316 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



Raphiolepis japonica. — This has flowers which are 

 pure white, fragrant, about ^ inch across, and are pro- 

 duced in erect panicles. The leaves are shining green 

 and obovate. Only hardy in the south. Japan, 1865. 



Rhamnus Alatcrnus. — In general appearance this ever- 

 green resembles a Phillyrea, but the leaves are alternate 

 and variable in form. Nurserymen distinguish several 

 forms, as latifolius and angustifolius, and varieties with 

 white or yellow variegation. Succeeds well in all except 

 heavy wet soils, growing to a height of 20 feet or more. 

 Southern Europe, 1629. 



Rhododendron (see also Azalea). — With few excep- 

 tions evergreen trees or shrubs. The leaves are alternate, 

 entire, often felted or scaly beneath. The flowers are 

 usually large, brilliantly coloured, and produced in great 

 abundance. Most of the varieties in cultivation have 

 been bred in gardens from species from North America, 

 Asia Minor, and the mountains of India. There are 

 also many other species grown in collections, including 

 the "Roses of the Alps", and several from Siberia, China, 

 and Japan. Some of those from the latter region are 

 nearly or quite deciduous, and have small solitary flowers, 

 or two or three together, resembling the Azaleas — R. 

 dauricum, for example. In South Wales, Cornwall, and 

 similarly favoured localities the Himalayan species thrive 

 in the open air, but even as far to the north only as 

 London, the number is much reduced. The following, 

 however, thrive in sheltered positions: — campanulatum, 

 ciliatum, Fortunei, glaucum, cinnabarinum, fulgens, 

 niveum, Thomsonii, besides hybrids raised from these and 

 other species. The newest additions are from Western 

 China. 



R, arboreum (fig. 387). — A handsome tree, not hardy 

 except in the south-western part of the kingdom. It 



Fi^r 387. — Rhododendron arhoreum. 



forms a tree from 25 to 40 feet high, and presents several 

 fine natural varieties, differing in the colour of their 

 flowers. The type has rich scarlet flowers, spotted with 

 black inside, and leaves clothed with silvery scales on the 

 lower surface. Campbell ia\ cinnamomeum, nilagiracum, 

 and others are usually regarded as varieties. The hybrids 

 flower in April and May, or even earlier ; altaclarense, a 



hybrid between R. arboreum and R. cataivbiense, flowers 

 as a rule in January; hence it is liable to be injured by 

 late frosts and a sheltered, partly shaded situation should 

 be selected for it. The popular garden varieties are dealt 

 with elsewhere. 



R. campanulatum. — A shrub 4 to 6 feet high, the leaves 

 covered with a fawn-coloured powder beneath; the large 

 flowers are mauve or white, spotted with purple at the 

 base of the three upper lobes. Also an early-flowering 

 species, of which there are several varieties. Himalaya, 

 1825. 



R. cataivbiense. — A hardy species from 4 to 6 feet high, 

 with stout branches and deflexed leaves. The flowers are 

 borne in compact clusters and are either pink or rose, 

 tinged and spotted with violet. Numerous hybrids have 

 been raised from it which flower in summer when there 

 is no danger of their being injured by frost. North 

 America, 1809. 



R. caucasicum. — A dwarf hardy species, rarely ex- 

 ceeding 3 feet in height. The flowers are white within, 

 rosy-pink outside, and spotted with green in the throat. 

 The varieties stramineum, pale yellow; pulcherrimum, 

 rose; album, white; pictum, delicate pink with dark 

 spots, are among the best. Caucasus, 1803. 



R. ciliatum. — A compact, shrubby, small-leaved species, 

 clothed with rough hairs. Flowers large, delicate rosy- 

 pink and white, appearing in early spring, and thus liable 

 to be destroyed by late frosts. North India, 1850. 



R. dauricum. — Two forms of this are grown, one 

 deciduous, the other evergreen. The latter, which is 

 known as atro circus, is the best. Flowers bright rosy- 

 purple, sometimes open in January. Siberia, 1780. 



R. fcrrugincum.—A dwarf compact shrub from 1 to 2 

 feet high. Leaves small for the genus, covered with 

 rusty scales on the under side. Flowers rosy-red, less 

 than an inch in diameter, appearing from May to July. 

 Alps of Europe, 1752. 



R. fulgi ns. — One of the hardiest of the Sikkim species. 

 Leaves oval, smooth, green above, woolly and brown 

 beneath; the flowers appear in March, and are rich blood- 

 red. 1851. 



R. Fortunei. — This differs from most Rhododendrons 

 in Inning fragrant flowers 3 inches across, and in the 

 corolla having usually seven segments. The leaves are 

 smooth, rather pale green. Flowers in May. 8 feet high. 

 China, 1859. Recently this species has been used for 

 hybridizing, and there is every promise of a new and 

 valuable race springing from it. 



R. hirsutui/t. — Similar to R. ferruginewn, differing 

 chiefly in its minutely toothed and fringed leaves, which 

 are furnished with resinous dots below. Prefers a chalky 

 soil. 



R. hewense. — A beautiful hybrid between R. Hookcri 

 and R. griffithianum. Its flowers appear in May in loose 

 clusters, and each measures 4 inches or even more across; 

 colour pale-rose. Raised at Kew, 1875. 



R. maximum. — A shrub or small tree from 10 to 15 

 feet high, and perfectly hardy. Flowers in depressed 

 clusters of medium size, rose and white with a pale-yel- 

 low blotch, and purple-brown spots on the upper lobe, 

 or wholly white. This has given birth to several seminal 

 varieties, and, in conjunction with other species, to 

 numerous hybrids. North America, 1736. 



R. povticum. — The hardiest of all except cataivbiense. 

 It is commonly planted in shrubberies, as it will thrive 

 in a great variety of soils. There are hybridized varieties 

 with white, scarlet, pink, and purple - violet flowers, 

 variously spotted with yellow, green, or brown. In 



