DWARF RHODODENDRONS. 27 



by filling it with water every morning a constant 

 moisture was kept up from the slow percolation of 

 the water through the hole in the bottom. These 

 pots, however, are not ornamental, and are seldom 

 necessary. Standards occasionally need pruning to 

 keep the heads in shape ; but a little attention to 

 disbudding, as we have described, will render this 

 unnecessary. 



DWARF RHODODENDRONS. 



These are among the most charming of the family, 

 and no collection is complete without them. The 

 greater part are perfectly hardy ; and though in 

 flower they are not so showy, yet in delicate beauty 

 they far surpass the taller-growing varieties. 



In this class we find the charming species R. dau- 

 riciim, rather a loose grower, and needing severe 

 pruning to make it symmetrical ; but always beauti- 

 ful in earliest spring, blooming with the crocus and 

 outlasting the hyacinth. 



Next is R. Wilsonianum, with beautiful glossy 

 foliage, usually considered tender, but perfectly hardy 

 with us ; and then we have R. odoratum, the flowers 

 of which, as the name implies, are delightfully fra- 

 grant. 



R. hirsutum, and its variegated variety, are neat 

 little plants, useful for the edges of beds, but ai'e not 

 particularly showy either in foliagfe or flower. 



The charming Alpine R. lapponicum is most diffi- 

 cult of cultivation, but is beautiful enough to repay 

 any care. 



