Rhododendrons. 1 7 



R. Lapponiciim. — This is a dwarf mountain-species, with small violet-pur- 

 ple flowers, seldom seen in cultivation, being of difficult culture. 



R. Dauricum is a charming species, giving a profusion of pinkish-pur- 

 ple flowers in April, when nothing save crocus and snow-drops enliven the 

 garden. The foliage is small and ding}', and the plant is not ornamental 

 when out of bloom. 



R. fcrrigineum is the Alpine Rose, and is a very ornamental species. The 

 flowers are freely produced in small heads; are of a light purplish-pink ; 

 and, except for their profusion, not verj' showy. 



Other species and varieties which we sometimes find are R. hirstdum 

 (sometimes called Alpine Rose), hybridum,, ovafum, viyrtifoUicm, odoratum, 

 and ainxnum (also called Azalea a?>txna), which are hardy. 



The following are hybrids of Catawbiense, and are hardy in New Eng- 

 land. These hybrids, of which our illustration gives a good idea, are the 

 most ornamental of the hardy kinds. 



Archimedes, rosy-crimson, light centre. Album elega?is, blush, changing to 

 white. Album grandijlorujn, fine blush, white. Barclayanum, deep rosy- 

 crimson. Blandyanu7n, rosy-crimson. Brayanum, rosy-scarlet, light cen- 

 tre. Chancellor, purplish-lilac. Coriaceum, pure white dwarf. Ddicatissi- 

 tnujfi, white, edged with pink. Everestianum, rosy-lilac, spotted and fringed, 

 fine foliage, a free bloomer, and the best rhododendron for general cultiva- 

 tion. Giganteum, bright rose. Lucidutn, purplish-lilac, brown spots. 0ns- 

 lowiamcm, blush, yellow eye. Purpureum elegans, fine purple. Roseum 

 elegans and Roseum grandiflorum, deep rose. Roseum pictum, rose, yellow 

 eye. 



We might add to this list indefinitely ; but the above is a good selection 

 of hardy kinds. Nero and Lo7-d jFohn Russell, two very beautiful varieties, 

 are precariously hardy. R. ponticum and its varieties are not hardy in New 

 England ; and the Himalayan or Sikkim rhododendrons are all tender 

 with us. 



We propose in a future number to give notes upon the pot-culture of 

 half-hardy varieties. E. S. R., Jun. 



Glkn Ridge, December, 1867. 



VOL. HI. 3 



