Kelsey's 
Hardy American Plants 
HARDY NATIVE SHRUBS • DECIDUOUS, Con. 
ARONIA arbutifolia ( erythrocarpa ). Red Chokeberry. 2-12 ft. Of larger growth than 
preceding, with splendid bright red berries. An elegant shrub. 2-3 ft., 20c. ea., 
$1.50 for 10; 3-5 ft., 40c. ea., §3 for 10. 
ASCYRUM hypericoides. St. Andrew’s Cross. 5-10 in. Decumbent species, dotted 
leaves and light yellow flowers July to September. Shrub border. 6-12 in. 15c. ea., 
Si.25 for 10. 
NATIVE AZALEAS 
The American Azaleas are among the choicest of all ornamentals, whether exotics or 
native, and were but rarely seen in cultivation before being disseminated by Highlands 
Nursery. Large masses of” Great Flame-Colored Azalea,” A. lutea ( calendulacea ), when 
seen in flower, present the most gorgeous effects, in shades varying from deep crimson to a 
bright sulphur-yellow. The complete hardiness of all the species below is unquestionable. 
The foliage of A. arborescens is the finest of all Azaleas, remaining a clear, shiny green 
throughout the summer, a characteristic not usual with this family. The large white, 
sweet-scented flowers appear the last of all the Azaleas, and the numerous pink-tipped 
stamens protruding give a most beautiful effect. Azalea vaseyi is one of the finest 
introductions of late years, the white to deep pink flowers appearing before the foliage in 
April in the greatest profusion. A. iiudijlora and A. c viscosa are pretty dwarfer varieties 
very useful in the under shrubbery. 
Azaleas are seen at their best when planted in large masses and in properly prepared beds, 
and they richly repay any unusual care given them. Like most ericaceous plants they love 
deep, moist, well-drained soil, and these showy native species are particularly adapted to 
planting in shrub borders and with rhododendrons, their brilliant blossoms being set off by 
a background of dark foliage. Azaleas can be successfully grown almost anywhere, even 
in the north middle states if excavations are made and proper soil with abundant humus is 
filled in, say 2 to 3 feet or more deep, and preferably a northern exposure chosen with 
shade. Mulch heavily in winter. 
Our cold southern mountains have added no more beautiful plants to gardens than 
these American Azaleas, not even excepting the magnificent broad-leaved evergreen Rho¬ 
dodendrons which have given the southern Alleghanies a world-wide fame. The beautiful 
Uihodora (page 25), is really an Azalea except in name and should be treated the same 
as the following species: 
AZALEA arborescens. Fragrant White Azalea. 8-20 ft. In June the delightfully 
spicy fragrant white flowers appear in profusion, lasting for weeks; usually 2 to 6 feet 
spreading clumps in cultivation; easy culture. Leaves often color striking shades of 
red in late autumn. 6-12 in., 30c. ea., $2.50 for 10; 12-18 in., 45c., ea., £4 for 
10; 18-24 in., 65c. ea., £6 for 10. 
arborescens rosea. 8-20 ft. Beautiful and rare form, with bright pink fragrant flowers. 
Introduced by us. Stock limited and orders filled in rotation only. Clumps, £12 ea! 
lutea ( calendulacea ). Great Flame Azalea. 4" * I * 5 ft* The most regal of all the 
species, native or exotic, and a noble representative of our rich Carolina Mountain 
r/;?: Hartram. speaking of it in his "Travels,” calls it the "fiery Azalea,” and says* 
1 Ins epithet Fiery I annex to this most celebrated species of Azalea as being expres¬ 
sive of the appearance of its flowers, which are in general of the color of the finest red 
lead, orange and bright gold as well as yellow and cream color. This is certainly the 
most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known.” 6-12 in., 20c. ea., Si co for io- 
12-18 in., 30c. ea., for 10; 18-24 *n., 40c. ea., $3 for 10. 5 * 
nudiflora. Pinxter Flower. 2-10 ft. Smaller species, with showy deep pink flowers in 
April and May, while quite bare of leaves. Stands sun and exposure well. 6-12 in 
20c. ea *1.50 for to; 12-18 in 35c. ea., $ 3 for ,0; 18-24 in., 50c. ea., $4 for io! 
vaseyi. Southern Azalea. 6-15 ft. This elegant and showy Azalea was only dis¬ 
covered as late as 1878, and introduced by Highlands Nursery very soon after. It 
is of easy culture and is perhaps the most profuse bloomer of all the native species 
and the more conspicuous as its white, pink or deep rose-colored flowers appear in 
early April or May before the foliage. Of erect, slender habit naturally, in culti¬ 
vation it becomes more spreading while retaining the charming light stem growth. 
USll ^i y T" 9 thc - Icavcs a , dee P dark crimson, greatly enhancing its beauty 
and value. Thc larger sizes are clumps with buds. 6-12 in., 25c. ea., $2 for io- 
12-18 in., 3jc. ca., £3 for io; 18-24 in., 45c. ea , £3.75 for 10: 2-7 ft 7cc ea £7 
for 10; 3-4 ft., £1 ca., ? 9 for io. (See illustration.) ’ 3 * ’ 75 ’ * 7 
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