4 THE EHODODENDEOX. 



attempt to grow Rhododendrons ; yet, so doing, you 

 give up one of the most beautiful of plants, one of 

 the most -glorious ornaments of the garden, which 

 more richly repays the care it requires than any 

 plant we can mention. Let us not, however, be 

 misunderstood. After the first planting, that being 

 well done, the Rhododendron requires less attention 

 than any other plant ; but this preparation of the 

 soil is of primary importance. 



We are aware that in this we differ from some 

 cultivators, who maintain that Rhododendrons will 

 do well in any garden soil. This is true in a degree ; 

 for the plants will live, grow, and bloom in any deep 

 loam not containing lime ; but they will not, under 

 this culture, attain the highest perfection, either of 

 foliage or flower. 



The Rhododendron is a native of swamps, of 

 shady mountain sides, or of deep ravines, usually 

 on the banks of mountain streams. In these situa- 

 tions it forms impenetrable thickets or jungles, the 

 plant attaining great size, the boughs bending down 

 and rooting by natural layers, producing in the 

 Middle and Southern States the nearest approach 

 our flora can make to a tropical jungle. 



Some species are found in mountain swamps, 

 occasionally in high latitudes, but always in moist 

 situations. 



The natural habitat of the plants gives us the first 

 requisite for their successful culture, — a moist soil. 

 The roots of all the species, except perhaps some 

 of the epiphytal kinds of the Himalaya Mountains, 

 are fine and hair-like ; and drought is certain death. 



