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WAR 2 5 194^

MAR 2 5 1951 ■

\

\

THE RHODODENDRON

"AMERICAN PLANTS."

THE RHODODENDRON

"AMERICAN PLANTS."

A TREATISE ON THE CULTURE, PROPAGATION, AND
SPECIES OF THE RHODODENDRON;

CULTURAL NOTES UPON OTHEK PLANTS WHICH THRIVE UNDER

LIKE TREAT3IENT, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES AND

varieties; with a chapter upon HERBACEOUS

PLANTS REQUIRING SIMILAR CULTURE,

BT

EDWARD SPRAGUE RAND, JR.,

AUTHOR OF "FLOWEKS FOR THE PAHLOR AXD GARDEN;" "GARDEN FLOWERS;
"BULBS;" " SEVEXTY-FIVE FLOWERS."

BOSTON:
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.

187L

uJ

434.9 (o 5"

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by

EDWARD SPRAGUE RAND, JR.

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

CAMBRIDGE:
PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.

TO

HENRY WINTHKOP SARGENT
H. HOLLIS HUNNEWELL,

TO WHOM A3IERICA>' HOKTICULTUKE IS SO LARGELY INDEBTED,
A>.-D WHO FULLY APPKECIATE THE BEAUTIES OF

" :^mEvirau |3lants,"

THIS VOLUME IS CORDIALLY IXSCRIBED.

c2 0 371

INTRODUCTION,

'T^HE object of the present volume is to introduce
to popular notice a class of plants which, in
England, forms one of the most attractive orna-
ments of the garden. They are commonly known
as " American Plants; " as the earliest known Rho-
dodendrons, the Kalmias, and some of the Azaleas,
are natives of this continent. The name has, how-
ever, been extended to embrace many other plants
that require the same general culture, but which
are not indigenous to America.

It is a singular and most unaccountable fact that
these plants are in this country but little known in
cultivation.

The hillsides, from Massachusetts to Virginia,
are glorious masses of the Mountain Laurel (Kal-
mia) ; and all through the Middle States, and up
the slopes of the AUeghanies, we find thousands of
acres of the Rose Bay, or "Great Laurel" (Rhodo-

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

dendron). Yet seldom is a plant of either to be
found in the garden ! There is a popular belief that
these plants " cannot be cultivated."

In spring we eagerly buy the spicy blossoms of
the May Flower (Epigsea), yet never think we
may have it blooming in perfection in our shrub-
beries.

Popular opinion says it " cannot be grown in
gardens ; " and there we rest, without trying the
experiment.

To show that these plants can be grown as easily
as any others is the purpose in the following'pages.

The species Ave may find wild in our woods are
beautiful enough to merit every attention, but we
are by no means limited to these.

The skill of the hybridist, exercised during a score
of years, has created a wealth of floral beauty in
Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

We may have masses of bloom of almost any
color and shade, and combinations and contrasts
innumerable.

To those who have seen the magnificent displays
of these plants at Wodenethe, the charming resi-
dence of H. W. Sargent, or at Wellesley, the magni-
ficent estate of H. HoUis Hunnewell, no word of
ours in praise of their beauty will be needed.

In our own culture, at Glen Ridge, we have not
been unsuccessful ; and although our experience is

INTRODUCTION. IX

limited to the past ten years, the results have been
so eminently satisfactory as to excite most sanguine
hopes for the future.

Our collection of hybrid varieties of Catawbiense
Rhododendrons is probably larger than any in the
country, and is yearly largely increased for the pur-
pose of experimenting as to their hardiness.

These plants are attractive at all seasons: in
flower they are magnificent, in foliage they excel
any evergreen.

They can be grown as easily as lilacs, and bloom
quite as freely.

In the arrangement of the following pages. Part I.
is purely cultural ; Part II. comprises a list of the
species of Rhododendron, and also a selection of
hybrid Catawbiense varieties. To give a full list of
these latter would be almost impossible : some Eng-
lish catalogTies contain hundreds of varieties, and
often but very few of these will be common to any
two catalogues.

We have in every case, where possible, referred to
a colored illustration of the flower, where one was
to be found in any book generally accessible ; and
have, in the list of books quoted, stated where in
this vicinity they could be found.

Part III. treats of Azaleas, Kalmias, and other
plants which resemble Rhododendrons, and thrive
under similar culture. This list has been extended

X INTRODUCTION.

to include many plants not generally known, and
seldom found in gardens. Of most of these we
write from experience, and can urge their cultiva-
tion. Many are low -growing, and suited for an
undergrowth in shrubberies, or as a covering for
the surface soil in Rhododendron-beds.

All are very desirable, and, if not to be obtained
in this country, can be easily imported with but
little expense.

In Part IV . we have given brief descriptions of
plants which grow well in Rhododendron-beds.

"We would strongly urge their cultivation, as they
add much to the attractions of the shrubbery ; and
thus we are enabled to grow many botanical treas-
ures which never find place in the herbaceous
border.

This chapter is, however, only a condensation of
a portion of a volume on " Herbaceous Plants,"
which we hope soon to lay before the public.

To all who would obtain large floral results, with
but little effort, we would say : " Grow Rhododen-
drons, and other American Plants : they are always
beautiful, pleasing alike in evergreen foliage and in
gorgeous bloom."

Glen Ridge, February, \^1\.

CONTENTS.

Dedication v

Intkoductiox vii

List of Botanical Works referred to ... . xv

PART I.

CULTURE OF THE EHODODENDRON.

CHAPTER L

Preparation of Soil. Planting. Mulching. Manuring. Prun-
ing. Transplanting. Treatment after Flowering. Diseases.
Lisect Enemies. Winter Protection. Lnporting and Pro-
curing Plants. Standard Rhododendrons. Dwarf Rliodo-
dendrons 3-28

CHAPTER n.

Indoor Culture. Rhododendron Houses. Forcing. As Par-
lor Plants 29-32

XU CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III.

Propagation. Layers. Cuttings. Inarcliing. Seed. Hybrid-
ization 33-39

CHAPTER IV.

Comparative Hardiness. Houses for Winter Protection.
Grouping 39-48

PAET II.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron ponticum and varieties. Rhododendron maxi-
mum and varieties. R. dauricum. R. califoruicum. R.
arboreum and varieties. R. albiflorum. R. anthopogon.
R. campanulatum. R. caucasieum and varieties. R. chry-
santhum. R. punctatum. R. hirsutum. R. ferrugineum.
R. lapponicum. R. kamtschaticum. R. chamsecistus. Sikkim
Rhododendrons. R. Dalhousiae. R. barbatum. R. lanci-
folium. R. Wallichii. R. Campbellise. R. Roylii. R.
cinnabarinum. R. elaeagnoides. R. aro-enteum. R. Fal-
coneri. R. vaccinioides. R. niveum. R. obovatum. R.
lepidotum. R. Aucklandii. R. Thomsoni. R. pendulum.
R. pumilum. R. Hodgsoni. R. lanatum. R. glaucum. R.
Maddeni. R. trifiornm. R. setosum. R. Edgeworthi. R.
seruginosum. R. saligneum. R. ciliatum. R. falgens.
R. nivale. R. virgatum. R. Wightii. R. camelliteflorum.
R. candelabrum. R. campylocarpum. R. Nilagiricum.
R. formosum. R. Gibsoni. R. javanicum. R. citrinura.
R. jasminiflorum. R. Championae. R. Farrerte. R. Met-
terniehi. R. album. R, Batemani. R. blandtbrdianum,
R. Boothii. R. Brookianum. R. calophyllum. R. grande.

