RHODODENDRON. 353 



RHODODENDRON. 



RHODODENDRUM. 



RHODORACE.E. DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



This name is of Greek origin, and signifies Rose-tree. French, 

 rosage. Italian, rododendro. 



THE Rhododendrons are handsome flowering shrubs, 

 hardy enough to bear the open air in this country. When 

 in pots, however, if the winter be severe, it may be well to 

 cover the roots with a little moss ; and some keep them 

 always so covered, to shelter them from frost in the winter, 

 and to preserve the earth moist in the summer. The kind 

 most commonly cultivated here is a native of North Ame- 

 rica. The flowers are generally rose-coloured or purple ; 

 there is a variety with yellow, and one with white flowers. 



There is a shrub called Rhodora, a native of Newfound- 

 land, very similar to this, which may be treated in the 

 same manner. 



The best time for transplanting these shrubs, when they 

 require removal into a larger pot, is in September or 

 April ; and when they do not need this removal, it will be 

 well, at that season, to renew the earth as far as can be done 

 without disturbing the roots ; or even occasionally to take 

 them out of the pot, and pare away the decayed roots on 

 the outside of the ball of earth adhering to them. 



Mr. Moore quotes a passage from Tournefort, in his 

 notes to Lalla Rookh, informing us that about Trebizond 

 there is a kind of Rhododendron, on the flowers of which 

 the bees feed, and that their honey drives people mad : 



" E'en as those bees of Trehizond, 

 Which from the sunniest flowers that glad 

 With their pure smile the gardens round, 

 Draw venom forth that drives men mad." 



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