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RHODODENDRONS AT ROWALLANE, CO. DOWN. 
A few unpretentious notes on certain species of Rhododendrons growing here 
may prove of interest, though neither in the species referred to nor in my obser¬ 
vations on their characteristics will there possibly be much that is new to members 
of the Rhododendron Society generally. 
Amongst species of comparatively recent introduction that have so far 
flowered here, a front-rank position must be assigned to R. neriiflorum. Apart 
even from the scarlet brilliancy of the flowers, its good compact habit and 
apparent hardiness, the plant possesses the further conspicuous merit of starting 
comparatively late into growth, and thus escaping the worst turns of spring 
frost. Moreover, it appears to develop flower-buds freely. Specimens here 
have been placed in various positions, ranging from full south to due north, with 
typical Rhododendron treatment as to soil, and it would appear that the 
healthiest plants are those which are sheltered from the mid-day sun, and 
generally enjoy a cool root-run. 
R. habrotrichujM itself has not as yet flowered here, but amongst seedlings 
raised from imported seed of this species we find a few plants which would 
appear to be natural hybrids between it and R. neriiflorum. The leaf is 
smoother, smaller, and more glaucous on the underside than in typical 
R. HABROTRiCHUM, the hybrid in fact partaking more of R. neriiflorum than 
of R. HABROTRICHUM, though yet amply distinct from the former species. This 
characteristic is further exemplified in the fact that the seedhngs bearing most 
affinity to R. neriiflorum are well set with flower-bud, whereas those of true 
R. HABROTRICHUM show no sign of flower. The bud of the hybrid is globular 
in form and of a dull-red colour, in contrast to the greenish-yellow of 
R. NERIIFLORUM. This matter of hybridity as between R. habrotrichum 
and R. neriiflorum in the one case, and between R. callimorphum and 
R. neriiflorum in the other, has been lucidly and conclusively dealt with by 
Prof. Bayley Balfour, in the January issue of Notes from the Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Edinburgh. There would at all events appear to be a recurrence here 
of characteristics which have been observed elsewhere. 
The typical R. callimorphum is growing happily here under conditions 
very similar to those afforded to R. neriiflorum. This is undoubtedly a 
plant of peculiar charm from the early stages of the opening flower-bud of 
brilliant cherry-red to the fully expanded bell of salmon-pink, and faintly tinged 
with lilac, boldly blotched with crimson. Sturdy specimens on the north side 
of a big rock are developing into beautiful little bushes, symmetrical and com¬ 
pact, and following a fine display last May there is to-day promise of even 
better things next spring. 
In R. Hanceanum we appear to have a plant that represents a stumbling 
block to many a gardener, and bears in consequence a somewhat evil reputation. 
Here it clearly demonstrates its dislike of low-lying sunny positions, and appre¬ 
ciation of a sloping, well-drained bank where little or no sun can reach it, and 
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