THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
99 
CULTURE OF RHODODENDRONS 
By Alex. Robertson, New York 
/^ROWING under natural conditions in the nioun- 
^^ tains our native Rhododendrons thrive in an at- 
mosphere of cool forest-fresh air, surcharged with mois- 
ture. 
In the British Isles, where the hyhrid varieties display 
their gorg'eous colors, we find again a climate that is pre- 
vailingly moist and where the nights are usually cool. 
If we would attain the greatest success with these won- 
derful plants, than which nothing is more beautiful in 
blossom, and which, during all the seasons of the year, 
possess an infinite charm of rich green foliage, we should 
bear the following points in mind : Rhododendrons 
thrive best in masses, the shade of one j)lant benefiting 
and protecting the other. The groups should l)e arranged 
so as to have natural or artificial protection from tlie 
prevailing inclement winds of winter and early spring. 
The Rhododendron is a surface rooted ])lant ; keep the 
surface of the ground under the plants thickly nuilched 
with rotted leaves to a sufficient depth to keep the ground 
still cool and moist during the hottest summer weather. 
In dry weather the beds should be thoroughly soaked 
with water. Pinch off all seed pods after flowering, in 
order to get good buds for next season. In the fall 
mulch the beds a foot or more with leaves, and if these 
can be left to decay it is advisable to do so. Rhododen- 
drons will not grow well in a limestone soil, and if this 
condition exists it must be rectified by the use of peat 
or leaf-mould. In exposed situations in winter a wind- 
break of some simple sort should be erected to break the 
full force of the wind, as the strong winds of winter 
break and disfigure the plants. Rhododendrons are well 
worth cultivating, as they lend both beauty and richness 
to an estate. There are so many varieties and hybrids 
that the most critical can be suited. I prefer the planting 
of home grown stock, as the imported plants do not 
stand our hot summers well and generally there are a lot 
of deaths among them the first year after being planted. 
The species most commonly used are our native ones, 
R. Catawbiense and R. Maximum. The latter is hardy 
farther north than the former, but both are quite hardy 
ir; the New England states. Catawbiense differs from 
Maximum mainly in that it makes a better specimen, 
ri'imder, and well furnished with foliage: tlie flowers are 
K/uHiiniL-iuirnii Culai^bu-iisc. 
Usually mauve, running to lavender, or lilac purple in 
many cases, and are carried in conical trusses ; the leaves 
are oval, rounded at base, 3 to 5 inches long, rather thick 
ii; texture, and dark green in color, with light green un- 
dersides. Its flowering period is in June. Ma.ximum 
is not quite of such good form as Catawbiense, less 
regular in shape, and bears flattish trusses of flowers, in 
color varying from purest white with tinges of pink or 
yellow, to clear pink, and all blotched with a deeper 
shade on the upper lobe of each flower. The leaves are 
longer and narrower than those of Catawbiense, bright 
green, lighter beneath, and often tinged with brown. It 
flowers in July, and is, practically, the last of all the 
Rliododendrons to bloom. This species is very largely 
used for planting in masses. 
.-/ Mass PUiiiti)iii of Rhododendron Ma.viinuin. 
