Bhododendron catawbiense at 5,000 feet olevation, western North Carolina. Mt. Miichell C.GOO feet 
the higliest point east of the Rockies in the distance 
MAKING RHODODENDRON BEDS 
AND THE PLANTING AND CARE OF NATIVE PLANTS 
The Azaleas, lihododendrons and jiearlyall ericaceous plants of this general type offered in our cata- 
log are erroneously considered by many very difficult to grow suecessEully. This is because proper con- 
ditions of soil and location are not supplied, and one should bear in mind that in planting these things it 
is absolutely essential to start aright. 
Khododeadrons, Azaleas, Kalmlas and a large variety of American plants grow naturallv in shady, 
damp situations, and are surface feeders with fine, hair-like roots; therefore drought eheelcs 
growth or kills outright very quickly. In preparing beds tor these things, and especially Rhododendrons, 
a northern exposure should be chosen where possible, and preferably where there is shade much of the 
day. Excavate to a depth of 2 to ;! feet or more, and fill in with a mixture of leaf-mold, 
surface loam, swamp peat or muck or field sods, with a few loads of sharp sand. 
All material should be well rotted and mixed. The ground should be kept thoroughly 
mulched with leaves and moisture supplied in dry weather. Well-rotted manure may be 
used in preparing beds and as an occasional top-dressing, but in no case must stimulating 
or heating manure be used. 
Ericaceous plants will not grow in soil containing large quantities of lime in any 
form, and dry, hard ground is sure death. Almost any material containing vegetable matter 
will serve as a mulch. 
In winter protect Rhododendrons with pine or spruce boughs, particularly where exposed 
to the sun. Winter sun on the frozen leaves often kills Rhododendrons or spoils 
the foliage. 
Of course, a majority of the plants do not need such care, but all 
well repay careful preparation of beds and planting. Ferns and herba- 
ceous plants especially thrive in the Rhododendron bed, and such an 
evergreen border may be made to produce a profusion of bloom the whole 
season by a judicious selection of species. 
In planting the rockery, see that ferns and other plants have 
soil connecting with the earsh below, otherwise they dry out and die. 
With these instructions carefully carried out, our Native Plants are 
hardy and may be grown throughout the United States except, perhaps, 
in the extreme North and Northwest, and the 
same may well be said of our beautiful native 
plants as of any others: give a good, rich, deep 
soil, with abundant well-decayed vegeta- 
ble food and good drainage, and the re- 
sults must be satisfactory. We will 
gladly give advice and suggestions in 
this line to any one wishing to know bet- 
ter how to successfully grow our charming native 
plants. Highlands Nursery is the only collection of 
hardy American plants exclusively in the United 
States. Over 100 acres and GOO species of native plants. 
NOTE. — The iti:es immediately after the common 
vamcs denote heights attained by each species in its wild 
state. In cnlliration the lesser si:e may be assumed its 
usual limit of f/ioirlh. 
R. punctatum 
Fholot;raiili sliitwiii;; t 
Aliicrkatl Rhotioilcnilron. 
one-third to one-half natur.il t 
' f >rsl s[>ci its of 
NOTF ^^^^'^ Rhododendrons are perfectly hardy 
in the latitude of Quebec. 
I 
