SUITABLE FOR GARDENS 5 



People hold certain views, have certain beliefs, because 

 their parents held them ; or they see no reason for change 

 because they have never looked for one. In like manner, 

 and for the same reason, gardens are made and planted with 

 the same old stagers Laurel, Privet, Aucuba, Cupressus, 

 and a few others, with a Rose or two and perhaps a Lilac 

 and Mock Orange for flowers. Not bad plants in them- 

 selves, but they are poor makeshifts as furniture for a 

 present-day garden. 



Rhododendrons, as grown by the nurserymen who 

 specialise in them, are the perfection of flowering shrubs. 

 There is more to be said in favour of collections of them in 

 those gardens where the conditions are suitable for such 

 plants, than there is for collections of any other hardy 

 shrubs, except perhaps Roses ; and for some reasons one 

 might even omit that exception. When it is understood 

 that for its size the Rhododendron is satisfied with less 

 attention and yields a great deal more pleasure than any 

 other shrub grown, tender as well as hardy, we may expect 

 to see more attention paid to it. The great displays made 

 every year in London by the Messrs. Waterer, and in the 

 Royal Gardens, Kew, do not, it is to be feared, convey to 

 those who see them the truth with respect to Rhodo- 

 dendrons as garden plants. Too many people still be- 

 lieve that only under very exceptional conditions, and with 

 special cultural skill, can the good Rhododendrons be grown 

 successfully. It is not many years since it was realised that 

 the natural soil and conditions at Kew were suitable for 

 them. The best advice that can be given to those who 

 have not tested their gardens and parks for Rhododendrons 

 is to plant a few of them in a suitable position and note 

 their behaviour. 