CONTEXTS. XIU

R. Griffithianiim. R. Hookeri. R. Kenclrlckii. R. Keysli.
R. moulinaynense. R. Sheplierdii. R. Nuttallii. R.
retusum. R. Smithii. R. Veichianum. R. Windsorii.
R. Lobbianum. R. Thibaudiense. R. Fortuni. Hybrid
varieties. R. Aprilis. R. alstromevioldes. R. Wilsoni.
R. precox. R. Prince of Wales (Rollinson's). R. carneum.
R. Cartoni. R. caucasicum arboreuin. R. Denisoni. R.
album speciosmn. R. Sesterlanum. R. Princess Alexandra.
R. Princess Helena. R. Princess Alice. R. Madame Van
Houtte. R. Othello (Van Houtte). R. Grand Due de
Bade. R. Madame Wagner. R. Madame Picouline. R.
omniguttatmii. R. myrtifblium. R. fragrans. R. liybridum.
R. Govenianum. R. Torlonianum. R. arboreum cinnamo-
meum. R. Comtesse Ferdinand Visant. R. daphnoides.
R. ovatura. R. Countess of Haddington. R. aureum mag-
nificum, R. Catawbiense. Catawbiense Hybrids, List of
Select Varieties 49-110.

P A E T III.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

Plants thriving under Similar Culture with Rhodo-
dendrons, co:m:monly known as *' Ajnierican Plants."

I. The Azalea, culture and species of. — II. The Rhodora. —
HI. The Loiseleuria. — IV. TheKalmia. — V. The Ledum.

— VI. The Leiophyllum. — VIL The Menziesia. — VIIL
The Phyllodoce.— ix. TheCalluna.— X. The Gypsocallis.

— XL The Cassiope. — XIL The Arctostaphylos. — XHI.
The Epigffia. — XIV. The Gaultheria. — XV. The Cliio-
genes. — XVI. The Linntea. — XVII. The Mitchella. —
XVIIL The Empetrum.— XIX. The Vaccineum. — XX.
The Leucothoe.— XXL The Cassandra. — XXIL The
Zenobia. — XXIU. The Andromeda. — XXIV. The

XIV CONTENTS.

Daphne. — XXy. The Skimmia. — XXVI. The Pernettya.
— XXVII. The Hypericum.— XXVlir. The Polygala. _
XXIX. The Pyrola. — XXX. The Moneses. — XXXI.
The Chimaphila 113-150

P A E T IV.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS ADAPTED FOR CULTURE
IN RHODODENDRON-BEDS.

I. The Hepatica. — IL The Sangmnaria. — III. The Jeffer-
sonia. — IV. The Caltha. — V. The Dentaria. — VI. The
Anemone. —VII. The Claytonia. — VIII. The Scilla. —
IX. The Camassia. — X. The Oxalis.— XL The Erythro-
niiim. — XII. The Arisasma. — XIII. The Pachysandra. —
XIV. The Dodecatheon. — XV. The Trientalis. — XVI.
The Mitella. — XVII. The Tiarella. — XVIIL The Helonias.

— XIX. The Clintonia. — XX. The Cornus. — XXL The
Convallaria. — XXII. The Ficaria. — XXIII. The Ranun-
culus. —XXIV. The Hellebore. —XXV. The Epimedium,

— XXVL The Cypripedmm.— XXVII. The Trillium.—
XXVIIL The Lily 153-176

LIST

ILLUSTRATED BOTANICAL WORKS REFERRED TO.

Abbreviations.

Bos. Ath.e Library of Boston Athenaeum.

Bos. Pub. Lib. . . . Library of City of Boston.

Bos. Nat. His. Soc. . Library of Boston Society of Natural History.

E. S. Pv. Jr Library of Edw. S. Rand, Jr.

ISIass. Hort. Soc. . Library of Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Hak. Col Library of Harvard College.

And. Rep Andrews, The Botanist's Repository.

London, 1797-1811. 10 vols. 4to.
Col. PI. 1-664.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.
Barton, Fl, . . . Barton, A Flora of North America.
Philadelphia, 1821-23. 3 vols. 4to.
Col. PI. 1-106.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr. ; Bos. Ath^e.
Barton, Med. . . . Barton, Medical Botany of the
United States. Philadelphia, 1817-
18. 2 vols. 4to. Col. PI. 1-50.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. ; Lib. E. S. R.
Jr. ; Bos. Athae.

XVI

LIST OF WOKKS REFERRED TO.

Bax. Brit. Bot.

Big. Med.

Bot. MjlG.

Bot. Reg.

Baxter, British Phaenogamous Bot-
any. London, 1834-13. 6 vols.
8vo. Col. PL 1-509.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.

BiGELOW, American Medical Botany.
Boston, 1817-20. 3 vols. 4to.
Col. PI. 1-60.

Lib. E. S. R. Jr. ; Lib. Bos. Nat.
His. Soc. ; Bos. Atliae.

Curtis, Botanical Magazine. Lon-
don, 1783-1871. 96 vols. 8vo.
Series I. : vols. 1-53.
II. : vols. 53-70.
,, IIL : vols. 71-96 and con.

Col. PI. 1-5877.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R.
Jr. ; Lib. Bos. Nat. His. Soc. ;
Bos. Athge. ; Bos. Pub. Lib. ; Har.
Col.

Edwards, The Botanical Register.
London, 1815-47. 33 vols. Royal
8vo.

Vols. 1-23. Col. PI. 1-2014.

Yol. 24. 1838. Col. PI. 1-68.

Vol. 25. 1839. „ „ 1-69.

Vol. 26.

1840. ,,

, 1-71.

Vol. 27.

1841. „

, 1-70.

Vol. 28.

1842. „

, 1-69.

Vol. 29.

1843. „

, 1-66.

Vol. 30.

1844. „ ,

, 1-67.

Vol. 31.

1845. „ ,

, 1-69.

Vol. 32.

1846. „ ,

, 1-69.

Vol. 33.

1847. „ ,

, 1-70.

In all . . . 2702 plates.
Lib. of Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S.
R. Jr. ; and Bos. Nat. His. Soc. ;
Bos. Pub. Lib.

LIST OP WOEKS REFERRED TO. xvii

Eng. Bot Smith & Sowehby, English Botany.

London, 1790-1814. 36 vols. 8vo.
Col. PI. 1-2592.
Supplement by Hooker. London,
1831-55. 5 vols. Col. PL 2593-
2995.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc.
New Edition, arranged according to
natural system. London, 1863-70.
Vols. 1-10, and continued. Royal
8vo. Col. PL 1-1545.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.
Fl. des Ser, . . . Van Houtte, Flore des Serres et
des Jardins de TEurope. 18 vols.
Gand, 1845-1871, and continued.
Col. PL 1-1926.
Lib. jNIass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.
Fl. Mag Moore, The Floral Magazine. Lon-
don, 1861-71. 9 vols. 8vo. Col.
PL 1-512, and continued.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.

Florist The Florist. 1st Series. London,

1848-62. 14 vols. 12mo. Col. PL—
2d Series. London, 1862-67. 6 vols.
Royal 8vo. 144 Col. PL — 3d
Series. 1868-71, and continued.
3 vols. Royal 8vo. 36 Col. PL
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. andE. S. R. Jr.
Hen. Illus.'Bou. . Henderson, The Illustrated Bou-
quet. London, 1857-64. 3 vols.
4to. CoL PL 1-85.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc.

Hook. Ex Hooker, Exotic Flora. Edinburgh,

1823-27. 3 vols. 8vo. CoL PL
1-232.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. ; Bos. Nat.
His. Soc. ; Bos. Pub. Lib.

XVlll

LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO.

Hook. Fl. Bor. A^i.

Hook. Rhod.

