Ehododendron catawbiense at 5,000 feet elevation, western North Carolina. Mt. Mitchell 6.600 feet 
tlie higliest point cast of the Rocliies in the distance 
MAKING RHODODENDRON BEDS 
AND THE PLANTING AND CARE OF NATIVE PLANTS 
The Azaleas, lihododendrons and nearly all ericaceous plants of this general type offered in our cata- 
log are oironeously considered by many very difficult to grow successfullv. 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. 
Khododendrons, 
to I 
. A/.aieas, Kalraias and a large variety of American plants grow naturallv in shadv. 
damp situations, and are surface feeders with fine, hair-Uke roots; therefore drought cheeks 
growth or kills outright very quickly. In preparing beds for these things, and especially Rhododendrons, 
a northern e.^posure should be chosen where possible, and preferably where there is sh.ide much of the 
day. t.xcavate to a .depth of 2 to ;! feet or more, and fill in with a mixture of leaf-mold, 
surtaco loam, swamp peat or muck or field sods, with a few loads of sharp sand. 
All material should be well rotted and mi.xed. 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 seive as a mulch. 
In winter protect Rhododendrons with pine or spruce boughs, particularlv 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 ear,h 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 
It ''^M \ f this line to any one wishing to know bet- 
\ y \/ ter how to successfully grow our charming native 
^Sj, , Y plants. Highlands Nursery is the only collection of 
' i, I hardy American plants exclusively in the United 
I I States. Over 100 acres and (iOO species of native plants. 
NOTE. — Tlie xises immediateJy after the common 
names denote heUjIils attained each spedes iti its wilil 
state. In ciilliraliiin the les.s'er size may be assumed its 
usual limit of growth. 
B. maximum 
riioto^r.ipli sllOH 
Aiiicrical 
B. catawbiense 
ini; toiiijxir.itivf sizfs ami stialics of our tlirfe t.fsl sixrt 
I Khodotlcndron. vhie-third to one-luilf natural size 
B. punctatum 
of 
NOTE All these Rhodod endrons are perfectly hardy 
* in the latitude of Quebec. 
I 
