44 THE EHODODENDRON. 



In Part 11. we shall give the habit of the variety 

 "where it is peculiar, in order to aid the planter. 



Rhododendrons are particularly adapted for speci- 

 mens, and never look better than when so planted. 

 Large masses are, however, very effective in foliage, 

 and of wonderful magnificence when in flower. In 

 their native habitats the plants grow in huge masses, 

 and any one who has seen a Southern "Laurel 

 swamp" in bloom will never forget its beauty. 

 Some of the hills of the Alleghany Moimtains pre- 

 sent masses of Rhododendrons, than which one can- 

 not find a finer sight in the floral kingdom. We 

 can, in cultivation, excel nature in variety, if not in 

 quantity. We have masses of Rlaododendrons wliich, 

 when in bloom, are sheets of color, — white, pink, 

 scarlet, and purple ; and no more beautiful sight can 

 be imagined. 



In planting masses, regard need not be had to 

 keeping tlie plants separate. Give each room to 

 develop, and then let the branches mingle : the 

 eflect is far more natural and beautiful. Varieties 

 should also be arranged as to color to present the 

 best contrasts when in bloom : this is easily done by 

 selecting named kinds. Those which bloom at the 

 same season should be planted together : there is a 

 difference of many weeks in the flowering of species 

 and varieties. 



Thus, Rhododendron dauricum blooms with the cro- 

 cuses ; but R. hirsiitum not mitil the middle of Jime. 

 R. grandiflorum is with us a week earlier than any 

 of the Catatobiense hybrids ; wliile R. Hannibal is 

 the latest of all, seldom blooming until all the others 