Illus. Hort. .

Hooker, Flora Boreali-Americana.
London, 1833-40. 2 vols. 4to.
PI. 1-238.

Lib. E. S. R. Jr. ; Bos. Nat. His.
Soc. ; Bos. Pub. Lib. ; Bos. Athge.

Joseph D. Hooker, The Bhododen-
drons of Sikkim Himalaya. Lon-
don, 1849-55. 1vol. folio. PI. 1-30.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R.
Jr. ; Bos. Nat. His. Soc.

Lemaire, L'lllustration Horticole.

Lem. Jar.

LoDD. Cab.

Maud. Bot.

Mich. Arb. .

1st Series, vols. 1-10, 1854-63.

Col. PI. 1-386. 2d Series, vols.

11-17, and continued. Col. PI.

387-550.
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.
Lemaire, Le Jardin Fleuriste. Gand,

1851-54. 4 vols. 8vo. Col. PI.

1-430.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.
LoDDiGE, The Botanical Cabinet.

London, 1818-33. 20 vols. L. P.

square 8to. Col. PL 1-2000.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr. ; Lib. Har. Col. ;

Bos. Pub. Lib.
Maund, The Botanist. London, 1839-

44. 5 vols. L. P. small 4to. Col.

PI. 1-250.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.
Michaux, The North American

Sylva. PhiladeliDhia, 1857. 3 vols.

L. P. Royal 8vo. Col. PL 1-156.

Continued by Nuttall, 3 vols, uni-
form with above. Col. PL 1-121.
Lib. E, S. R. Jr. ; Mass. Hort. Soc. ;

Bos. Soc. Nat. His.; Bos. Pub.

Lib. ; Bos. Athse.

LIST OF WOEKS REFERRED TO. xix

Pax. Fl. G. . . . Paxton, The Flower Garden. Lon-
dcn, 1850-5o. 3 vols. 4to. Col.
PI. 1-106.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. andE. S. R. Jr.
Pax. IMag Paxtox, Magazine of Botany. Lon-
don, 1831-49. 16 vols. 8vo. Col.
PI. 48 in each vol., in all 768.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R.
Jr ; Bos. Athse.

PuRSH, Fl PuESH, Flora Americas Septentrion-

alis. London, 1811. 2 vols. 8vo.
24 plain and colored plates.

Lib. E. S. R. Jr.

Rev. Hout Revue Horticole. Paris, 1855-71,

and continued. 16 vols. 1855-65,
24 colored plates in each vol. ;
1865-71, 52 colored plates in each
vol.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.
SiEB. Fl. Jap. . . . Siebold, Flora Japonica. 2 vols,
folio. Vol. I. Lugd. Bat. 1835-44.
PL 1-127.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. andE. S. R. Jr.

Vol. n. do. 1870. PI. 128-150.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc.
Steph. Med. . . . Stephenson, Medical Botany. Lon-
don, 1834-36. 3 vols. 8vo. Col.
PI. 1-185.

Lib. E. S. R. Jr.
Sweet, Fl. G. . . Sweet, The British Flower Garden.
London, 1823-29. 3 vols. 8vo.
Col. PI. 1-300. — 2d Series. Lon-
don, 1831-38. 4 vols. 8vo. Col.
PI. 1-452.

Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R.
Jr. ; Bos. Pub. Lib.

XX

LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO.

Sweet, Oex. G. .

TORR. IS". Y. .

Wight, Ic.

Wight, III.

Wood. Med.

. Sweet, The. Ornamental Flower Gar-
den. London, 1854. 4 vols. 8vo.
Col. PI. 288.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.

. ToEREY, Flora of the State of New
York. Albany, 1843. 2vols. 4to.
Col. PI. 1-161.
Lib. E. S. R. Jr.

. Wight, Icones Plantarum Indife
Orientalis. Madras, 1838-53. 6
vols. 4to. PL 1-2101.-
Lib. Mass. Hort. Soc. and E. S. R. Jr.

. Wight, Illustrations of Indian Bot-
any. Madras, 1838-48. 2 vols.
4to. Col. PL 1-182.
Lib. E. S. K. Jr.

. WooDViLLE, Medical Botany. Lon-
don, 1832. 5 vols. 4to. Yols. 1-4,
Col. PL 1-274; vol. 5, Col. PI.
1-39.

■#'

PART 1.

CULTURE OF THE RHODODENDRON.

THE EHODODENDRON.

PART I.
CULTURE OF THE RHODODEXDRON^.

CHAPTER I.

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

^ I ^HE highest aim in the cultivation of a plant is
-■- to grow it in such a manner as to attain the
most perfect results. Careless culture, though some-
times partially successful, in most cases brings dis-
appointment.

To grow a plant well, requires a study of its
peculiarities, and adaptations to suit them.

There are, in plant culture, certain general rules
which can never be transgressed: these are usu-
ally understood. There are also many lesser points
to be observed, too often wholly ignored, but they
contribute greatly to success, which is often in direct
ratio with their observance.

The Rhododendron requires careful culture. To
those who are not willing to give it, we say. Do not

4 THE RHODODENDEON.

attempt to grow Rhododendrons ; yet, so doing, you
give up one of the most beautiful of plants, one of
the most glorious ornaments of the garden, which
more richly repays the care it requires than any
plant we can mention. Let us not, however, be
misunderstood. After the first planting, that being
well done, the Rhododendron requires less attejition
than any other plant ; but this preparation of the
soil is of primary importance.

We are aware that in this we differ from some
cultivators, who maintain that Ehododendrons will
do well in any garden soil. This is true in a degree ;
for the plants will live, grow, and bloom in any deep
loam not containing lime ; but they will not, under
this culture, attain the highest perfection, either of
foliage or flower.

The Rhododendron is a native of swamps, of
shady mountain sides, or of deep ravines, usually
on the banks of mountain streams. In these situa-
tions it forms impenetrable thickets or jungles, the
plant attaining great size, the boughs bending down
and rooting by natural layers, producing in the
Middle and Southern States the nearest approach
our flora can make to a tropical jungle.

Some species are found in mountain swamps,
occasionally in high latitudes, but always in moist
situations.

The natural habitat of the plants gives us the first
requisite for their successful culture, — a moist soil.
The roots of all the species, except perhaps some
of the epiphytal kinds of the Himalaya Mountains,
are fine and hair-like ; and drought is certain death.

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 5 ^

In a wild state, they grow most luxuriantly in a
peaty loam, formed by the debris of decayed vege-
table matter, such as wood and leaves, with an
admixture of disintegrated rocks, and generally in
a shady situation. These conditions we must, in a
measure, imitate in cultivation.

It is a siQgular fact that cultivation has in some
plants produced greater abundance of bloom and
luxuriance of growth than they ever exhibit in their
native haunts. This has especially been shown with
some of the orchids of India and South America.

The fact is, to some extent, true of Rhododendrons ;
many species producing in our gardens larger and
finer flowers than in their wild state.

In preparing for Rhododendrons, the situation of
the bed is of primary importance. The plants will do
well in any exposure, but they naturally love shade ;
and a northern hill-side is the best place for the bed.
Our largest plantations are on a steep hill, sloping to
the north-west, and exposed to the full fury of the
winter storms. In such a situation not only do the
hardy varieties do well, but even some kinds, con-
sidered tender in England, stand the winter unin-
jured.

In a southern exposure the foliage is seldom as
fine as where the plants are sheltered from the full
sun, though they sometimes set more bloom. A
large bed on our lawn stood uninjured the parch-
ing summer of 1870, and is now in fine health, with a
promise of abundant bloom for the coming year.
The roots, however, never became dry, as the bed
was kept moist by heavy mulching.

