Rhododendron 



The Rosebay and Laurels 



These, the showiest of all ornamentals, are 



justly popular hardy evergreen shrubs. They 



are very effective as single specimens on the 



lawn, or in groups or masses in front of con- 

 iferous or other evergreens. Their handsome 



foliage and showy flowers make possible some 



of the most enchanting results, and add a zest 



and interest that cannot be obtained by any 

 other plants. They thrive in porous, fertile soils, preferring a northern exposure with partial shade. 

 When in the open, it is advisable to shelter the plantations against drying winds and hot sun by a belt 

 of tall, coniferous evergreens. After planting, the surface of the ground should be liberally covered with 

 forest leaves or pine needles to protect the roots from sudden changes of temperature. The dwarf 

 varieties are more effective if planted by themselves, as their smaller leaves and flowers do not har- 

 monize with those of larger species. The Great Laurel is the largest and hardiest, while the Catawba 

 Rhododendron and its numerous garden forms ranks second. 



Ihododendron arbotifolium (J?. wilsonianuni) . DWARF RHODO- 

 DENDRON. A beautiful dwarf shrub of compact habit. Of garden 



origin. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long, dark green, densely clothing 



the short branches. Flowers pink or very light rose, expanding 



during the summer. This variety is very hardy and among the 



best of the dwarf Rhododendrons. 



R. catawbiense. CATAWBA RHODODENDRON. A highly orna- 

 mental species indigenous to the mountains from Virginia to 



Georgia. Leaves oval or oblong, bright green above, glaucous 



beneath, clustered at the ends of the branches. Flowers very 



large, rose-purple, freely produced in late spring. A magnificent 



hardy flowering shrub. The following varieties, known as 



Catawba Hybrid Rhododendrons, are among the best and hardi- 

 est in cultivation : 



A. Lincoln. Crimson. 



Album elegans. Blush, changing 

 to white ; large flowers. 



Album grandiflorum. Blush- 

 white ; very large truss and 

 flowers. 



Anna Parsons. Soft red. 



Atrosanguineum. Deep blood- 

 red, of great substance. 



Betsy Parsons. Reddish purple. 



Caractacus. Rich purplish crim- 

 son ; grand truss. 



Catawbiense album. White. 



Charles Bagley . Cherry - red ; 

 large truss. 



Charles Dickens. Dark scarlet. 

 Handsome. 



Delicatissimum. Blush -white, 

 tinted pink. 



Everestianum. Rosy lilac, spot- 

 ted and fringed. The best 

 hardy Rhododendron. 



General Grant. Bright red. 



Giganleum. Light rose; large 

 truss. 



Hannibal. Blush-rose, lighted 

 with white. 



H. H. Hunnewell. Dark rich 

 crimson. 



James Bateman. Clear rosy 

 scarlet. 



Lady Armstrong. Pale rose, 

 beautifully spotted. 



Lee's Purple. Dark purple; 

 free-flowering. 



Parsons' gloriosum. Soft rose. 



Parsons' grandiflorum. Clear 

 rose; free-flowering. 



President Lincoln. Soft rose. 



Purpureum elegans. Fine pur- 

 ple. 



Purpureum grandiflorum. Pur- 

 ple; large truss and flowers. 



Roseum elegans. Rose. 



Roseum superbum. Light rose. 



53 



Rhododendron arbutifolium 



