use the old name. Whatever we call them, their beauty remains. Varieties of 
Under the same treatment as we accord to the Rhododendrons Rhododen- 
proper they give us rich, brilliant, and glowing breaks of colour. qdron 
It is not the object of this paper to deal with the 
Rhododendrons and hardy Azaleas botanically, and it may 
therefore conclude with the mention of a few of the most 
valuable hybrids and varieties. Pink Pear/ stands supreme as 
the noblest Rhododendron that we possess. It is generally 
understood that it has Aucklandii (Griffithianum) blood in it. 
Alike in size and form of truss, shape of pip, and beauty of 
colour, it is glorious—a flower to gladden the heart and satisfy 
the intellect. It opens a rich pink, fading off to palest 
blush, and is exquisite in every phase. Baron Schréder is a 
plum colour, with yellowish centre. Butlerianum is a good 
white despite its early tinge of pink, but perhaps the best white 
is Mrs John Clutton, with Queen in close attendance. Beyond 
question the finest of the blush flowers is Gomer Waterer, 
which approaches Pizk Pear/ in distinctiveness, but Mrs E. C. 
Stirling is excellent, and another lovely thing is Princess of 
Wales, which has a blush centre and bright rose edges. 
The spotted varieties have a considerable following. Sappho 
is a notable member of this section, and, with Mrs Russe/l 
Sturgis, may be chosen to represent it. If others are wanted, 
Madame Carvatho, Francis B. Hayes, and John Henry Agnew 
could be added. Amongst rose and pink sorts may be men- 
tioned B. W. Elliott, Concessum, Lady Clementina Mitford, 
Mrs John Penn, Mrs William Agnew, and W. E. Gladstone. 
The darker shades, such as scarlet and crimson, give us some 
of our finest sorts, notably Cynthia, Frederick Waterer, Lord 
Palmerston, John Walter, Kate Waterer, Michael Waterer, 
149 
