^KELSEY’S HARDY AMERICAN PLANTS 
V^j 3 rr°h>n in the Carolina ^fountains at 3800feet elehation 
HARDY AMERICAN RHODODENDRONS, continued 
Rhododendron maximum, continued. . 
uriance as to form a striking feature in the mountain landscape. Its large waxy white or deli¬ 
cately pink flowers appear in large trusses in July, the latest of all the Rhododendrons, greatly 
enhancing its ornamental value as a broad-leaved evergreen for finished landscape effect. Our 
nursery-grown stock of Rhododendron maximum includes over 50,000 bushy plants and clumps 
with balls, while we collect car-load lots of large clumps from special sources in the Pennsylvania 
Mountains and the Carolina Mountains. It attains a height of 30 to 40 feet in our Carolina 
Mountains. 
RHODODENDRON CATAWBIENSE, the true species of the Carolina Mountains, is the hardiest 
Rhododendron known. It is this magnificent Rhododendron that over a hundred years ago was 
introduced into Europe, supplying color and hardy blood to the cultivated “hybrids,” but with a 
consequent loss of hardiness; and so today, for American gardens where ironclad hardiness is 
essential, we must turn to the true original species, found only on the highest, coldest peaks of the 
Southern Alleghanies. Unlike Rhododendron maximum , it is a very free bloomer, with foliage of 
a dark, rich, lasting green, which never rusts. The trusses are a bright red-purple, in marked con¬ 
trast to the muddy purple of the semi-hardy half-breed imported variety, and, as sent out by High¬ 
lands Nursery, they are always on their own roots. Considering its extreme hardiness, brilliancy 
of flower, compact growth and remarkable texture of foliage, v/e can unhesitatingly recommend 
the native Rhododendron catawbiense as the finest of all Rhododendrons for general use, with¬ 
standing successfully exposure and extremes of temperature where other Rhododendrons fail. Co 
not confuse this true species, which is absolutely haidy, with the common so-called catawbiense 
seedlings so freely imported from Europe, which is at best a half-hardy hybrid, and, even when 
branched above, is a single stem, showing bareness underneath for years. For massing to produce 
broad-leaved evergreen landscape effect there is no plant equal to it in the latitude of the northern 
United States and Canada, where strictly hardy plants must be employed. For use in plantations 
with Rhododendron maximum and Kalmia latifolia , the value of Rhododendron catawbiense 
cannot be overestimated. Reaches 20 feet in height in the Alleghanies. 
RHODODENDRON PUNCTATUM. This is the smallest Alleghanian species, though it often at¬ 
tains a height of 15 feet, and is wide-spreading. It. is a very graceful shrub, with a totally differ¬ 
ent aspect from the two species described above. The leaves are dark green, rather blunt and 
narrow, covered with rusty dots below, and much smaller than either maximum or catawbiense, as 
shown in the comparative illustration on page 1. Its flower-clusters appear in the greatest profu¬ 
sion in June, literally covering the plant with a pink or rose-colored mantle. Fine for rocky slopes 
or hillsides, standing exposure unusually well and invaluable as a single specimen or for massing 
with the other species. 
HYBRID RHODODENDRONS. Having had a continued call for the hardier varieties of Hybrid Rhododen¬ 
drons for use in planting with our native species, I have imported a fine lot of the best ones. By growing 
several seasons in nursery under favorable conditions I have acclimated them, and the stock I send out is as 
reliable as can be had. With careful protection, gorgeous effects in many colors may be obtained. 
RHODODENDRON forruginoum and R. hirsutum. 2 to 5 ft. Two fine hardy European species (not hy¬ 
brids) of compact, growth and masses of small bright pink flowers. Of great value for the rock-garden and 
for planting with other Rhododendrons. They difTer but little in general appearance, but the leaves and 
twigs of hirsutum are quite hairy. 
KALMIAS 
KALMIA LATIFOLIA. The Mountain Laurel. One of the grandest of our native broad-leaved 
evergreen shrubs is the Mountain Laurel, often attaining tree-like proportions in our southern 
mountains. In cultivation it is a broad, thick shrub, and when in full bloom is of surpassing 
jeauty. The wheel-shaped flowers are set in close corymbs on the ends of the stems, pure white 
to pink, and appear in May or June in such profusion as to almost smother the foliage. Its thick 
shiny leaves are conspicuous the year round, making it a shrub of greatest value for massing, and 
giving a striking evergreen effect. The hardiness of Kalmia latifolia is beyond doubt, it being 
found sparingly in Nova Scotia and increasing in abundance through New England and the middle 
Atlantic States (particularly in the higher altitudes) till the crest of the Southern Alleghanies is 
reached, wherein the true American home of the broad-leaved Ericaceae , perfect conditions of soil 
and climate arc found, producing such a luxuriance of growth as to form veritable jungles of gor¬ 
geous beauty, miles in extent. It is found, strange to say, much further south, throughout South 
Carolina, into Georgia, and is even reported in northern Florida along the banks of streams and 
cypress swamps. This proves it to be a plant that will stand almost semi-tropical conditions as 
well as extreme cold. It is, therefore, an extremely valuable plant for the southern states, taking 
its place with the magnificent Indian Azaleas, which are not hardy in the North. 
KALMIA aiigustifollu. Dwarf Laurel. 1 to 3 ft. A charming dwarf sort of the same general habitat as th 
ronmw speolos, forming dense, low clumps, which in very early spring are covered with showy clusters o 
wheel-shaped, deep rose-colored llowers. 
gluuoa. Dale Laurel. 1 to 2 ft. Larger flowers than last species; crimson-purple and verv showv. Botl 
glauea and angnstifolin are invaluable for borders of the rhododendron bed. 
Note especially our arraiiRomont of Descriptive Matter and Price-List, which for convenience 
uro entirely separate, the Price-List being on colored paper. Please use printed Order Sheet 
in ordering, when possible to do so. 
4 
