9 8 MY SHRUBS 



With due solemnity we now approach Rhododendron, the Rose 

 Bay, king of all flowering shrubs, at once the joy and despair of 

 the small shrub-grower. While clinging as ever to the species, 

 one must grant that skilled hybridizers have done splendid work 

 upon this august genus. By mixing fresh blood with the monarchs 

 of the race, they produce plants which only yield a little in distinction 

 to the species from the Himalayas, while flowering considerably 

 later, and so bringing their bud uninjured through the early months 

 of spring. The greater number of rhododendrons from India 

 are hardy ; but their early flowering habit means that the expanding 

 truss is exposed to our coldest temperatures at its most critical 

 period of development, and so we lose our bloom, though the 

 shrubs do not suffer. Yet it is said that there are finer Himalayan 

 rhododendrons in Ireland than on the Himalayas, so all whose 

 fate calls them to dwell in the West Country within salutation of 

 the sea may attempt this supreme manifestation of the shrub. 

 But patience is essential. Though fine flowering pieces of the great 

 hybrids can generally be secured from the best growers, with the 

 species it is different, and choice old china is not so rare as fine 

 specimens of the nobler rhododendrons in search of a new home. 

 The race ascends from the tiniest shrublet, in JR. kamtschaticum y 

 to a tree, where R. arbor eum towers splashed with spring crimson, 

 and good specimens of the hardy Pontic hybrids are of course 

 within all men's reach ; but if your space is limited and your 

 patience without limit, then get the best at once, give them half 

 shade and shelter, and, above all things, remember that as surface 

 rooters they are most thirsty shrubs, and need ample watering in 

 dry weather. A spraying of the foliage with water is also much 

 to be advised after fierce sunshine. 



