Plate 206 . 
RHODODENDRON, PRINCESS ALICE. 
Amongst the many beautiful varieties of Rhododendron, none 
has been more coveted for the size of its flowers and for the 
richness of its perfume than B. Edgeworthii , and therefore it is 
not surprising that hybridizers have attempted to use it for the 
purpose of producing free-flowering plants of dwarf habit. 
It was not likely that horticulturists so successful as the 
Messrs. Veitch would omit such an opportunity, and they have 
consequently, by crossing B. Edgeworthii with B. ciliatum , been 
enabled to obtain the very beautiful variety which we now 
figure, Princess Alice , and which has been very largely exhibited 
by them, during the last two years, at the various horticultural 
exhibitions held in the metropolis. We were particularly struck 
with some small plants, from nine to twelve inches high, which 
were exhibited by them at the Royal Botanic Society during 
the present season, and had all of them a fine head of bloom ; 
this, for small greenhouses and conservatories, will make them 
very effective plants, while the delicacy of their perfume adds 
an additional charm to them. 
It will be seen that the flowers of this fine variety are large, 
and, when fully expanded, pure white; when they first open 
there is a faint pink tinge on them, which, however, gradually 
fades away. The tip of the bud, when unexpanded, is bright 
rosy-pink, and affords a pretty contrast to the pure white of the 
open flowers. The plant has been awarded a first-class certifi¬ 
cate wherever exhibited. 
There is little that can be added to what has been already 
given with regard to the cultivation of these greenhouse varie¬ 
ties of the Rhododendron. The cooler they are kept, so as to 
be free from frost, the better will they succeed; and we are in- 
