FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 151 



Rhaphithamnus (Verbenaceae). 



Rhaphithamnus cyanocyepus (syn Citharexylvm cyano- 

 carptm). — Chili. This bears a great resemblance to some 

 of the thorny Berberis, and is at once a distinct and 

 beautiful shrub. The flowers are large and conspicuous, 

 and of a taking bluish-lilac colour. Having stood un- 

 harmed in Ireland through the unusually severe winters of 

 1879-80, when many more common i shrubs were killed 

 outright, it may be relied upon as at least fairly hardy. 

 The soil in which this rare and pretty shrub does best is a 

 brown, fibrous peat, intermingled with sharp sand. 



Rhododendron (Ericaceae). 



Rhododendron aeboeescens (syn Azalea arbor escens), 

 from the Carolina Mountains (1818), is a very showy, late- 

 blooming species. The white, fragrant flowers and noble 

 port, together with its undoubted hardihood, should make 

 this shrub a general favourite with cultivators. 



R. beachycaepum. — Japan, 1888. A robust, wide- 

 spreading shrub, with pale-yellow or cream-coloured 

 flowers which are dotted with green at the base of the 

 petals. 



R. calendulaceum (syn Azalea cahndulacea), from North 

 America (1806), is another of the deciduous species, 

 having oblong, hairy leaves and large orange-coloured 

 flowers. It is of robust growth, and in favoured situations 

 reaches the height of 6 feet. When it is in full flower 

 the slopes of the Southern Alleghany Mountains are 

 rendered highly attractive by reason of the great flame- 

 coloured masses of this splendid plant, and are one of the 

 great sights of the American Continent during the month 

 of June. 



R. calipornicum. — California. A good hardy species, 



