FLORA 
AND SYLVA. 
Vol. III. No. 23.] FEBRUARY, 1905 [Monthly. 
HIMALAYAN RHODODEN- 
DRONS IN THE SOUTH-WEST. 
Through the greater part of this country 
lovers of the Rhododendron in the open 
air have to be content with the beauty 
of the hardier hybrids, and the much 
over-planted R. ponticum. In some 
portions of the kingdom, however, such 
as the coast of Wales, the south of 
Ireland, the west coast of Scotland, and 
the southern shores of Devon and Corn- 
wall, the noble Himalayan species and 
hybrids may be enjoyed in all their 
beauty of flower and foliage, growing 
as freely as in their own country. But 
perhaps the conditions are nowhere so 
favourable to their well-being as in the 
south of Cornwall, a locality rendered 
genial by the slow drift of the Gulf 
Stream up its coast, rich in atmospheric 
moisture, and sheltered from the biting 
winds that sweep the higher land to 
the northward. Here they may be seen 
in all their loveliness, and it is difficult 
to imagine anyone who has shared that 
privilege agreeing with the statement 
of the author of an article on Hima- 
layan Rhododendrons in The Ga?^de?i^ 
some years back, that, "It is when 
treated as conservatory plants that they 
are seen to the greatest advantage." So 
far from this being the case, where 
these Rhododendrons can be seen in 
their natural beauty, they are the most 
glorious of all flowering shrubs of the 
open air. Nothing in the floral world 
can be more lovely than the giant bushes, 
often 20 feet or more in height and as 
much in diameter, loaded with count- 
less trusses of pink, crimson, or white 
blossoms, glistening in the sunshine of 
a windless April or May morning. 
Himalayan Rhododendrons require 
shelter, which is best afforded by trees 
at a little distance. From what I have 
seen in gardens of the south-west, I 
think that they dislike overhead shade, 
and are less vigorous and bear fewer 
flowers when overhung by trees than 
when nothing comes between them and 
the sky. The spot at Tregothnan where 
the finest of the Himalayan Rhododen- 
drons are growing is an ideal site, 
sheltered by trees on all sides, but 
fully open to the sky above. Here 
the Rhododendrons are of great size, 
flowering abundantly, and of perfect 
shape. As regards soil, peat is certainly 
the best for Rhododendrons, but, if lime 
be absent, they will succeed in most soils. 
In light and moderatelyheavyloamsthey 
are often to be met with in the best of 
c 
