LANDSCAPE GARDENING STUDIES 



normal growth is to mulch heavily with leaves or 

 other rotting organic matter soon after planting. 

 The value of the mulching effect is well under- 

 stood. 



Care of rhododendrons consists chiefly in remov- 

 ing the excess of flower buds, taking away the 

 fading flowers as soon as they show signs of decay, 

 and watering during dry periods even as late as 

 November if the drought has been considerable. 

 The weakening effect of autumn drought has 

 caused more rhododendrons to die in the following 

 March than the extreme cold of the winter. A 

 good way to break the severity of the winds 

 throughout the winter and the spring is to place 

 evergreen boughs thrust in the ground throughout 

 the rhododendron groups, thus sheltering them. 



The maintenance of a large group of rhododen- 

 drons calls for almost daily attention throughout 

 summer and autumn. Not only are the foregoing 

 precautions necessary,, but protection must be pro- 

 vided against the insects which will come as they 

 come to all plants. Fungous growths may appear. 

 Mice may invade the mulch in winter, all of which 

 must be guarded against. After planting rhodo- 

 dendrons and mulching them, there is no need 

 of cultivation with fork or spade. Indeed, it 

 may prove positively injurious. 



LIST OF HARDY RHODODENDRONS 



Abraham Lincoln, rosy crimson 



Album elegans, light blush, marked with straw-color, fading white 

 Album grandiflorum, light blush, fading white 



[90] 



