B^fjotiobenbron ^ocietp i^oteg 
There are a certain number of the newer rhododendrons from Central China 
here, but they are many of them still small, and I am not in a position yet to say 
much about them, except that as far as foliage is concerned, some of them seem 
to be very remarkable and beautiful, and will, undoubtedly, be a great and 
pleasing addition to our garden in future. Some species of this group, introduced 
earlier, like Rh. sutchuense, flower in March, when we are troubled with 
spring frosts, and in consequence I have but an imperfect knowledge of the 
bloom, but as the plants grow it is to be hoped that the inconvenience may 
diminish, and I have seen enough to make me anxious for a good view of these 
plants in their full dress. Rh. Augustinii flowers later, and this is a happy 
circumstance, as I look upon it as quite one of the best that have come to us 
from Central China. 
Some few years ago I got Rh. cephalanthum from Messrs. Seidel, from near 
Dresden. It is a very desirable little species, somewhat after the nature of 
Rh. anthopogon, but differing from it both in flower, which is pure white, 
and in leaf. I do not know where else it can be got, and if, as I am led to 
believe, it is rare in cultivation, it is to be feared we are not likely to get it again, 
at least from Germany. It is to be hoped we may obtain seed from it. 
One of the best plants here is a specimen of Rh. griffithianum, which is 
now thirteen feet high, and the same through, and this is really a fine sight in the 
flowering season, and also when the young growth appears upon the plant. The 
bloom is well known, like a cluster of great lilies with a slight aromatic scent arid 
more beautiful by far I think than any of the numerous hybrids which have been 
raised from it, and which are so justly esteemed. We had a good deal of trouble 
with this plant when it was first put out and when it was some three feet high. 
Though placed in a sheltered dell our springs were too harsh, and it was repeatedly 
injured. We then put a sort of muslin tent over it from, say, February to May, 
and gradually it increased in size and in vigour, and when it got some six or 
seven feet high it was quite strong enough to fend for itself. It is now left 
without any covering of any sort, and it flowers regularly and plentifully. 
Rh. Maddeni and its two varieties, calophyllum and Jenkinsii, live here 
very happily. I have not had the type for long, and it is still small, but the 
varieties have been here longer and give out their sweet scent when in flower. 
Rh. camelliaflorum is another of my special favourites, and so is Rh. 
lepidotum. There are also some of the Edgeworth hybrids that seem quite at 
home, and I may mention that Rh. Shilsoni (barbatum x Thomsoni), 
flowered here for the first time last year. 
I am interested in two rhododendrons which appear to be somewhat alike, 
and I am not sure whether they are different species or not; they are, however, 
not the same thing, and they may be only varieties of the same species. One 
was bought under the name of Rh. kingianum, which comes from Manipur, 
and the other was raised from seed that came from Ceylon, under the name of 
Rh. zeylanicum (or more properly Rh. Rollissonii). The leaves of these 
two plants are very similar, but quite distinct from any other rhododendron I 
have seen. I do not know if these two species resemble each other, and, 
therefore, whether my Rh. Kingianum is true to name or not. 
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