448 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



tomentum on the under-sides, bears pale lilac flowers, with deeper 

 blotches. R. ciliatum deserves a place in front of taller-growing 

 shrubs, being neat in growth and having small hairy leaves and 

 rose-tinted flowers produced freely on young plants. R. campylo- 

 carpum is one of the loveliest of dwarf-growing species, with 

 small deep green leaves. It is perfectly hardy, and bears soft 

 primrose-yellow flowers in quite a small state. R. glaucum is 

 another dwarf-growing species not generally cultivated, though 

 distinct, beautiful, and hardy. The pale purple flowers are borne 

 very profusely on well-established plants. 



Of the American species R. maximum is very handsome, with 

 delicate rose-coloured flpwers. It is useful for the woodland. 

 R. catawbiense is of vigorous growth, with broad flat leaves and 

 lilac-purple flowers ; its variegated form deserves mention, as its 

 foliage is distinctly marked with yellow. R. californicum has 

 large rose-purple flowers, spotted with yellow. 



R. Sminowi, a native of the Caucasus, is a valuable species 

 of recent introduction, and as yet rare in this country, but 



as its merits become better 

 known is sure to be planted 

 freely. It is of rather slow 

 growth, and forms a dense 

 bush, with large pale green 

 leaves covered with white 

 tomentum on the under 

 sides, and in spring bears 

 loose trusses of rosy-lilac 

 flowers, the broad petals be- 

 ing crimped at the margins. 

 R. ponticum (Fig. 283) is 

 noteworthy as being one of 

 the parents of a host of 

 beautiful hybrids that adorn 

 our gardens and pleasure- 

 grounds. It is better 

 adapted for the woodland 

 than the garden. The varie- 

 gated form, albo-marginatum, 

 is very showy. R. ferru- 

 gineum (Alpine Rose) rarely 

 exceeds 2ft., and has rose- 

 coloured flowers. It is use- 

 ful for edgings to beds and 

 borders planted with dwarf-growing shrubs, and deserves a place 

 on the rockery. R. f. atrococcineum, R. f. myrtifolium, and R. /. 

 variegatum are all worthy of a place in the rock-garden. 



R. hirsutum and R. h. album are dwarf-growing sorts of 

 compact habit, with red and white flowers respectively. Of 



Fig. 283. — Rhododendron ponticum. 



