June 27, 1908. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
425 
tyhododendrons at Hegent’s Park. 
Last week we paid a visit to the gardens 
f the Royal Botanic Society, London, 
ith the object of inspecting the grand 
xhibition of Rhododendrons made solely 
y Messrs. John Waterer and Sons, Ltd., 
he American Nursery, Bagshot, Surrey, 
une is said to be the month of Roses, 
ut that is chiefly due to the poets. June 
the month for Rhododendrons in most 
arts of this island. In some parts of the 
auntry certain varieties of Rhododen- 
rons may be seen in bloom at practically 
ny period of the year, but most of those 
ery early or very late varieties owe their 
xistence to the Himalayan types, which 
re hardy only in the more favoured parts 
f Britain. The chief floral display in 
une is produced by R. ponticum from 
.sia Minor and R. catawbiense from the 
igh mountains of the United States, Tun¬ 
ing from Virginia to Georgia. Since 
le introduction of the last named species 
le two have been extensively hybridised 
ir many years past, and a large series 
f very beautiful varieties is the result, 
'hese bloom regularly in June, being 
imewhat later this year, but, neverthe- 
iss, they constitute the glory of the gar- 
en during June. 
The grand display in Regent’s Park 
ontains over two thousand plants, rang- 
lg from 2 ft. to 10 ft. in height, and in- 
lude something like two hundred varie- 
es. A large proportion of these -were 
ug out of the ground and replanted at 
.egent’s Park, while one or two beds are 
lied with pot plants. It is reckoned 
rat about fifty thousand blooms are open 
t one time. As the earlier ones go over 
lev will be replaced more or less by 
thers, particularly those in pots. -Those 
ho are fond of Rhododendrons could 
ot do better than visit the gardens, where 
ley will have the opportunity of com¬ 
aring this immense number of varieties, 
11 got together in one large marquee. 
To matter what the weather may be, it 
ill be possible to inspect the Rhododen- 
rons under cover. 
We passed round the various beds and 
orders of this huge marquee, and made 
totes of the best varieties, including as 
reat a variation as possible in the mat- 
:r of colour and size of bloom. Amongst 
le newer varieties very chaste and hand- 
ime were the large flowers of Lady Cle- 
tentina Walsh. The flowers may be 
sescribed as soft blush-pink, nearly white 
1 the centre, with a cluster of yellow 
lotches on the upper segments. Our 
lustration will give some idea of the 
owers of this handsome variety. A very 
elicate colour is that named Delicatissi- 
lum, with soft white flowers delicately 
nted with pink. Another pleasing 
ariety is Concessum, the flowers of which 
re distinctly edged with bright rose, pas- 
ng to a lighter hue in the centre. Half 
re charm of Everestianum is the. wavy 
havacter of the flowers, giving a pleas- 
rg effect to their rosv lilac hue. It is 
p free that the bushes get completely 
overed with bloom. 
A faint pink variety named Butleria- 
um is characterised by a large cluster 
f orange spots on the upper part of the 
ower. This feature is even better con- 
A TOWN EXHIBITION. . . 
trasted both as to the light and dark col¬ 
ours in Francis B. Hayes, which has white 
flowers tinted with blush and a large 
three-lobed crimson blotch, made up of 
black spots and shading. At a short dis¬ 
tance off this fine flower bears no incon¬ 
siderable resemblance to a Pelargonium. 
Several plants of this were dotted about 
the marquee, but one large specimen in 
a tub was quite a picture, and attracted 
the eye from a great distance. We had two 
trusses of this photographed, to which 
readers may refer and get some idea of 
the outstanding beauty of this bold and 
handsome variety. We have on former 
occasions been taken with the beauty of 
Gomer Waterer, which has huge flowers 
arranged in an enormous truss. They 
are white, lightly tinted with blush, but 
at a short distance appear almost white. 
It is very difficult to get good pure 
white Rhododendrons, but several of 
them are so near this hue that they can 
. be taken for white varieties a short dis¬ 
tance away. One of these is named 
Queen, the flowers being blush-white. 
Amongst the blotched varieties, few are 
more handsome than Sappho, which has 
a large cluster of black spots on the 
upper side of the beautiful white flower. 
This might readily be compared with 
Francis B. Hayes, and it will be seen that 
the cluster of black spots in this one is 
rather smaller and of a different shape, 
while the white ground is purer. The 
trusses are of considerable depth, and a 
large plant of this in full bloom is a 
highly conspicuous object for the garden 
or pleasure grounds. Altogether different 
in its way are the delicate pink flowers 
of Strategist. Another chaste and beauti¬ 
ful variety is Lady Hillingdon, with 
pearly white flowers. Equally captiva¬ 
ting are the clear white flowers of Mme. 
Carvalho, which have a cluster of green¬ 
ish spots on the upper side of the flower, 
these serving to set off the white ground. 
Very much darker is Marchioness of 
Lansdowne, which has rose coloured 
flowers thickly spotted with black, form¬ 
ing a large cluster. The predominant 
hue of Marquis of Waterford is bright 
pink, but this gives place to a paler hue 
in the centre. Another very handsome 
variety is Minnie, which has blush white 
flowers with a large blotch of orange spots 
on the upper side of the flowers. These 
are produced in a long conical truss and 
highly effective. 
For some years Mrs. John Clutton has 
been a great favourite with many as a 
white variety, and though attractive both 
on close inspection and at a distance, the 
flowers are smaller than those of Gomer 
Waterer. We have already mentioned a 
Rhododendron Lady Clementina Walsh. Maclaren and Sons. 
