Choice Trees, Shrubs and Hardy Plants. 



29 



RHODODENDRONS. These 

 beautiful shrubs are unsur- 

 passed. They are indispen- 

 sable for the best landscape 

 effects. Planted in solid 

 masses and borders they are 

 incomparably fine. Nothing 

 can excel the beauty of their 

 massive heads of various 

 colorings for the several 

 weeks during May and June 

 when they are in bloom. The 

 bold, rich foliage is also 

 effective during the entire 

 year. 



The really hardy Catawbi- 

 ense varieties described be- 

 low are inherently hardy 

 and will flourish in any good 

 loamy soil, moderately en- 

 riched with fibrous material 

 or well-rotted leaf mold, 

 cow manure or well-rotted Gkoup of Haedy Rhododendkons in Bloom. 



sod. 



Although a shaded situation is sometimes preferable, these hardy varieties with proper treat- 

 ment will succeed as perfectly in the open ground. The plants should be arranged in good-sized 

 beds or masses, and when first planted set as close as two or three feet apart, and the beds or 

 borders made two or three feet deep. 



While winter protection is not necessary, in exposed locations a shelter of a few evergreen 

 boughs sufiicient to keep off the sun and wind in winter is often advantageous. Mulching is always 

 desirable, as drought in most cases is more injurious to the plants than the cold in winter. The 

 roots should be kept moist by a suitable mulch. 



The seed pod should always be removed soon after flowering, as the development of the seed 

 duiing the late summer and autumn tends to retard the development of the flower buds for the 

 following season. 



An effective arrangement can frequently be made in planting the Rhodendron maximum with its 

 large, bold foliage as a backgi-ound, and the fine hardy named varieties with their brilliant colorings 

 as a foreground. Where less height 13 desired, a border of Andromeda floribunda or the hardy 

 azaleas may be advantageously used. 



The furnishing of these fine hardy Rhode dendrons is one of my leading specialties. Some of the 

 largest plantations in the country the past twenty years have been furnished by me ; the success 

 with these plants even under adverse conditions demonstrates the practicability of their 

 extended use. 



My plants have been several times transplanted and are of the strictly hardy varietifs for this climate. 

 I offer them, as heretofore, in case collections of 25, 50 and 100 plants to the case. These cases 

 contain a choice selection of the best hardy named varieties of assorted colors for group or mass planting 

 far immediate effect. Particular varieties can be supplied by the hundred or thousand at lowest 

 prices for well-budded, reliable plants. These are the cheapest and best. There is no experiment 

 in trying them. Every plant will grow and will bloom nicely the first season. Many foreign 

 plants sold in this country, owing to lack of hardiness, are almost worthless. Thousands of such 

 plants are sent out every season. Practically all of the Rhododendrons grown on the Continent 

 contain more or less of the arboreum or ponticum strain, and are wholly useless for planting in the 

 Central, Middle, or New England States. This accentuates the importance of obtaining from 

 responsible, reliable houses, the really hardy Catawbiense varieties, such as here offered, and always 

 give satisfaction. 



The last lot of Rhododendrons are also fine plants, and arrived in good condition.— E. H., Baltimore, -Md. 



