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BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



An amateur who particularly admires Rhododendrons would be 

 well advised to carefully consider the soil question, and if his own 

 ground is unsuitable, remove the soil to a depth of two feet where 

 he proposes to plant Rhododendrons, and substitute a mixture of 

 peat and loam. The cost ought not to be so heavy as to counter- 

 balance the pleasure derived from success with the grandest hardy 

 shrub grown. The position also should be considered. One pro- 

 tected from strong, cold winds is desirable. Rhododendrons may 

 be planted at almost any time from autumn to spring, but they 

 rarely shift better than in April, late as this month seems for 

 planting. Of course they could not be expected to succeed when 

 planted in spring if exposed to cold winds and insufficiently watered. 

 Rhododendrons bloom during winter in very mild, moist dis- 

 tricts in the extreme south-west of England, but further north 

 they flower in spring, sometimes nearly at the end of that quarter. 

 When they are planted in positions where the heat of the midday 

 sun is intercepted the flowers last a long time in beauty. They 

 ought to be picked off when they fade, but not so low down as 

 to injure the new buds which will probably have formed at the base 

 of the flower truss. The following are beautiful varieties : 





John Waterer, crimson. 

 Michael Waterer, brilliant red. 

 Mrs. John Glutton, white. 



Pink Pearl, light pink. 

 Princess of Wales, rose. 

 The Queen, blush. 



Azaleas are also beautiful shrubs, but most of them, unlike 

 Rhododendrons, lose their leaves in the winter. The reader will 

 doubtless be quite familiar with the charming Azaleas seen in 

 florists' windows in spring, but these belong to the Indian section, 

 and are not hardy enough to be grown out of doors. The mollis 

 type is the best for garden culture. The colours are not so varied 

 and brilliant as those of Azalea indica, but they include a larger 

 proportion of yellow and salmon tints. They like similar soil to 

 Rhododendrons. Anthony Koster is a splendid variety. 