6 THE RHODODENDRON.

The test was, nevertheless, a very severe one, as
the bed was made by filling in an old gravel pit ;
and the location was so hot and dry, that large
white pines, growing naturally close by, perished
from drought.

The fact that the Rhododendron thrives on a
northern exposure should of itself be a great incen-
tive to its cultivation. What country place is there
which has not a bare northern slope, some cold
exposure where " nothing will grow " ? Yet in
such a situation Rhododendrons will thrive ; change
it to a gorgeous mass of bloom in June, and give a
glorious show of rich evergreen foliage all the rest of
the year. Who will say the result is not worth the
necessary labor of preparation? And if we wish
flowers after the Rhododendrons, plant a few moun-
tain-laurel (^Kalmia latifolici) for succession, and
here and there dot in bulbs of our noble American
lilies QLilium siiperbum and canadeyise'),-s^\i\\ a few
clumps of the purple martagon, all of which bloom
magnificently ; and around the edges of the clumps
cultivate a host of the more dwarf-growing species
of our native plants which love a peat soil, such as
cy|3ripediums, trilliums, and others, even to the
Christmas rose (^Helleborus niger~), to bloom often
to the dawn of New Year's morning.

We do not appreciate the wealth of our American
flora, and have shut our eyes to the richness which
lies around us. In England, a crowning glory of
horticultural exhibitions is the show of " American
plants;" and we in America do not know what they
are.

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 7

The situation of the bed chosen, the first labor is
excavation. If the surface is level, the soil should
be removed to a depth of four feet, at least ; if the
soil is a dry gravel, another foot may be taken out
advantageously.

Be the shape of the bed what it may, the soil
should be picked out underneath the sides, as much
as can be done without letting down the surface, in
order that the soil around the sides may not be
drained by the surrounding gravel. If the soil is a
strong loam, and the subsoil clay, of such a nature
that the water will not run off, loose stones to the
depth of a few inches should be laid in the bottom
of the bed, and a blind drain be laid to carry off
surplus water : this, however, will rarely be neces-
sary. The primary rule in Rhododendron culture is
to keep the heel always moist, never very wet, never
very dry ; for either extreme is injurious.

The bed excavated, fill in old litter, pine needles,
leaves, or stubble, to the depth of two feet ; spread
this, letting it lay loosely ; the soil, in filling, will
press it down to a thickness of about six inches.
This will keep the bed from draining too rapidly,
and will in decaying furnish rich food for the roots,
when in the course of years they reach it.

It must be borne in mind that the Rhododendron
is not a deep-rooting plant, — the upper soil, if kept
moist, will supply every need of the roots ; but it is
to insure this moisture that so deep a bed is recom-
mended.

In our own experience it has been necessary, for
all our beds are dug out of loose gravel hills.

8 THE RHODODENDRON.

Where the soil is of a different nature such excava-
tion may not be necessary, and in this each must be
his own judge.

There is some difference of opinion as to the best
compost for the beds. The component parts are
peat, loam, and sand: the proportions, however,
need not be exact.

Probably no two of our beds have been prepared
in exactly the same way, and yet in all the plants
have done perfectly well. As a general rule, we
have found a compost of five loads peat, five loads
loam, one load sharp sand, to be the best.

Where peat is not easily obtained, it will be suf-
ficient to fill only the upper two feet of the bed with
the compost, the rest of the bed being good loam.

By peat we mean the dark, black soil, composed
of decayed vegetable matter, often fibrous, but never
hard. It should be dug out in summer, and spread
in thin piles for exposure to the action of the winter's
frost. In spring it will be of a loose and crumbhng
texture, and ready for use. It should not be used
fresh, as it is then hard and sour : the more the frost
works upon it the better it is.

If it is difficult to find peat, meadow mud, leaf
mould from old woods, or any well-rotted vegetable
compost, may be substituted.

Our first Rhododendron bed was made wholly of
soil obtained from an old wood, where the mountain-
laurel (^Kalmia) grew naturally, by scooping it out
from among the roots of the trees, and carting it
four miles.

The loam should be good garden soil, free from

^

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 9

stones. Old sods are a good filling for the lower
part of a bed : care should be taken, however, not to
use any containing couch grass, as the roots of this
grass find the surface from a great depth, and are
eradicated with great difficulty.

Any good clean sand, if free from stones and salt,
is suitable : common building sand will answer every
purpose.

Our mode of filling a bed is as follows : Three
heaps of peat, loam, and sand, respectively, are made
near the bed ; tw^o men, with long-handled shovels,
fill from them, one throwing from the pile of peat,
the other from the pile of loam, and in every eight
or ten shovelfuls sprinkling in one of sand. The
compost is thrown up against one side of the bed.
which is raised to its full height, and the bed is thus
gradually filled. Thus we have often planted one
end of a bed before the other was filled.

This mode insures a thorough mixing of the com-
ponent parts, and in beds thus made we have found
the plants succeed much better than where the com
post was mixed previously to filling.

Two of our largest beds are on a very steep hill
facing the north-west, and their construction differs
somewhat from the mode we have given.

The bed was first marked out on the surface as a
large oval about midway down the hill, the object
being to look doivn upon the plants when in bloom,
which is always desirable if possible. The excava-
tion was begun by digging out the soil to the depth
of four feet along the upper side of the bed, and
piling it along the lower side. This course was pur-

1*

10 THE RHODODENDRON.

sued, always pushing the soil out from the upper to
the lower side, until an oval plateau was formed,
just the size of the proposed bed, but everywhere
four feet below the level of the upper line where the
excavation was begun.

The whole bed was then filled in with soil pre-
pared as we have described, four feet deep, so that
a large level bed extended out at an angle to the
hill-side. The heavy banks at the sides and lower
part were then sodded, and the bed was ready for
planting.

This is a most satisfactory mode of making a
bed, and we should recommend it to every one who
has a northern hill-side. It utilizes and beautifies a
place where little else will grow, and the plants are
more effective both in foliage and flower from their
position. We should not advise such a treatment
of a southerly slope, as the plants would probably
suffer from the sun both in summer and winter.

PLANTING.

The bed being prepared, a few days should be
allowed for the soil to settle to the level of the sur-
rounding ground ; then planting should begin. The
time should be about the first of May in the latitude
of Boston, but we have often varied it a fortnight
earlier or later. If the plants have been imported,
they will have come close packed in the cases, every
interstice being filled with moss. In unpacking, the
branches should all be carefully straightened out,
and the plants, which always come with good balls

PLANTING. 11

of earth, placed in a covered, open shed, not exposed
to the sun.

As soon as unpacked, they should be well watered
overhead with a coarse-rosed water-pot, which will
clean and freshen the foliage and moisten the balls.
In this position they may be left for weeks without
injury, moss being placed over the balls to prevent
undue evaporation, and occasional waterings being
given. It is, however, better to plant them within
a few days after unpacking, if the weather is settled
and favorable.

Plants obtained from nurseries in this country
may be planted as soon as received.

There is nothing more simple than planting Rho-
dodendrons. "^ The plants have fine thread-like roots,
which seize hold of and retain the soil ; thus, unless
very carelessly packed, they always come with good
balls, and our only care is to place these balls in
congenial soil.

A hole proportioned to the size of the ball should
be dug in the prepared bed, the plant set as deep as it
was before (or if a little deeper it will do no harm),
the earth filled in and firmly pressed around the ball.

Wftterings shettkHntrlrlje'fflvM ^f planting- ^ the —
balls Imrrng- been well mOistened"'Sfter'TiTrpacking,
the soil of the bed will be wet enough to keep the
plants in good condition. Newly imported plants
should be set rather close, so that the leaves almost
touch, that during the first summer and winter they
may protect each other.

