64 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



also be grown from seed, and good plants are fre- 

 quently the result. 



Java Rhododendrons 



These are hybrids and cross-breeds. The species 

 used were R. Javanlcum, R. jasminijlorum^ and R. 

 multicolor^ and from the first-named this group is 

 sometimes known as the ^* Javanese race." They are 

 beautiful evergreen shrubs raised by Messrs J. Veitch, 

 of Chelsea, and differ from the Himalayan and other 

 spring flowers, rhododendrons of the cool greenhouse, 

 in that their flowers are smaller, of more beautiful and 

 extended colouring, and produced over a far greater 

 part of the year. With a dozen or so of plants, one is 

 seldom without flowers. Scentless, but running through 

 so many exquisite shades of orange, rose, and red, these 

 are most useful for choice bouquets when detached singly 

 from the shoots and wired. The double varieties, fewer 

 in number than the single forms, are known in gardens 

 as R. balsaminaefloruin, and owe their origin to the seed 

 produced by a casual semi-double flower, fertilised by its 

 own pollen, by Mr Head. 



Their blooms last nearly twice the time of the singles, 

 and are charming button-hole material. These Java 

 rhododendrons also require more warmth than the usual 

 kinds. An intermediate house is necessary, and in a 

 moist atmosphere the plants remain clean and bright. 

 This is all the more necessary, as the plants cannot well 

 be syringed when in flower. All the light possible is 

 required in winter, and only a slight shading in summer 

 sunshine. During that season the plants are not hurt 

 with the temperature of ordinary greenhouses, but they 

 are best in a warmed one. It is a good plan to obtain a 

 few fresh plants annually, so that a succession of young 

 plants is always at hand. Potting, if necessary, should 



