CHAPTER XVI 
SHRUBS 
THE AZALEA 
Azaleas are without exception the most showy of flower- 
ing shrubs. They are dwarf in habit and may be planted 
with other shrubs or grouped in masses. Plant them 
in the spring in deep leaf mold and keep them moist 
during the summer. They are hardy, but it is best to 
place a covering of leaves around the plants in autumn. 
Azalea nudiflora has sweet-scented and very showy 
light-pink flowers; it grows from six to eight feet high 
and blooms in May. Azalea viscosa (white swamp honey- 
suckle) blooms in June. On account of the intense fra- 
grance of its white flowers it 1s valuable as a border plant 
among other shrubbery. Azalea arborescens (smooth 
azalea) is very fragrant and showy, with handsome 
dark-green foliage, producing white and_ rose-tinted 
blossoms late in the summer. It is suitable for planting 
in borders with other shrubs, and it can be easily grown 
in any ordinary soil. Azalea mollis has a dwarf habit 
and bears large flowers in all shades of red, white, yel- 
low, and orange. It thrives in sunny situations, and it 
may also be grown under partial shade. The blossoms 
come before the leaves and literally fill the plant with 
a mass of beautiful colors. 
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