Ghent well into the Rhododendron season proper, being with us from 
Azalea early May to late June. 
and The Ghent Azaleas are the progeny of crosses between 
A. Mollis certain of the American species, such as Calendulacea and 
Occidentalis, made by nurserymen at Ghent. The use of 
the latter species has greatly lengthened the flowering period, 
because it is a naturally late bloomer. The flowers of the 
so-called Ghent Azaleas (which are, of course, genuine 
“American plants” in their love of moist, peaty soil) are 
much smaller than those of the Mo//is section. ‘The range 
of colours is considerable, including white, cream, yellow, 
salmon, orange, rose, pink, peach, lilac, and blood red. Many 
of the varieties are spotted or flushed. There are both single 
and double forms. 
If we had the Ghent Azaleas alone we should have cause 
for satisfaction, but in the Mo//is section we have a most power- 
ful auxiliary. These splendid plants have large blooms of 
extraordinarily vivid colours, and their value does not end 
with their flower beauty, for the foliage is richly tinted in 
Autumn, and gives warm, harmonious effects. They are 
hardy, except in cold districts or situations, and must certainly 
be used more and more as the years pass on. ‘Their popularity 
has been enhanced by the introduction of certain markedly 
showy varieties, such as Anthony Koster, Alphonse Lavallée, 
M. Arthur de Warelles,and Mrs A, E. Endtz, which, exhibited 
at the Temple and other great shows, have arrested the attention 
of shrub lovers. 
The botanists would have us call these beautiful garden 
Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and they have reasons, but garden 
names cling tightly, and for practical purposes it is convenient to 
148 
