K e 1 s e s ' s H a r d p A m e r i c a n Plants 
PREPARING RHODODENDRON BEDS 
and the Planting and Care of Native Plants 
The Azaleas, Rhododendrons and nearly all ericaceoiis plants of this general type 
offered in our catalogue are erroneously considered by many very difficult to grow success- 
fullyr This is because proper conditions 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. 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias and a large variety of American plants grow natur- 
ally in shady, damp situations, and are surface feeders with fine, hair-like roots; therefore 
drought checks growth or kills outright very quickly. In preparing beds for 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 3 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. I'he ground should be kept thor- 
oughly mulched with leaves and moisture supplied in dry weather. Well-rotted manure 
may be used in preparing beds and 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, par- 
ticularly 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 preparations of beds and planting. Kerns and her- 
baceous 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 earth below, otherwise they dry out and die. 
With these instructions carefully carried out, our Native Plants are 
hardy and mav 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 vegetable food and good drainage, and 
the results must be satisfactory. VVe will gladly give 
advice and suggestions in this line to any one wishing 
to know better how to successfully grow our charm- 
ing native plants. 
We publish a specially attractive Rhododendron 
Booklet filled with 
half-tone illustrations 
for those interested, 
and gladly mail it 
free. 
R. maximum. 
K. puiictatutii. 
Photograph showirig comparative sizes and shapes ot our three best species or 
American Rhododendrons. One-half natural size (or '/s}. 
NOTE 
All these Rho- 
dodendrons are 
perfectly hardy 
in the latitude 
of New York 
State. 
J. KOMCE MttAKLdliU 1,0.. hOKriUULTuML PfllNTEHS. HAKNISIURS, IX 
