KELSEYS HARDY AMERICAN RHODODENDRONS 
winter Protection. If convenient, protect them with pine or other evergreen boughs, 
particularly where exposed to the sun and wind; yet Rhododendrons rarely suffer in the lati- 
tude of Boston or Buffalo, if properly planted and mulched. 
In the latitude of Ottawa and Quebec, Canada, a board fencing may be placed around 
the edge of the bed and much heavier temporary mulching of straw, etc., filled in almost 
or quite to the tops of the plants. It is rarely necessary to build a board cover, except on 
southern exposures to prevent sunburn, or with tender varieties not suitable for general 
planting, and even then evergreen boughs are preferable. Ciood ventilation must be provided. 
Selecting the Location. For the Rhododendron bed, select a northern exposure, where 
possible, especially in low elevations in the South, or elsewhere where freezing and thawing 
is quite continual. A direct winter sun on the frozen leaves of any broad-leaved evergreen 
often kills outright, or spoils the foliage. The north side of the building, wall, woods or hill is 
always preferable, and wind-swept locations should be avoided, unless proper measures are 
taken to check the hca\'>- winds. 
Limestone Soils Mean Death. Most cricaceous |)lants, and particularly Rhododen- 
drons, Kalmias, Azaleas, Leucothoes, Andromedas, Galax, Epig«a and similar species, and 
some Lilies and Ferns will not endure large quantities of lime in any form. Permanent satis- 
factory results cannot be had, therefore, in soils impregnated with lime, and, where such con- 
ditions exist, excavation and filling in with proper materials must be resorted to. Sulfate of 
magnesia in considerable quantities is said to be a specific for limestone conditions, but con- 
clusive experiments are yet to be made. 
Enemies of the Rhododendron 
Rhododendrons, Kalmias and similar plants have very few enemies. The only serioua 
one is the I.ace-wing Fly, which is native from New England throughout the Alleghanies, and 
is found on Kalmia angustifolia. Rhododendron maximum and Kalmia lalijolia. This pest 
appears in early spring on the under side of the leaves and gets its sustenance by sucking the 
sap. The leaves turn brown, giving the plant a ragged, unkempt appearance. It is easily 
disposed of by spraying the under side of the leaves, using a very fine nozzle, with an emulsion 
of ten gallons of whale-oil soap to one hundred gallons of water. While the Lace-wing Fly 
is more at home on Rhododendron maximum, it does not hesitate to attack all other species 
to a greater or less extent. Plants in the shade are rarely infested to any great degree. 
"Fillers" — Plants to be Used with Rhododendrons 
For the best landscape effects, as well as providing a continual succession of bloom through- 
out the season, and by actually protecting the Rhododendrons and supplying a "feathered" 
edge to the ground, a large variety of shrubs and plants may be employed with the finest 
results. In fact, the clear planting of Rhododendrons without the use of "filler" or "edging" 
plants give harsh, formal effects, which are neither desirable nor natural in any way. In the use 
of "fillers" great care must be taken as to time of blooming and color effects, so they do not 
clash. It is surprising how many "filler" plants can be used without detracting from the broad 
evergreen effect, and yet supplying 
an amazing amount of interesting 
detail and a continual show of blos- 
soms against a beautiful Rhododendron 
leaf background. 
Some of the Best "Fillers" 
and "Edging Plants" 
Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne 
calyculata, Dendrium buxifolium, D. 
prostratum, Ilex glabra, Leucothoe 
catesbsei, Pieris floribunda, Taxus 
minor, Galax aphylla, Gaultheria pro- 
cumbens, Houstonia serpyllifolia, 
Mitchella repens, Shortia galacifolia, 
Vinca minor, V. minor alba, Xanthor- 
rhiza apiifolia. Lilies, Trilliums, Ery- 
throniums, Violets, Ferns in great 
variety, Dicentra eximia. Iris, Azaleas ; 
Hex verticillata, Aronia arbutifolia, 
and many other berry-bearing shrubs. 
Highlands Nursery. Beds where Rhododendrons 
Kalmias and Andromedas are grown by tens of 
thousands. 
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