All planting, however, must be done with an eye
to the ultimate appearance of the bed. Thus, a bed

12 THE RHODODENDRON.

large enough for ten Rhododendrons of moderate
size may the first season contain a hundred. The
next spring, however, every other one should be
removed, and so on year after year.

In the first planting, care must be taken to so
arrange the plants which are to remain permanently,
that future transplanting may be avoided. This is
easily done by first setting them out in position, and
then filling in the others.

After planting, the surface of the bed should be
raked smooth, and prepared for

MULCHING.

We have said the Rhododendron is a surface-root-
ing plant, and therefore one great aim in cultivation
should be to keep the surface-soil moist. In old
beds, where the plants are masses of foliage, no ray
of sun will ever reach the ground, and the soil sel-
dom becomes dry.

In new plantations we must prevent undue evap-
oration by mulching. The best mulch is spent tan,
which may be obtained at any tannery for a few
dollars a cord. It is cool and moist, the best pre-
ventive of evaporation, furnishes nutriment to the
roots as it decays, and accords in color so well with
the dark foliage of the plants as to produce a charm-
ing effect.

The tan should be spread evenly over the surface
of the bed from one to three inches deep, according
to the exposure of the bed to the sun. It should be
applied by the middle of May, before the surface has

MANUEING. 13

had time to dry, and will not require renewal oftener
than once in three years.

This mulching of tan seems particularly adapted
to the plant : it is not infrequent for branches which
chance to be bent down and covered with the tan
to strike root ; and we have many plants from such
accidental layers.

Where tan cannot be procured, pine needles are
the best mulch. These should be spread about two
inches deep, and will last undecayed for years.

Oak leayes, or leaves of other deciduous trees, may
be used where nothing better can be obtained ; but
they are objectionable, because they blow away, and
give the bed and its surroundings a slovenly, ill-kept
appearance.

Sawdust is too fine and close, preventing the access
of air to the roots, which (as far as we can judge
from our own experience), is of vital importance to
Rhododendrons .

The coarse chippings from a boring machine
would probably serve a good purpose if nothing
better can be obtained. Meadow hay and litter are
objectionable, as containing seeds of weeds and
grasses, and forming a fermenting, decaying mass,
injurious to the roots of the plants.

MANUEING.

If the bed has been carefully prepared as we have
directed, it will need no manuring.

Every thing of a stimulating, heating nature is
injmious.

14 THE EHODODENDRON.

It is tlie best policy to do the work well at first,
and then no further enriching of the soil will be
needed. The roots of all ''American Plants" feed
on thoroughly decomposed vegetable matter. This
we supply in abundance in the peat, of which the
bed is composed, and as long as this nutriment lasts
no more need be provided. It is, of course, within
the range of possibility that in time, in old beds,
this supply may be exhausted, and then a top dress-
ing of peat, leaf mould, or even well-rotted stable
manure, may be beneficially applied. Special ma-
nures, certainly any containing lime, would probably
prove injurious.

Our own beds, some of which are ten years old,
and contain plants twice that age, have never had a
shovelfid of manure of any kind, except what may
have been derived from decaying tan, and are in
vigorous health, growing stronger every year.

Where Ehododendrons are suffering for want of
proper nutriment, the ground may be enriched ; but
all manure should be well rotted and thoroughly
decomposed before application.

With liquid manures we have had no experience :
we should, however, judge them to be of too stimu-
lating a nature, and likely to prove injurious.

A mixture of charcoal with the soil is said to
give intensity to the colors of the flowers. We see
no reason to doubt the statement ; but in view of the
brilliancy of color in some of the varieties of recent
origin, we see no need of such extraneous assist-
ance.

PRUNING. 15

PRUNING

May be performed freely when necessary. It was
once thought that Rhododendrons could not bear
pruning ; but, on the contrary, they bear it remark-
ably well. We have had large plants, which were
accidentally broken or cut down by the frost, pro-
duce young shoots as freely as rose-bushes, from
wood an inch in diameter. As a fact. Rhododen-
drons need very little pruning : in growth they are
symmetrical, and when left to themselves make such
beautiful plants, that any attempts to prune them into
formal shapes would prove wholly at variance with
good taste.

Some tall-growing varieties, such as R. Cataiv-
biense album elegans^ need to be cut in when they
grow too high. This may be freely done in early
spring, or immediately after flowering.

We prefer, however, to rub out the terminal buds
of shoots that would grow too high, just before the
buds begin to swell in the spring.

When in bloom. Rhododendrons may be freely
cut ; the only care to be observed being to cut in
such a way as not to injure the symmetry of the
plant, or to leave bare places where there is no grow-
ing bud coming on to fill up the gap.

Standard plants occasionally need pruning ; but,
by a little care in rubbing out buds, the knife will
seldom be needed for Rhododendrons.

16 THE RHODODENDRON.

TRANSPLANTING.

This is an easy process, and with a little care may
always be successfully performed. We have said
that the fine rootlets of the Rhododendron hold a
mass of soil, so that the plants always " lift with a
ball."

The only care is not to break the ball or to allow
the rootlets to become dry. With these precautions
Rhododendrons may be transplanted to any distance,
and left out of the ground for a long time without
danger of loss:

The season for transplanting is any time when the
plant is not in growth. The Rhododendron makes
its annual growth and ripens its wood in a few weeks
in summer.

In most species, the growth is contemporaneous
with, or closely succeeds, the flowering period ; that
is, with hardy kinds, from the middle of May to the
middle of July, according to the species.

In a comparatively short time the growth is made,
and the remainder of the summer the plants are
forming the flowers or leaf-buds, and ripening the
wood for the next year. By the middle of July we
can usually tell how well the plants are to bloom the
following June.

Some varieties often make a second growth ; and,
indeed, where the autumn is warm and moist, this
is not an unfrequent occurrence. As this second
growth seldom ripens well, and is usually killed by
the winter, it should be prevented as much as pos-

TEANSPLANTING. 17

sible. Plants in which this tendency exhibits itself
should be planted in dryer soil, and kept quite dry
during the months of August and September.

The only variety which we have known to ripen
the second growth successfully is " Cunningham's
Dwarf White " in its different kinds, the hardiest of
the '^ponticum " varieties, and which not unfrequently
gives a pretty autumn bloom.

The best season for transplanting Rhododendrons
is undoubtedly spring, say from the middle of April
to the middle of May ; but some cultivators move
the plants in August, and there is no objection to
autumn or winter transplanting, provided care is
taken that the plants do not suffer by being thrown
out of the ground by the frost.

A few years since, at one of the spring exhibitions
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, there
being a scarcity of pot-plants, we removed from the
beds a number of large Rhododendrons in full bloom,
some bearing hundreds of flowers, put them in large
boxes, carted them into the exhibition, where they
remained two days, and bringing them back placed
them again in the positions whence they were taken,
without the plants receiving the slightest check or
injury. In England it is customary to bring hun-
dreds of plants from great distances, just as they are
coming into bloom, to form the celebrated exhibitions
of American Plants yearly held in the cities, and to
take them back again, the plants not feeling the
removals.

Every autumn we take up hundreds of plants of
the more tender kinds, some of immense size, set

18 THE EHODODENDRON.

tliem in boxes, and keep them in cellars until spring,
when they are replanted in the open air. The plants
are not unfavorably affected, and bloom finely year
after year.

Thus it will be seen that the Rhododendron,
usually reputed a plant of difficult management, is
capable of enduring quite as much hard usage in
removal as any plant of our acquaintance ; and this
should serve as an additional incentive to its in-
creased cultivation.

