OCTOBER. 



137 



RHODODENDRON STANDISH'S PERFECTION. 



WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 



As a hardy evergreen free-flowering shrub, alike welcome in town and 

 country, the Rhododendron needs from us no recommendation. It has an 

 established reputation ; and no one who has seen the " American Shows " of 

 the metropolis, wherein Rhododendrons are dominant, will hesitate to admit 

 that it is one of the most glorious of our garden ornaments. 



Of late years much has been done, by careful crossing and selecting, to 

 improve the character of this most valuable shrub ; and Mr. Standish, of Ascot, 

 who has raised the subject of our plate, has been one of the most successful 

 workers in the field of improvement. The Rhododendron called Standish' s 

 Perfection, of which we now give a figure by Fitch, is a proof of this 

 statement. 



This variety is sturdy and vigorous in habit, and produces fine trusses of 

 blossoms ; but the most remarkable feature of the plant is the substance and 

 perfect form of the individual blossoms themselves, to which a colouring, at 

 the same time delicate and striking, imparts an additional charm. "'The 

 colouring is indeed most lovely — a kind of lilac rose melting away into a white 

 centre, the upper segments being also richly spotted. It is one of Mr. Stan- 

 dish's productions, and may be pronounced one of the finest acquisitions in the 

 shape of a hardy Rhododendron which have yet been obtained. 



As a selection of good hardy Rhododendrons we may mention the following— - 



Maculosissimum, pale rose, spotted all over 

 with black. Rather early. 



Minnie, white, with large blotch of choco- 

 late spots. 



Mrs. Standish, pru*e white, with brownish- 

 yellow spots. 



Moonbeam, very pure white. Effective. 



Ncttsoni, rosy lake. Fine. 



Ochroleucum, creamy white ; the tipper seg- 

 ment spotted with green. 



Stria tum formosissimmn, rosy scarlet, heavily 

 spotted, the spots ranged in lines. 



The Colonel, deep crimson. 



Amilcar, deep violet purple with black spots. 



Rather early. 

 Blandyanum, deep rosy scarlet. Rather early. 

 Brilliant, scarlet crimson. Rather early. 

 Bylsianum, blush, with rosy margin. 

 Concessum, deep rose, with white centre. 

 Comtesse de Morello, clear rose, with pale 



centre. 

 John Waterer, rich crimson. 

 Lady Emily Calhcart, pale rose, very heavily 



spotted. 



Lady Bowring, shaded rosy pink, finely 

 spotted. 



Limbatum, pale blush, bordered with bright 

 crimson. Rather early. 



The conditions most favourable to Rhododendrons are a peaty soil and a 

 rather moist situation ; but they will grow well enough even when these con- 

 ditions are not fulfilled. Indeed the most unsuitable of soils may without 

 much trouble be made suitable for them. Mr. Standish recommends a compost 

 of two parts sandy loam or peat, or, in fact, any sandy soil that does not con- 

 tain much chalk or lime (which American plants dislike), one part of leaf 

 mould, one half part of sand, and one half part of rotten manure. This to be 

 well incorporated, and, if possible, laid in a heap a twelvemonth before using, 

 during which time it is to be two or three times turned over and intermixed. 

 In such a compost they will grow readily ; and, beyond this, the chief con- 

 sideration is never to let them get dry at the root. 



THE GLADIOLI. 



From almost all parts of the country I hear complaints respecting a 

 disease in the Gladiolus, and may entertain fear that their bulbs will suffer in 



VOL. II. £ 



