Isaac Hicks & Son, Westbury, N. Y. — Broad-leaved Evergreens 
71 
Myrtle, continued 
they will rob the surface and keep it so dry that it 
is nearly bare of vegetation. It will be possible to 
grow Myrtle under these trees in upland if the 
ground is fertilized or manured and can be given 
a little water during the severest drought. 
Myrtle is most at home under the shade of Pines 
Spruces, Firs, Oaks, Beech, Chestnut, Dogwood, 
Birch, Locust and the various shrubs. Another 
interesting use is as a border in the hardy flower 
garden where it will form a strip of the deepest 
green about I foot wide, similar to the English Ivy, 
but without any danger of winter-killing. It has 
run wild occasionally in the woods, indicating its 
successful use for bordering woodland drives. 
For terrace banks in formal gardens which slope 
to the north and west, or are partly shaded, it is 
beautiful. Under shrubs there is often a bare and 
unkempt appearance which Myrtle will remedy. 
Mulching with leaves under Rhododendrons is 
objected to because the leaves may blow out and 
litter the lawn. This will not happen if manure 
is mixed with the leaves and a row of Myrtle is 
planted along the border. One of the pleasures of 
childhood is the rivalry to bring in the first Myrtle 
or Violet blossom. 
Double-flowering. Vinca minor, var. plena. The 
large, double purple flowers appear in spring and 
at intervals throughout the summer. 
Variegated. V. minor, var. variegata. A variety 
with bright yellow foliage. 
White-flowering. V. minor, var. alba. A rarer 
variety, with pure white flowers. 
This was a mat of Myrtle south of an old farm-house 
under the Spruce trees. It was allowed to remain when 
the estate was improved, and makes a solid and even cover 
of the richest and darkest green winter and summer. View 
on the lawn of Mrs. R. L. Stevens, Westbury, L. I. 
Rhododendrons 
Rhododendrons rank with Roses, Magnolias, Orchids, as among the most refined, elegant and beautiful 
of flowers. It is the supposed difficulty of cultivation and lack of accurate knowledge among nurserymen 
and growers that accounts for the scarcity of this, plant. Another reason for their scarcity is slow growth 
and difficulty of propagation, and, therefore, they are not forced on the market as Roses and other plants 
which can be grown in a year or two. They are plants which satisfy all the year and, therefore, even if 
they are high-priced, they will repay the investment. 
The flowers of Rhododendrons are in immense clusters 3 to 7 inches long. The colors range through 
white, pink, cherry, rose, lavender, carmine and purple. Some discrimination in grouping the colors is 
therefore required. We have carefully studied this point and listed those which show a slight tint of purple. 
These shades are found in the hardiest varieties with the best foliage effects and, therefore, those having 
space for a quantity of Rhododendrons should use these varieties in a separate part, especially as they 
are the most abundantly available in nurseries. 
The uses of Rhododendrons in beautifying the landscape are but slightly understood, because examples 
of them in large masses are so rare that people have not become accustomed to their possibilities. Another 
strong reason is the fact that so many people have been fooled by planting tender varieties. These have 
been most cheaply propagated and, therefore, pushed on the market. The plants may be worth the' cost, 
in their beauty of flowers and foliage the first season, but when they become half dead after a severe winter 
and remain a blot on the lawn, they discourage further planting. People often plant one or three Rhodo- 
dendrons on the bare lawn where the sun shines on the soil at their roots and dries them out in midsummer 
or the ground freezes deeply in the winter and the next spring they drop part of their leaves and lose some 
flower-buds. All this can be avoided by remembering that Rhododendrons need a leaf-mulch and that 
they love company. Places where Rhododendrons will thrive are so numerous that we enumerate first 
a few places to avoid: Under old trees of Silver Maple, Red Maple, and Willow, if on dry ground; on the 
top of a hill unless they have a temporary shelter from wind in the winter; in a sdil of dry sand or gravel; 
stiff clay soil; limestone soil. They will grow anywhere on Long Island that corn and potatoes will, only 
add a leaf -mulch. They are appropriate at the foundations of a building, especially on a half-shaded side. 
Do not be afraid of the north side, thinking it is cold; that is just what they like, because the bright sun 
does not thaw them out quickly in the morning and dry out the leaves. A section of a long group of shrubs 
should be Rhododendrons. ..„..-■-, 
In Long Island forests they will thrive excellently, and in the deepest shade they will have the longest 
and darkest foliage, but will there have the least number of flower buds. They especially like open groves 
of Chestnut, Oak and Dogwood. Swampy land can be transformed into beautiful gardens of Magnolia, 
Rhododendron and Azalea, but in such situations it is best to cut out a large bed in the turfy roots of the 
swamp trees to lessen the competition against the Rhododendrons. 
The formal garden of Mr. Paul D. Cravath, Locust Valley, L. L, is banked with a broad plantation 
of Rhododendron maximum, bordered by the bright red varieties of Rhododendron catawbiense. Back of 
