Cbe wational 1Rnr8er))inan. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK 
The National Nurseryman Publishing Co., Incorporated 
Vol. XXXII_HATBORO, PENN A., APRIL 1924_No. 4 
Broad-Leaved Evergreen Shrubs 
If it were appropriate to apply the word “aristocratie” 
to plants, the group that is usually known as Broad¬ 
leaved Evergreens w ould certainly he entitled to it. 
However much we may love the commoner garden 
favorites, we have to admit “the class” that distinguishes 
the Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurel, Heaths, Andro- 
medas. Azaleas, Box, Holly, etc., and where we have lo 
plant certain positions around the house and on partieul;!r 
portions of the ground, all others are a poor substitute. 
In localities where they will not thrive, the real landscape 
artist feels their loss. 
The fame of the English gardens is due very largely to 
the broad-leaved evergreens. There the Portugal and 
English Laurel, Holly and Rhododendrons luxuriate in 
the moist, equable climate, and give that dark, rich green 
cheer to the gardens in the w inter. 
While, perhaps, our bright American sun makes it 
somewhat ditlicult to grow" them, a know"ledge of the con¬ 
ditions under w hich they w ill best thrive w ill do much 
to insure success. 
In speaking of a w"hole group of plants, the recommen¬ 
dations must necessarily be very general. Some kinds 
W"ill stand more sun and droutb than others, but, as a 
rule, the essentials are: 
Constant moisture, right to the surface of the giound. 
with good drainage; shelter from dry, fiosty wands in 
w inter, or dry, arid w inds in summer. 
Absence of lime or alkali in soil and water: and, 
Plenty of decaying organic matter for them to feed on, 
such as leaf mold, peat, or rotted sod. 
Diyijig w"inds, either in summer or w"inter, do mor(‘ 
damage than low temperature, as, under proper condi¬ 
tions. zero w eather w ill hurt very few" of them. 
The Rhododendrons are the most important of the 
broad-leaved evergreens. They are a very large family, 
containing many lovely kinds, such as those from North 
India that w"ill not stand the American climate, and, so, 
are only suitable for greenhouse culture in this country. 
So, we shall confine ourselves to the consideration of 
those suitable to American gardens. 
Hvimil) linODODENDRONS 
The hybrid Rhododendrons, in their various colors, 
ranging from w"hite through shades of purple, pink, red 
and crimson, were nearly all imported from Europe be¬ 
fore quarantine No. 7 went into effect. Many kinds aie 
very tender, and only fit for greenhouse culture. They are 
forced in great quantities for Easter decoration; otln'r 
kinds are (}uite hardy and, given the right conditions 
grow splendidly. 
As a rule, the white, pink and purple kinds are the free- 
est growers, the red and crimson not being quite so 
robust. 
Native Rhododendrons 
These are important for foliage and natural effects, 
independent of flow ering qualities. 
liliododendron Catawbiense grows abundantly in the 
mountains of North Carolina. It has loose, rose-colored 
flow"ers, and blooms early—in April and May—both im- 
jioj'tant qualities. It harmonizes w"ell w"ith maximum. 
J{. maxhnum, Rose Ray, has flowers pink in bud,' 
ojiening w"hite. The growth and arrangement of leaves 
are full and free, and usually superior lo hybrids in this 
country. Blooms much later than Cataw"biense—July 
and August. This is the kind that is collected in such 
({uantifies from the woods and mountains, very often to 
die lingering death through ignorance and carelessness. 
They should be planted in masses or clumps for best re¬ 
sults. When handled jiroperly, it is one of the grandest 
plants it is possible to introduce into the home grounds. 
Dwarf Rhododendrons i 
These are but little know"n. They are very pleasing 
and useful. Leaves much smaller than others. 
Rhododendron punctahim. A native species w"ith rose- 
colored flow"ers in May and June. 
/f. ferrugineum. Scailet flowers, with rusty color un ¬ 
derside of leaves. Blooms in earlv summer 
!{. hirsutuni. Pale red, flow ering in early summer. 
These dwarf kinds are fine for jilanling among rocks 
or on the outer edge of groups of the larger grow"ing 
kinds. 
Rhododendron Associates 
The following go well with Rhododendrons: 
Kalmia latifolia, K. angustifolia, Andromeda floribun- 
da, /I. Japoniea, A. (Leurothae) Catesbaei, Azalea anoena, 
.1. Ilino-de-giri, and other new" kinds recently introduced 
from Japan; A. Indica, and the Heaths. 
Kalmia lalifolia, or Mountain Laurel (“Ivory,” as many 
of the colored people call itl. has such a wide distribu¬ 
tion in North America, and is so truly an American 
flower, that its claims as the national flower are many 
and valid. The great English authority on plants, George 
Nicholson, described it as “one of the most useful, ele¬ 
gant and attractive of dwarf tlow"ering shrubs.” While 
it is found thriving on hillsides, it prefers moist places 
to excessive dryness and exposure. 
Kalmia angaslifolia. Sheep’s Laurel, is very pretty, 
but not so desirable as the above. Its leaves are narrow, 
and flowers smaller. Has v"alue in low"er growth and 
earlier tlowering. 
Andromeda florUninda and A. Japoniea are pretty little 
