"hardy" rhododendrons 265 



dendron cult in England. Of these four species two 

 only (R. ponticum and jR. catawbiense) have played a 

 major part. 



As a breeder R. ponticum has been the greatest 

 asset and although its color is not good it has proved 

 extraordinarily adaptable in Great Britain and Ire- 

 land. This species grows wild in southern Spain 

 and in Asia Minor, in Syria, and the warmer parts 

 of the Caucasus. These regions enjoy a much 

 warmer climate than does New England and from 

 our viewpoint it is a tender species and unsuit- 

 able as a breeder. Also, for the same reason, it ought 

 not to be used as a stock for grafting, yet, unfortu- 

 nately, it is the stock so employed. An appreciation 

 of these facts explains in a large measure the doubtful 

 hardiness and uncertainty of the present-day race 

 of Rhododendrons since the blood of this tender spe- 

 cies enters largely into the majority of the varieties. 



In the matter of hardiness the American R. cataw- 

 biense has been the greatest of all gifts in the realm 

 of Rhododendron, and the hardiness of our present- 

 day race depends almost solely upon the dominant 

 influence of the blood of this species. 



Rhododendron caucasicum is native of the higher 

 Caucasus peaks and should be of much value to us 

 since it is quite hardy in New England. Unfortu- 



