2 
VAN VEEN NURSERY 
RHODODENDRONS — AZALEAS 
SOIL AND LOCATION 
The first question that anyone who wants to start the 
cultivation of Rhododendrons or Azaleas should ask him¬ 
self, is whether the soil of his garden is suitable to those 
plants. 
There is only one substance whose presence in any quan¬ 
tity in the soil can be said to render their cultivation im¬ 
possible, and that is lime, which is alkaline. Practically 
every other soil, by means of labor and the addition of 
fertilizing material, can be made to suit them. In a state of 
nature these shrubs appear most frequently to inhabit 
regions possessing a peaty soil, but there is no doubt that a 
light, sandy, well-drained loam meets their needs as well, 
if not better. 
In trying to follow nature as a guide it is well to remember 
that plants cannot always secure the soil or situations best 
suited to them. In the struggle for existence they most often 
adapt themselves to what they get. We may see some very 
fine Rhododendrons growing in other than peaty soil. I only 
mention this to support my belief that it is not necessary 
to imitate nature too closely. 
The most difficult soil to adopt to growing Rhododendrons 
is one of a heavy clayey nature; one that gets cold and wet 
in winter and hard and subject to cracking in summer. 
Such a soil must be trenched to a depth of two feet and 
thoroughly broken up, adding well decayed leaves, peat, 
sandy soil or any other material available which may help 
to lighten it. 
Stagnant water is fatal to Rhododendrons and must be 
drained if the surplus water does not readily get away. 
A dry hot soil—one of a light sandy nature lying on a 
gravelly sub-soil—is also in need of improvement before it 
is fit for many of the better Rhododendrons. 
On such a spot the aim should be to provide a soil, to a 
depth of about 2 feet, of a nature which will not lose its 
moisture too quickly, for there is nothing (with the exception 
of a limey or alkaline soil) which Rhododendrons detest 
more than dryness at the roots. To improve such a soil will 
depend much on circumstances. It should be turned over 
to the required depth, and anything in the nature of a hard 
pan beneath thoroughly broken up. Even if nothing can be 
added to improve its quality, the mere stirring up of the 
soil will quickly increase its capacity to retain moisture. 
Soil of a sounder, somewhat heavier nature may be 
obtained and mixed with the lighter one. The addition of 
well-decayed leaves is always an advantage. There is 
nothing a Rhododendron likes better. 
It may here be mentioned that when planting Rhodo¬ 
dendrons a very important point is to make the soil abso¬ 
lutely firm about the roots. The lighter the soil, the firmer 
it should be made. 
As to soil conditions, I hope I have made it clear that— 
providing lime is absent—there are few soils that cannot be 
made to suit at least the more vigorous kinds of Rhododen¬ 
drons and Azaleas. A few species of Rhododendrons will 
succeed on limey soil, but these are very rare. 
After the question of soil, the position in the garden best 
fitted for Rhododendrons is the matter to be considered. 
