44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



of all kinds would do well to seek it out when it flowers next May. 

 It is to be found on the upper side of Azalea Path. 



One of the big floral displays at the Arboretum is made Avhen the 

 Rhododendrons come into flower. The Rhododendron collection 

 borders the road at the base of Hemlock Hill. Unfortunately, a 

 great many people miss it because they go to the Forest Hills or 

 Jamaica Plain entrances, which are a long way off. By leaving 

 the elevated train at Forest Hills and walking up South Street to 

 the South Street entrance, the Rhododendrons are reached in a 

 very few minutes. The Arboretum collection is so extensive, and 

 the plants arranged so skilfully that it offers an unparalleled 

 opportunity to become familiar with the best varieties, as well as 

 with the methods to follow in the culture of Rhododendrons in this 

 climate. There are three native American species and one other, 

 Rhododendron Smirnowii, from the Caucasus, which are perfectly 

 hardy, and can be planted with confidence. 



Rhododendron album grandifiorum is a white flowered form of a 

 hybrid catmcbiense. Many hybrids have been produced by crossing 

 Rhododendron cataiohiense with various Himalayan species, as well 

 as with the native Rhododendron maximum. Unhappily, only 

 comparatively few of these hybrids are hardy in this country, even 

 in exceptional positions like that in the Arboretum, where the beds 

 are protected by Hemlock Hill from the sun in March and April. 



Of the three native Rhododendrons, maximum and catawbiense 

 are well known. The third, carolinianum, is much less generally 

 cultivated, but it is to be found growing to perfection in the Ai'bore- 

 tum. It, too, comes from the Carolina mountains, but has a dwarf 

 habit. Its flowers are grown in profusion, and seldom show any 

 trace of rust. There is every reason to believe that this introduc- 

 tion will fill a long felt want for a hardy dwarf Rhododendron 

 whose flowers have no trace of magenta. It seldom grows more 

 than eight feet high, and has dark green leaves, covered with rusty 

 dots below. The flowers come in June, and are borne in great 

 profusion, fairly smothering the plant in a rose-colored blanket. 

 Incidentally it may be said that this Rhododendron was named by 

 Mr. Rehder of the Arboretum staff. 



England is fighting now with the Rose as her national flower. 

 France has her Fleur-de-lis; but the United States has officially no 



