CHAPTER VII 
GHENT AND MOLLIS AZALEAS 
The race of hardy Rhododendrons popularly known as 
Ghent Azaleas is cultivated in Belgium, Holland, Ger- 
many, and in several nurseries in England, particularly 
Mr. Waterer's, Knap Hill, Surrey, and Messrs. R. & G. 
Cuthberfs, Southgate, Middlesex. At Knap Hill there are 
numerous very large bushes of the species, and of course 
there is the fine collection in the Arboretum at Kew. In 
the garden they are most effective when planted in masses, 
their flowers in June being lovely in their varied colours, 
and they are delightfully fragrant. They resemble other 
sections of the genus in their objection to lime and in their 
love of moisture. They are all deciduous, but before the 
leaves fall they change to rich brown and crimson colours, 
and they will live and thrive for many years where the 
conditions are to their liking. 
Hundreds of thousands of these Azaleas are forced into 
flower in early spring, many of them being used for room 
decoration, a purpose for which they are well adapted if 
the flowers are first gummed so that they cannot be shaken 
off. They force quickly into flower, the plants being placed 
close together in a hot, moist house, and heavily shaded 
until the flowers expand, when they are exposed to full 
light to develop the colours. That Ghent Azaleas have 
been popular in English gardens for many years is evident 
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