April, 1908 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



143 



Thicket Growth of Spotted Calceolarias 



The plant is of the figwort 

 family, and is an immigrant 

 from South America, where 

 it is highly prized. 



The rhododendron is one 

 of the most beautiful of 

 shrubs, with its alternate 

 often evergreen leaves and 

 five-parted flowers. The 

 combination of the rhodo- 

 dendron and the azalea, 

 whose fragrant rose-colored 

 blossoms are, under such 

 conditions, seen with telling 

 effect, is desirable and easily 

 accomplished, as neither is 

 expensive nor difficult to ob- 

 tain. Really, the azalea 

 and the rhododendron are 

 of the same family, al- 

 though the former is of 

 Alpine origin. 



In making the combina- 

 tion it is best to avoid all 

 semblance of guided 

 growth. In the Blue Ridge 

 Mountains, where the rho- 

 dodendron is seen at its 

 best, the very harmony of 

 its irregular growth adds 



immensely to the charm of effect. What may be called the ways. Set the rhododendrons about twenty inches apart, 

 purely natural effect can be secured with little trouble by and let them alone. This is not nor will it be a place for the 

 planting azaleas and rhododendrons close together, and then pruning shears to operate. The rhododendron, like the 

 letting them grow and spread at will, within bounds, of mountain laurel, is exceedingly prolific. Nor does it sap the 

 course. Twenty-one inches apart is an excellent distance to lives of the trees among which it grows. At the same time 

 observe in setting shrubbery growths. it affords a density of growth that for a path screen serves 



If the acre contains a bit of woodland, there is oppor- admirably, 

 tunity for a charming rhododendron walk or path. This An error in the matter of porch and veranda growth all 



requires no elaborate preparation. The walk should wind too frequently in evidence, and one which the country home- 

 about. Gentle curves are always a feature of nature's path- maker should avoid, is selection according to the idea that 



anything which grows free 

 and spreads rapidly will 

 serve. Wistaria is perhaps 

 the most popular of all the 

 creepers, largely for this 

 reason. To be sure it is 

 charming in its way, but it 

 has manifold defects, and 

 compares unfavorably with 

 other growths adapted to 

 the same purpose. 



What is more beautiful 

 woven about a porch in na- 

 t u r e ' s matchless fashion 

 than the English ivy. or its 

 American cousin, the Vir- 

 ginia creeper? Then there 

 is the Tartarian honey- 

 suckle. When in addition 

 the porch or veranda is 

 hedged about with old- 

 fashioned lilac, the mock- 

 orange or syringa, the dog- 

 wood or the sumac, the ef- 

 fect is delightful indeed. 

 These are all plain and 

 simple growths, but they 

 furnish a wealth of oppor- 

 tunity for charming color 

 The Aubrietia Makes a Charming Border for the Driveway combinations which will 



