Border of Rhododendron and Boxwood thirteen months after planting from our nurseries. With the large old plants we 



offer, results like this can be accomplished immediately 



RHODODENDRONS, Catawbiense Hybrids 



RHODODENDRON characteristics, and their hardiness, we have care- 

 fully recorded for many years, noting particularly those varieties which 

 come through the severest winters with least damage to flower-bud or 

 foliage, and it is these varieties which comprise our list. When they 

 have been blooming, we have studied with equal care the color, 

 noting brightness and purity of shades. We have been several years 

 working up a stock based upon accurate knowledge and persistent 

 endeavor to get varieties of value in this climate. We now have 

 10,000 Catawbiense Hybrids which have been growing in the nur- 

 series from one to ten years, ranging in age from three to twelve 

 years. We will have 5,000 imported in the spring of 1912. The 

 varieties we want are not extensively grown in Europe, and we can 

 get but a few from each grower. In some cases we order them 

 grown several years in advance. 



We invite you to come to the nurseries between May 15 and June 

 15, to get acquainted with the full beauties of Rhododendrons. Take 

 home the plants even in full bloom. A dozen or more can be carried 

 in an automobile. Next day send for more to complete the group if 

 needed. A rich, rare planting of Rhododendrons is a valuable asset to a place. Send 

 for our circular, "Facts about Hicks' Rhododendrons," showing many situations 

 where they may be appropriately planted and how easy it is to succeed with them. 

 Lilies may be planted under Rhododendrons, enriching the effect of the bed by their 

 brilliantly colored, exquisite flowers against the rich green foliage in July and August. 



The difficulties of culture are largely imaginary. Correct culture may be condensed to the term, leaf-mulch. 

 Some persons say, "Oh, I have tried Rhododendrons, and they have failed." Questioning reveals that they 

 have purchased them from department stores or sidewalk venders who buy the tender Ponticum varieties, or they 

 have planted them singly in the grass where the leaf-mulch cannot stay and protect the roots from hot sunshine 

 and dry winds. 



E. S. Rand, in a book on Rhododendrons pubHshed in 1876, says, "They can be grown as easily as Lilacs, and 

 bloom quite as freely. These plants are attractive at all seasons; in flower they are magnificent, in foliage they 

 excel any evergreen." 



56 



Rhododendron 

 Lady Clermont 



