ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 447 



sweep the surface of the ground. It is not of rapid growth, but 

 is of great duration. Of the several varieties belonging to this 

 species, the following are the most meritorious : latifolia (Q. Ilex 

 oblonga), Fordii, rotundifolia, Gramuntia, diversifolia, and crispa. 



Rhamnus Alaternus is a neat shrub or small tree, rarely 

 exceeding 15 ft. high, with deep glossy green leaves, and bears 

 small white flowers very freely in spring. R. a. angustifolius 

 has narrower leaves, and the colour is a pleasing shade of green. 



R. a. a. variegatus has silvery-grey leaves margined with white, 

 and is very effective. R. a. aureus has broader leaves than the 

 last-named, and these are speckled with yellow on a dark green 

 ground. Rhamnuses succeed in ordinary soil, and the silver- 

 leaved variety is well adapted (although perfectly hardy) for 

 growing in cold glass -structures, as the variegation is much finer 

 than upon specimens grown out of doors. 



Rhaphiolepis. — See page 461. 



Rhododendrons are exceedingly beautiful flowering and 

 foliage shrubs, and happy in loam as well as in peat. The 

 flowers are. varied in colour and often sweet-scented. The 

 foliage, too, affords pleasing variety with its light and deep green, 

 bronze, purple, and even variegated forms. With a careful 

 selection of kinds a brilliant display of blossom may be main- 

 tained from the end of February until the latter part of June, 

 and in some seasons till nearly the end of July. The flowers of 

 the early-blossoming sorts are sometimes damaged by spring frosts, 

 and east and north-east winds are injurious. As soon as the 

 flowers are over, the seed-vessels should be picked off, unless 

 seed is wanted. 



Rhododendrons should have a surface-dressing of leaf-mould in 

 spring, and copious supplies of water at the roots during dry 

 weather will be of immense benefit to them. The best effects 

 are produced when planted in masses according to the colours 

 of the flowers, care being taken to allow sufficient room) so 

 that the characters of each sort can be displayed to advantage, 

 and if bulbs such as Liliums are planted between them, a 

 charming effect is obtained. In addition to growing them as 

 bushes, they are also effective as standards with a clean stem 

 4ft. high, and placed at intervals along the outskirts of the 

 lawn, with Scillas, Triteleias, or even Violas grouped around 

 them. 



Of the Himalayan species, the best are as described below : 



R. Thomsoni forms a neat bush, and is quite hardy ; the loose 

 trusses of deep crimson flowers are borne in May. R. cam- 

 panulatum has bell-shaped rosy-lilac flowers, spotted with purple ; 

 it grows freely, and forms a well-balanced bush 6ft. high. 

 R. fulgens is a strikingly handsome species, with bright red flowers. 

 R. niveum, with deep green Laurel-like leaves, covered with white 



