3 
THE SUCCESSF UL RHODODENDRON BED 
Enemies of the Rhododendron 
Rhododendrons, Kalmias and similar plants have few enemies. The only serious one I 
know is the Lace-wing Fly, which is native from New England throughout the Alleghanies, 
and is found on Kalmia angustifolia. Rhododendron maximum, Kalmia latifolia and occasion- 
ally on almost any broad-leaved evergreeen or deciduous tree or shrub. This pest appears 
in early spring on the under side of the leaves and gets its sustenance by suckmg 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 i* 
more at home on Rhododendrons 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 throughout 
the season, and 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 
planting of Rhododendrons without the use of "filler" or "edging" plants may 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 bhjoming 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 continuous show of blossoms against a beautiful Rho- 
dodendron leaf background. 
Some of the Best "Fillers" and "Edging Plants" 
Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata (Leatherleaf ) , Leiophyllurri buxifolium, 
(Sand Myrtle), L. prostratum (Mountain Heath) Ilex glabra (Inkberry ), Leucothoe catesbaei 
(Leucothoe), Pieris floribunda (Andromeda), Taxus minor (Canada Yew), Galax aphylla 
(Galax), Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen), Houstonia (Bluets), Mitchella repens (Par- 
tridgeberry), Shortia galacifolia (Oconee Bells), Vinca minor (Periwinkle), V. minor alba 
(White Periwinkle), Zanthorhiza apiifolia (Yellowroot), Lilies, Trilliums, Erythroniums 
(Dogtooth Violets), Ferns in great variety, Violets, Dicentra eximea (Fern Bleedmgheart), 
Iris in great variety particularly pseudacorus and Japanese; Azaleas in variety; Hex verti- 
cillata (Black Alder), Aronias (Chokeberry) in variety and many other berry-bearing 
'''"'jonquils and other spring bulbs may be used freely near the borders of plantations with 
charming results. 
MouM AiN Laurf.l ( Kalmia) and 
gives the most charming results. 
IKONS at water s 
Naturalistic planting 