By a little attention to a reserve Rhododendron
bed where a number of duplicates may be grown,
we may yearly insure a display of bloom near the
house, and produce gorgeous effects at will from
masses of flowers.

TREATMENT AFTER FLOWERING.

As soon as the flowers have faded, the seed-cap-
sules should be removed. This is a work of much
labor, especially where the plants are large and tall.
It must be done carefully, that the tender shoots,
which are then just starting into growth at the base
of the flower-truss, may not be broken or injured.
The best way is to grasp the branch with the left
hand close to the upper tuft of foliage, and with the
thumb and finger of the right hand bend the truss
of seed-pods to one side : it will usually break off
clean, without injury to the young shoot.

The young wood coming from the base of a bloom-
truss will not usually, except on very strong plants,
set bloom the first year ; but if the seed is removed,

TEEATMENT AFTER FLOWERING. 19

it may be depended on for strong bloom the follow-
ing year. Thus we can easily regulate the bloom
on any plant or portion of a plant, by removing
bloom-buds one year to obtain a profusion of bloom
the next.

Large and old plants, however, will always set as
much bloom as they ought to carry ; and the difficulty
with Rhododendrons is rather overblooming than
the contrary.

Some cultivators assert that the removal of the
seed-vessels is not necessary. Yet they do not deny
that ripening the seed weakens the plant for flower-
ing ; and the best reason given for neglecting it is
that it takes too much time. We have tried both
ways ; and the superior beauty, vigor, and health of
the plants from which the seeds were removed, has
taught us always to do it at any expense of time
and trouble.

Another objection to leaving the seed-vessels is
that, when they have opened and scattered the seed,
they become very hard and persistent, and are veiy
unsightly, disfig-uring the plant.

If the weather is very dry after the flowers have
faded, the Rhododendrons should be plentifully
watered. At this season they are in full growth,
and need a great amount of moisture. This, how-
ever, should not be given after the young growth
begins to harden ; for then the object is to fully ripen
the wood and mature the flower and foliage buds for
winter. If the bed has been properly prepared, there
will seldom be any need of watering ; and mulching
is always the best way of retaining moisture.

20 THE RHODODENDKON.

No weeds should be allowed to grow over the sur-
face of the bed ; but no spading or hoeing should ever
he permitted. The annual spading of shrubberies is a
relic of barbarism, which should long ago have been
discontinued in a civilized age.

DISEASES.

The Rhododendron has no diseases, at least this
is in our experience ; and of itself this fact should
lead to its general cultivation.

INSECT ENEMIES.

These are very few, and seldom do any great
injury.

We have occasionally noticed a branch in a dying
condition, and upon investigation have found the
pith eaten out by some species of borer ; but have
never been able to capture the insect in any state.

A species of saw fly sometimes cuts holes in the
young foliage, but never to any great extent.

A year ago, noticing a young Rhododendron in
bad health, and finding no apparent cause in the plant,
we were led to examine the roots, upon which we
found myriads of the white root aphis. This, how-
ever, is an exceptional case.

Our experience gives us the above facts, from
which we deduce that insect enemies, as they exist
at present, need deter none from cultivating Rhodo-
dendrons.

WINTER PROTECTION. 21

WINTER PROTECTION.

Rhododendrons vary much in hardiness. The
greater part of the varieties found in English and
continental catalogues are tender in the latitude of
Boston.

Yet there are some magnificent varieties that
are as hardy as a white pine, and which will endure
uninjured our severest winters. But even these
should be protected when first planted.

The first Rhododendron bed we ever made is on
the north-western slope of a steep hill, exposed to
the full force of the winter storms. It was planted
ten years ago, with seven varieties of Oataivbiense
hybrids. For two years it was well protected in
winter; but ever since it has stood without the
slightest protection, entirely uninjured, although the
mercury has at times fallen to fifteen degrees below
zero. The plants are now ten feet high, immense
masses of glorious foliage ; and every June display
thousands of gorgeous flowers.

Some of the more tender varieties endure the win-
ter perfectly well if protected from the wind, and we
may safely state that — of say seventy-five — of the
hardiest of the Catawbiense kinds, the greater part
will endure severe cold below zero, if they can be
sheltered from the direct influence of the wind.

Even the hardiest kinds are sometimes injured in
their foliage by the wind ; and for this reason only
we protect standards during the winter, as we shall
fully describe in another chapter.

22 THE RHODODENDRON.

Evergreen boughs are the best winter protection
for Rhododendrons. We use the common red cedar,
it being of very dense growth, and plentiful in the
neighborhood ; but any evergreen will answer a good
purpose.

The boughs of small trees are cut somewhat longer
than the plants to be protected, and are stuck into
the ground around the plant, in a slightly slanting
position. When the ground freezes they become
firmly fixed in position, and any weight of snow
causes them to bend over and protect the plant.
Thus it will be seen that this mode of protection is
also useful in preventing the branches of young plants
from being broken by the weight of the snow.

Another and an important object in protection is
to keep the plants from the winter's sun.

Many reputed tender varieties are perfectly hardy
if they can be kept in a frozen state all winter.

We can readily see that in our changeable climate,
where the thermometer, at zero at sunrise, may by
noon be fifty above zero in the sun, the evergreen
leaves of plants are alternately frozen and thawed ;
and no doubt can be entertained that it is injurious
to the foliage of the plants.

For this reason. Rhododendrons thrive better on
a northern than on a southern exposure ; and varie-
ties, which on a bleak northern hill we never protect,
on a lawn sloping to the south are carefully covered
each winter.

While one great object of protection is to shelter
the plant from wind and sun, any covering which
deprives the plant of a free circulation of light and
air is injurious.

IMPORTING AND PROCURING PLANTS. 23

Trussing up with straw, to us any thing but an
attractive mode of winter protection, or covering
with close boxes, are to be avoided.

Any protection, however, which will break the
force of the wind, and partially shield from the rays
of the sun, may be advantageously employed.

The time for covering Rhododendrons is just
before the ground freezes up in the autumn, and the
protection should be removed as soon as the frost
leaves the ground in the spring. We generally
cover the beds the last week in November, and
remove the covering the first week in April.

In considering this question of winter protection,
it must be borne in mind that our experience has
been in the latitude of Boston, and near the sea
coast.

Further south and in the interior, winter protec-
tion may be entirely dispensed with : in this matter
experience is the best teacher. .

Every year we are giving less protection as plants
become acclimated and established ; and ultimately
may be able to dispense with it altogether for most
varieties.

IMPORTING AND PROCURING PLANTS.

Although the Rhododendron is so well adapted for
general planting, a large collection would be difficult
to obtain in this country. The largest sale stock, to
our knowledge, is that of Messrs. Parsons & Co., of
Flushing, Long Island, who are now devoting a large
portion of their extensive grounds to the raising of
Rhododendrons.

\

24 THE KHODODENDRON.

In tliis collection are many fine specimen plants ;
and a good stock of young plants of such varieties as
their experience has proved hardy and desirable, and
of which we speak more fully in another chapter, are
already for sale at reasonable prices. The plants in
this nursery are grown in a deep, moist, rich loam,
and such as have been supplied us have invariably
done well. Messrs. Hovey & Co., near Boston, have
many old and fine plants : their collection is grown
in a natural meadow. They liave also a fine stock
of seedling Rhododendron maximum, the best species
for massing on woody places and on rocky hills.

There may be other sale collections, but we have
failed to find them. Every nurseryman's catalogue
contains Khododendrons, but probably not one in
ten could supply half a dozen good plants. We have
repeatedly ordered them, misled by an advertise-
ment ; and the result has been no plants, or, what
was worse, a few ill-shaped, sickly specimens, only
fit for the brush-heap.

