1 66 Ornamental Shrubs. 



There are some soils in which it positively refuses to 

 grow. It has no affinity for chalk and lime, at least none 

 sufficient to reconcile it to friendly relations. Neither is 

 clay found to be favorite feeding ground, though, unlike 

 the chalk and lime soils, the difficulty may be overcome, 

 by digging wide and deep, and thus creating practically 

 new conditions by filling in with suitable plant food. A 

 rhododendron bed may be thus successfully maintained in 

 the clay soils, while it cannot be done in situations saturated 

 with lime water, as in the course of time the offensive 

 matter will percolate the new soil as thoroughly as it does 

 the old ; and then, however hopefully begun, all prosperity 

 is at an end. It may be put down as an established fact 

 that there are some localities where this charming plant 

 cannot be successfully employed in garden or landscape 

 work, though the nurserymen often say there is not. But 

 in most fairly good soils it is as easy to make the rhodo- 

 dendron grow as it is other choice shrubs which are 

 planted in profusion and almost everywhere found to 

 thrive. 



Starting out with vigorous stock, the rhododendrons, to 

 prosper, must be well planted, especially if the best results 

 are desired. They are not so particular, however, as many 

 suppose, for they will sometimes become vigorous and 

 showy shrubs and even small trees, though treated with 

 entire neglect and left to themselves among the grasses 

 and weeds. But to make sure of success it is well to give 

 the best care and make the best provision for them that 

 is possible, as in the case of all other choice species. 

 Any good garden soil, with the exception already indicated, 



