DESCRIPTION OP THE RHODODENDRON. 63 



Variety Vervaneanum is also double-flowered. 

 We cannot speak as to its hardiness. 



Variety gtjttatum is delicate and pretty. The 

 flowers are white, distinctly spotted. Well worth 

 growing, but tender. 



There are other varieties, varying in color from 

 deep purple to pure white, some very pretty and 

 desirable, and aU worth planting for experiment. 



It is impossible to teU whether these will prove 

 hardy, and the only course is for each cultivator to 

 try them for himself. As the plants are very cheap, 

 the experiment cannot prove expensive. 



We have given descriptions of those which we 

 have grown at Glen Kidge, and probably any which 

 we have found hardy will prove so anywhere south 

 of the latitude of Boston. We do not, however, 

 advise the amateur who only plants a few Rhododen- 

 drons to choose any of the pontic varieties. They 

 are less showy than others, and may be cut off at 

 any time by a winter of unusual severity. 



Ehododendron maximum. 



This is the Rose Bay, or Great Laurel, of the New 

 England States ; and is found plentifully from south- 

 ern New England southward. The farthest north- 

 ern limit is a swamp near Sebago Lake, near 

 Portland, Me. ; it next occurs in a large swamp on 

 the banks of Charles River, in Medfield, Mass., and 

 next in a swamp in Randolph, south of the Blue 

 Hifl. 



