B,tobob£nlJron ^ocietp i^otesi, 
THE FORTUNEI GROUP OF RHODODENDRONS. 
Of the numerous species of Rhododendron introduced from China in recent 
times few, if any, promise to be of greater value in gardens generally than those 
belonging to the group of which R. Fortune! (it being the oldest species), may 
be taken as the type. This group is characterized by large, smooth-textured 
leaves, fragrant flowers, and a white or rosy-tinted, seven-lobed corolla. I take 
the species belonging to this group to be :— 
R. 
Fortune! 
R. 
Hemsleyanum 
R. 
HOULSTON!! 
R. 
SEROT!NUM 
R. 
DECORUM 
R. 
VERN!COSUM 
R. 
D!SCOLOR 
R. 
AUR!CULATUM 
In a broader sense the group might be taken to include R. Davidii, 
R. Fargesii, R. oreodoxa and others, but it is the species clustered round 
R. Fortune! itself that I am more concerned with now. R. Hemsleyanum I 
do not believe is in cultivation but all the others mentioned, with the 
possible exception of R. serotinum, are well adapted to the average cHmate of 
the British Isles. 
R. Fortune!, Lindley. 
This Rhododendron was discovered by Robt. Fortune in the mountains west 
of Ningpo.in the province of Chekiang, in Eastern China, and introduced about 
the year 1856. It was named after its discoverer by Lindley (or may be Thos. 
Moore), in the Gardeners’ Chron!CLE for 1859, p. 868. As it had not then 
flowered under cultivation the description was very perfunctory, and published 
chiefly to associate Fortune’s name with the plant before it got abroad in gardens. 
The plants were then growing in the Chiswick nursery of Mr. Glendinning, to 
whom at that period Fortune appears to have been sending his discoveries. A 
note from Fortune is appended to the description which reads as follows :— 
“When on one of my long journeys in the province of Chekiang,! accidentally 
met with this fine species amongst the mountains, about 3,000 feet above the 
level of the sea. The discovery was most unexpected, for although the lower 
parts of the mountains are covered with the allied genus Azalea, no Rhododendron 
had been known to exist in this part of China. The specimens I met were of all 
sizes, from one year’s seedlings to full-grown plants, the latter being 10 to 12 feet 
in height. The large plants had been covered with flower a short time before, 
and the ground under the branches was now strewed with decayed blossoms, but 
not in a fit state for examination. I was told on all sides by the natives that the 
plants were most beautiful objects when in full bloom. When I returned to the 
same place in the autumn I found an abundance of ripe seed which has vegetated 
freely in Mr. Glendinning’s nursery. The only other species of Rhododendron 
Icnown in China is R. Champ!ONAE, Hooker, a pretty plant, discovered by the 
lamented Col. Champion on the Hong Kong hills.’’ 
187 
