l^botiobentiron ^ottetp ^otes;. 
NOTES ON CHINESE RHODODENDRONS AS GROWN IN CORNWALL. 
I propose to again give my present impressions on the garden value of some 
of the species of Chinese rhododendrons lately introduced, but must repeat that 
these impressions are in many cases the result of a very limited experience of 
.the plants. 
R. Bullatum seems to be of a rather more compact habit and to have larger 
flowers than its kinsman, R. Edgworthii, and as a garden plant it seems to be 
rather hardier. It much resents excessive moisture at the root. It shoots 
freely if cut back hard at the right season. 
R. CALLiMORPHUM, apparently a dwarf and compact bush with truss of small 
campanulate bells which are a pleasant shade of pink. It appears to be easy of 
CTiltivation. To me this is a most attractive plant, though not of the highest class. 
R. CRASSUM is one of the Chinese forms of the Maddenii series so abl}' 
described by Mr. Hutchinson. The flowers are white with yellow blotch, the 
plant is a free grower and at any rate hardy in Cornwall. 
R. Fargesii, a bush of medium size, and apparently easy of cultivation. It 
is a free bloomer, the truss is loose, the flowers, about 2 | inches across, are usually 
a shade of pink ; they show great resistance to frost. The flower and dull grey 
leaf are a very pretty combination. 
R. Fortunei Series. For length of flowering season, for truss, for substance, 
and for general value to the hybridiser this series will probably prove of greater 
value than any other. Wilson’s forms for late flowering and Forrest’s forms for 
substance and truss are alike remarkable. They have one common weakness, 
they show the result of heavy rain or of a bumble bee’s visit by a brown bruise 
in a far greater degree than I have noticed with any other havd)'^ rhododendron. 
R. H^MATODES. This may prove to be a most popular rhododendron. It 
is of dwarf and spreading habit, the leaf has a thick brown tomentum, and the 
flowers, which promise to open late in the season, are bright scarlet. In Cornwall 
it does not seem to be a plant easy of cultivation, but it does not follow that it will 
not prove a good plant in other parts of England. Apparently it is perfectly hardy. 
R. MACULiFERUM. A Small slirub with loose truss of pale pink to white, 
campanulate bells with crimson spot, the buds are pink before opening. It 
flowers in April. As a woodland plant it shows great refinement when in bloom 
by itself, but it undoubtedly requires isolation. 
R. MICRANTHUM. A bushy plant of medium size. The very small ivory 
white flowers are freely produced in many flowered trusses, and when they are 
open the plant closely resembles a Ledum. 
R. NERiiFLORUM. There seems to be two forms, one being of a spreading and 
the other of a more upright habit. The truss is loose, but the flowers and also 
the calyx are in some cases a remarkable shade of tomato-red and very striking. 
I consider this plant for garden effect likely to prove itself one of the most valuable 
of Forrest’s discoveries. It flowers in May and seems easy of cultivation. 
R. ORBICULARE. When well-grown, this is a most striking plant, both in 
flower and out of flower. It is of flat spreading habit as far as my experience 
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