248 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



which are not only pretty in themselves but mask the 

 ground from the sun's rays. Another and highly 

 important item in the culture of all Rhododendrons 

 is to remove all flowers after they have faded to pre- 

 vent the development of seed pods and to encourage 

 new growths. 



A race of Rhododendrons that will thrive in lime- 

 stone soils is at present a desideratum. There are 

 several Chinese species which grow naturally on such 

 soils, and it is within the bounds of probability that 

 the future may see a race at least indifferent to this 

 mineral. At present, however, those whose gardens 

 are in limestone areas must give up thoughts of grow- 

 ing these plants unless they are prepared to make elabo- 

 rate preparations and take the risks involved. To 

 those desirous of such experiments it may be pointed 

 out that mounds of prepared soil should be made and 

 not dug-out beds filled with suitable compost since 

 the lime has a very much smaller chance of impreg- 

 nating a raised site. 



For the purpose of this article hardy Rhododen- 

 drons may be divided into two groups known popu- 

 larly as Azalea and Rhododendron. In the first the 

 leaves are deciduous, or nearly so, and rather small; 

 in the second the leaves are persistent and usually 



good size. These main groups are pretty clearly 



