July 2, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
539 
Round the Nurseries. 
Messrs. Waterer’s Rhododendrons. 
For some years past, during the month of June', Messrs. 
John Waterer and Sons, Limited, the American Nursery, Bag- 
shot, Surrey, ha,ve had a splendid exhibit of Rhododendrons in 
a specially constructed situation under canvas in the gardens 
of the Royal Botanic Society, London. We have on previous 
occasions witnessed the display of Rhododendrons made by 
the firm in those gardens, but we have never seen them finer 
than on this occasion. The site reminds us of the large cir¬ 
cular marquee which used to house the big summer shows of 
the Royal Botanic Society, only it is located in another part, 
of the garden surrounded by trees. When the visitor finds, 
himself inside, or even in the neighbourhood, he or site can 
readily imagine himself or herself in a rural district, remote 
from London, this being due to the seclusion produced by the 
Soniferous .condition during the middle of June, as they had 
been for some, time previously. 
The central bed contained several specimens of the mag¬ 
nificent new variety Pink Pearl, but we single out one specimen 
of the variety in order to show the details of the magnificent 
flower. - One truss would measure 6 in. to 9 in. across, while 
the individual blooms varied from -1 in. to 5 in. in width. 
The massive corolla is of a beautiful pearl-pink, with a group 
of brownish-red spots on the upper segments. Each truss 
would be made up from twelve to-sixteen flowers, and these 
remarks apply to the small plants, we have under consideration. 
There can be no doubt that this splendid variety has taken 
the British public by surprise, and will be very extensively 
cultivated in the near future, notwithstanding what Messrs. 
Waterer may have in store, for us. in. the way of new varieties 
on the same lines. We have seen much larger plants than that 
represented in our smaller photograph, and we are. also certain 
that the largest ones were not brought up to London. Owing 
Messes. John Waterer and Sons’ Rhododendrons at Regent’s Park, 
to the immense, size of the flowers, planters would do well to 
select, a situation well sheltered from wind, but otherwise fully 
exposed to the light and air, so. that the immense flowers may 
net get damaged during gales. 
Amongst a selection that might be made Cynthia is one of 
the best all-round varieties, owing to the brightness of its rosy- 
crimson flowers, its freedom of flowering, and reliability. The 
Duke of Connaught is a. new variety with rosy-crimson flowers 
and a light centre. Those in search of novelties should also 
find a place for Comer Waterer, which has white flowers, 
slightly tinted with blush, and produced in enormous trusses. 
Mrs. E. C. Stirling and Marquis of Waterford are also novelties, 
the last-named having rich pink flowers, fading to a lighter hue 
in the centre, arid light-coloured varieties being veiy acceptable 
to most admirers of - this class of plants, it is well worthy of 
a place in the collection. 
White varieties, are not overlooked, and amongst, older 
varieties the Queen, with white flowers, makes a very attractive 
plant. Another beautiful white variety is ‘ Mum," forming a 
contrast with its lemon eye. The blooms are also produced 
trees, and more especially when the visitor is inside the canvas. 
Messrs. Waterer’s Rhododendrons having occupied the same 
situation for the same month for several years past, the London 
public have come to. expect them and visit the marquee in 
large numbers. 
As the plants are intended to occupy the same situation for 
Jo. long a period, they are planted out in prepared beds of 
JOil, so they appear quite natural and as if they formed part of 
1 private establishment. The central bed alone is made up of 
pot plants, and on this, occasion it contained a large number of 
eery choice kinds. Our intention on this occasion is merely to 
record some, of the best of Messrs. Waterer’s very extensive 
’ollection of this hardy race of flowering shrubs. 
Our illustration shows the central bed in the foreground of 
die picture, and the. reader merely catches glimpses of some 
if the other beds under the canvas, but as the attention of the 
photographer was directed especially upon one bed to show 
the floriferous character of the plants the picture cannot give 
iny adequate idea of the extent of the collection. The beds 
Keie arranged all round the central one, and all were in a most 
