SUITABLE FOR GARDENS 
5 
People hold certain views, have certain beliefs, because 
their parents held them ; or they see no reason for change 
because they have never looked for one. In like manner, 
and for the same reason, gardens are made and planted with 
the same old stagers — Laurel, Privet, Aucuba, Cupressus, 
and a few others, with a Rose or two and perhaps a Lilac 
and Mock Orange for flowers. Not bad plants in them- 
selves, but they are poor makeshifts as furniture for a 
present-day garden. 
Rhododendrons, as grown by the nurserymen who 
specialise in them, are the perfection of flowering shrubs. 
There is more to be said in favour of collections of them in 
those gardens where the conditions are suitable for such 
plants, than there is for collections of any other hardy 
shrubs, except perhaps Roses ; and for some reasons one 
might even omit that exception. When it is understood 
that for its size the Rhododendron is satisfied with less 
attention and yields a great deal more pleasure than any 
other shrub grown, tender as well as hardy, we may expect 
to see more attention paid to it. The great displays made 
every year in London by the Messrs. Waterer, and in the 
Royal Gardens, Kew, do not, it is to be feared, convey to 
those who see them the truth with respect to Rhodo- 
dendrons as garden plants. Too many people still be- 
lieve that only under very exceptional conditions, and with 
special cultural skill, can the good Rhododendrons be grown 
successfully. It is not many years since it was realised that 
the natural soil and conditions at Kew were suitable for 
them. The best advice that can be given to those who 
have not tested their gardens and parks for Rhododendrons 
is to plant a few of them in a suitable position and note 
their behaviour. 