The greater jDart of our plants have been imported
from England, and yearly we thus add to our stock.

Probably the most extensive, as well as the oldest
collection of American Plants, in England, is the
Knap Hill Nursery, near Woking, Surrey, now of
Mr. Anthony Waterer.

Thousands upon thousands of plants, in hundreds
of varieties, are there annually grown for sale ; and the
nursery and grounds contain some of the largest and
finest specimens in England. About the first of
January we send an order to Mr. Waterer ; and the
plants leave England by steamer from the first to

STANDARD RHODODENDRONS. 25

the middle of April, arriving in about a fortnight
after shipping. They invariably come in good order,
and we have never lost a plant from poor packing ;
nor have we ever had any occasion to complain of
the quality of the plants. The cost of importing
plants can easily be computed by reckoning an Eng-
lish shilling, cost price, at fifty cents currency. This
is an outside figure, and includes gold, freight, ex-
change, and the outrageous imposition of a duty of
tliirty per cent in gold. By thus estimating, we can
always be within our calculations.

American plants are extensively grown in most
English nurseries, and catalogues before us contain
large lists of varieties, and from any nursery plants
could be imported. We, however, give the prefer-
ence to Mr. Waterer, as his long experience enables
him to send only such plants as are suited to our
climate. Those who are in doubt what kinds to
select can safely leave the choice to Mr. Waterer,
and will be sure of receiving only the best plants.

STANDARD RHODODENDRONS.

These are amongst the most splendid ornaments
of the garden, as those who have seen them in Eng-
land will admit.

Some of our plants when in bloom are wonder-
fully beautiful, and are always attractive from the
heads of rich glossy foliage.

Probably the largest standard in the country is on
our lawn : the trunk is one foot one inch in circum-
ference at the ground ; it begins to branch four feet

2

26 THE RHODODENDRON.

from the ground, where it is eleven inches around ;
it is eight feet four inches high, and the head is
twenty feet four inches in circumference ; and the
whole plant requires in winter, to cover it, a shed
six feet square by nine feet high.

It is of the variety roseum eleg-ans, which is par-
ticularly adapted for standards ; and in June is so
covered with flowers as almost to conceal the foliage.

This plant was imported five years ago, and has
since stood uninjured two of the hardest winters
upon vegetation which we have known. We have
many other fine standards, both of hardy and tender
varieties : the former, with a slight protection from
wind and sun, are entirely uninjured by the winter ;
the latter are removed to the Ehododendron cellars,
of which we give a description in a future chapter,
upon the approach of severe weather.

Our advice would be to all to plant a few standard
Rhododendrons. They are expensive ; but one will
make more show than a dozen smaller plants, and
will not cost much more. In the centre of a bed, a
tall standard rising above the more dwarf plants is
especially effective.

The only care necessary is to be sure the plants
are worked on Catatvbiense stock : those grown on
ponticwn stock would be killed or injured by the
first winter.

In planting them, the position should not be too
sunny, as the hot suns of smiimer may injure the
tall trunks. We have sometimes, when the weather
was very hot and dry, pressed a large flower-pot into
the ground close to the stems of the standards, and

DWAEF EHODODENDRONS. 27

by filling it with water every morning a constant
moisture was kept up from the slow percolation of
the water through the hole in the bottom. These
pots, however, are not ornamental, and are seldom
necessary. Standards occasionally need pruning to
keep the heads in shape ; but a little attention to
disbudding, as we have described, will render this
unnecessary.

DWARF RHODODENDRONS.

These are among the most charming of the family,
and no collection is complete without them. The
greater part are perfectly hardy ; and though in
flower they are not so showy, yet in delicate beauty
they far surpass the taller-growing varieties.

In this class we find the charming species R. dau-
ricum, rather a loose grower, and needing severe
pruning to make it symmetrical ; but always beauti-
ful in earliest spring, blooming with the crocus and
outlasting the hyacinth.

Next is R. Wilsonianum, with beautiful glossy
foliage, usually considered tender, but perfectly hardy
with us ; and then we have R. odoratum, the flowers
of which, as the name implies, are delightfully fra-
grant.

R. hirsiitum, and its variegated variety, are neat
little plants, useful for the edges of beds, but are not
particularly showy either in foliage or flower.

The charming Alpine R. lapponicum is most diffi-
cult of cultivation, but is beautiful enough to repay
any care.

28 THE EHODODENDRON.

R. Torlonianum and Govenianuin, both hybrids,
are very pretty, but have with us proved rather
tender.

R. punCtatum can hardly be considered a dwarf.
It is a pretty plant, but rather insignificant in
flower.

R. ferriiginewn is also rather tall-growing, and is
showy in flower. This is the true " Alpen Rose."

We shall have more to say of all these in a future
chapter, and only mention them in this connection
to call special attention to their beauty.

INDOOR CULTURE. 29

CHAPTER II.

INDOOR CULTURE.

^ I ^HERE are many of the finest species and yarie-
-■- ties of Rhododendrons wliich are too tender
to survive the winters of our climate. Many kinds,
wliicli in England are hardy, are tender with us, and
can only be grown with indoor culture. In this
class are all the fine varieties of Rhododendron pon-
ticum^ and many of those which have a mixture of
Cataivhiense blood ; most of the best spotted and
scarlet varieties, and many of those with the best-
defined markings ; all the glorious species of the
Himalaya Mountains, the so-called " Sikkim Rho-
dodendrons ; " and all the various forms of the
tree Rhododendron, R. arboreiim, of Nepal ; the yel-
low and buff-flowered Javanese species ; and the
delicate and beautiful kinds of which Rhododendron
jasminiflorum is a representative.

Thus, we see that the indoor culture of this plant
affords a far greater range than we can find in the
garden. This culture has as yet, however, received
but little attention : we find a few plants grown in
greenhouses, but usually they are neglected and in
bad condition. To grow Rhododendrons well, they
should have a house to themselves ; and with such
culture the result would be the production of glorious

30 THE RHODODENDRON.

masses of flowers during the early spring months.
We know of no house of this kind, but one could
be readily constructed at small expense.

It should be low, span-roofed ; the sashes arranged
to take off in summer, and shutters provided for
covering the roof in early winter. The heating ap-
paratus need not be very powerful, for the most that
would be required would be to keep out the frost.
The plants should be planted out in beds of prepared
soil, and, by taking off the sashes, allowed to perfect
their growth and mature their buds in the open air.
When freezing weather approaches, the sashes should
be replaced ; and during the short days the house
should be kept only a little above the freezing point.
As the days lengthen, and the sun gains more power,
more heat may be given, which will soon start the
flower-buds.

According to the heat given, the plants will
bloom from March to May, or by a selection of
kinds a continuous bloom may be obtained. Such
treatment would suit all the ponticum and the more
tender Catawbiense hybrids : many of the Sikkim
varieties would thrive and bloom, and some of the
more tender species of other American plants might
be added for variety. The tropical kinds, of course,
require stove heat ; but they are hardly numerous
enough to warrant the erection of a special house.

Indoor culture is, in almost every respect, iden-
tical with garden culture, only it requires more care
in watering, and air should be freely given on all
occasions.

Such a house of plants in bloom would be a mag-

FORCING. 31

nificent sight, and at other seasons it would require
very little care.

FORCING.

Rhododendrons are very easily forced into bloom,
and add greatly to the attractions of the green-
house.

Any varieties may be forced, although a selection
of the earlier blooming kinds would give those best
adapted for the purpose. The plants for forcing
should be selected in November from those best set
with flower-buds : they should be carefally potted
and removed to a cool, light cellar, where they should
be kept until the first of January, receiving only
sufficient water to keep the soil from drying up.

