised it from seed sent him from Japan, and who says that it is 

 perfectly hardy. The flowers are as large as those of the rhodo- 

 dendron, and borne in clusters from six to eight inches in diameter, 

 and are of a nankeen color, spotted with orange. The plant ex- 

 hibited produced a cluster of ten flowers. It is figured by Siebold 

 and Zuccarini, and in Kegel's " Gartenflora," and it is hoped will 

 prove a hardy and valuable acquisition. 



Mr. Hovey said he was glad to see this representative of a new 

 family. Already hybrids have been produced from it, and, as with 

 A. Pontica, this will be its chief value, unless it shall prove hardy. 

 The flowers will probably be larger on a strong plant. Pontica is 

 hardy in the wood, but not in the bud. The Azaleas are like the 

 Rliododendrons, some of which, R. arhoreum, for instance, are 

 greenhouse plants, while our American species, maximum and 

 Catawbiense, are quite hardy, the former growing as far north as 

 New Hampshire. European cultivators, who wished to produce 

 more brilliant colors, have hybridized with the Himalaj^an species, 

 which are as tender as heliotropes, Mr. Hovey having left out 

 some plants of P. Dalhousice, which were destroyed by a frost that 

 did not injure heliotropes. We must find out what species are hardy, 

 and so of this azalea ; if it proves hardy, it will be an acquisition to 

 our gardens ; but, if only as hardy as Pontica, it will be valuable for 

 hybridizing. Azalea amoena is a species which has not had proper 

 attention. Mr. Hunnewell has had it planted out three years ; 

 and, though it has not bloomed, the plant appears to be hardy. 



Mr. Hovey exhibited the flower of a hj^brid between the Azalea 

 and Rhododendron, one of eight or ten which he imported from Hen- 

 derson several years ago. It is very profuse in blooming, and 

 forces well, though it is of rather a scrawny habit, and requires 

 care to make a well formed bush. The foliage is evergreen and 

 halfeway between that of the azalea and rhododendron. 



The President inquired what conclusive evidence Mr. Hovey had 

 that it is a hybrid. 