About the first of the year they should be gradu-
ally introduced into heat, and given a position near
the glass. Water should be freely administered, but
never allowed to stand around the roots. In a few
weeks the buds will begin to swell, and the plants
will rapidly come into bloom.

After flowering, the growth of the young shoots
should be encouraged, keeping the plants as near the
glass as possible to prevent them from becoming
drawn. After all danger of frost has passed, the
plants may be replanted in the bed from whence
they were taken.

The same plants cannot be forced for two succes-
sive years, as they usually fail to set many flower-
buds the second year; but a hundred plants will
always supply plenty for annual forcing.

32 THE RHODODENDRON.

AS PARLOR PLANTS.

Many will be surprised at our recommending the
Rhododendron as a parlor plant ; yet we know of
none more showy or of easier culture. We have
grown very fine specimens in a southerly window,
and had magnificent trusses of bloom during March
and April.

The process is very simple ; being only to take up
the plants in autumn, pot them, and keep them in a
light, cool cellar, as above directed, and after the
turn of the year place them in the parlor-window.
The heat of furnaces or exhalations from gas-burn-
ers, which prove so fatal to most parlor plants, do
not seem to affect them, and they soon develop fine
trusses of bloom.

By a selection of varieties, fine contrasts of color
may be obtained ; and, by taking some of the late
flowering kinds, a succession of flower may be main-
tained until the Rhododendrons bloom in the open air.

Parlor forcing is bad for the plants, as they sel-
dom make good wood, the growth being generally
weak and long ; but in a few years the plants re-
cover, and are again ready for forcing.

We have found " Cunningham's Dwarf White," in
its varieties, one of the best of the ponticum hybrids,
admirably adapted for parlor culture. We have also
successfully forced some of the most showy of the
Catawhiense hybrids, such as Nero, Lord John Rus-
sell, and Brayanum, with perfect success ; and can
recommend parlor forcing to all lovers of Rhodo-
dendrons.

PROPAGATION. 33

CHAPTER III.

PROPAGATION.

'THHE propagation of Rhododendrons is by no
-^ means difficult, altliougii as yet it has been
little attempted in this country. Old and approved
varieties are increased by layers, cuttings, grafting,
or inarching ; and new varieties are obtained from
seed.

These various processes differ in no degree in the
case of this plant from the ordinary methods ; but
we will describe them briefly.

LAYERS.

By this means the best plants are raised, and it is
the usual mode in England for propagating in large
quantities approved varieties.

In its native swamps the Rhododendron roots
readily wherever the branches bend to the ground,
and become covered with soil or a debris of moist
leaves.

In our own garden we have often obtained fine
plants from branches which had by chance been
covered by the earth of the bed or by the tan inulch,
roots being very freely produced where the natiu^al
sufficiency of moisture is afforded.

We have only to bend the branch to the ground, to

2*

34 THE EHODODENDRON.

cover any portion of the old wood with the moist
earth, and to secure the branch in position : roots will
soon be protruded, and the second year the branch
may be severed from the parent stock, to become an
independent plant. The production of roots may be
greatly facilitated by making an upward cut one
half through the branch where it is to be buried
deepest in the earth, in the ordinary manner of
layering: the flow of sap is in a measure thus
arrested.

These layers, if made in spring, will in two years
be very strong, and ready to remove ; in some cases
a single season may be sufficient for them, but
ordinarily two years are required. The only atten-
tion necessary is to keep the branches in place by
strong pegs, and the soil moist.

By layering the branches, tall, ungainly plants
may be made in time fine specimens. The long,
straggling branches should be bent down and firmly
pegged at even di|tances all around the plant : they
will root, and the bending of the branches between
the old plant and the layers will facilitate the pro-
duction of buds ; or, in gardener's parlance, the old
wood will break, and the bare places be filled with
new shoots, and the plant will become of a bushy,
symmetrical shape.

CUTTINGS

Should be made of the half-ripened wood of the
growing shoots. They should be inserted in silver
sand, or peat and sand, and covered with a bell-glass.

INAKCHING. 35

No special attention is required, except to shade
them from the direct sun, and to occasionally wipe
the moisture from the glass : the sand, of course,
should be kept moist. The cuttings root readily,
and may then be transplanted to single pots, and the
next season placed in the open ground.

Propagation by cuttings is seldom resorted to, ex-
cept in the case of new varieties, and with the tine,
tender species of the greenliouse and stove.

INAECHING.

This process is the same ordinarily employed for
the propagation of camellias, and like hard-wooded
shrubs.

Some vigorous stock of a common variety is
selected. The branch should then be brought close
to the stock, and the parts which fit best be care-
fully marked ; next, at the places of contact, pare
away the bark and wood for an inch or more in
length on both stock and branch ; then, letting the
bark join exactly, tie the stock and branch tight
together, and cover with clay or grafting wax.
When the stock and graft are of the same size, a
slit is made upward in the branch, and a correspond-
ing slit downward in the stock ; the parts are then
tongued together, the whole joined exactly^^ tied, and
covered with wax or clay as above. ^

If the operation is performed out of doors, both
stock and graft should be carefully staked ; but in
the house this is not necessary.

A few months wiU generally be sufficient to unite

36 THE EHODODENDRON.

the parts, and the grafts may then be separated from
the parent plant.

They should be cut off close to the graft, and the
head of the stock also removed. Inarching is some-
times called approach grafting, and is a very sure
mode of propagation.

The best time for this operation is from January
to April, or in summer: when performed in the
house, the stocks should be well established in
pots.

SEED.

By this mode innumerable varieties are raised,
and thus all of the fine hybrids now in cultivation
have been produced.

The seeds, which like those of most of the Eri-
caceae, are small and fine, should be sown soon
after ripening. They retain their vitality about a
year ; but the sooner they are sown the more certain
is their germination.

The soil should be very fine peat and silver sand,
in shallow boxes or pans : it should be made very
fine and moist, the seed be thinly sprinkled on the
surface, and just enough soil to cover it be sifted
over the pan. The soil should be kept at a uniform
rate of moisture, and be shaded from the direct rays
of the sun and from frost. A close, cool frame is the
best place. The time of germinating varies much
with the season of planting, from a few weeks to six
months. The seedlings are at first very small, and
should be allowed to remain in the seed-pans until

HYBRIDIZATION. 37

they attain some size. They should then be " pricked
off" in pans or boxes, and grown in frames, with
plenty of air in good weather, until large enough to
be planted out.

Li its native haunts the Rhododendron seeds very
freely, and young plants are readily obtained.

In a recent journey through the Alleghany Moun-
tains, we saw acres of Rhododendrons of the species
Cataivbiense and maximum. On one mountain side,
where a stream ran along the road, myriads of plants
had sprung up. They were of all sizes, from the
tiniest plant to large trees ; and we pulled up hun-
dreds of nice well-rooted plants, which reached home
in good condition.

In many places we found seedling Rhododendrons,
Kalmias, and Epigasa rooting in the same cleft of
the rock, and often so firmly it was impossible to
dislodge them without destroying the plants.

HYERIDIZATION

Has been but little attempted in this country.
Some few good seedlings have been produced, but
usually from chance seed.

The process is very simple, being only to fertilize
a fine flower with the pollen of another, having pre-
viously removed the anthers of the female parent.

It is a good rule to make the hardier plant tht
female.

After fertilization, protect the fertilized flower by
a gauze covering until it fades, and carefully gather
the ripened seed.

38 THE RHODODENDRON.

Some of the seedlings recently produced in Eng-
land are of wonderful beauty, combining depth and
breadth of flower, brilliancy of color, and immense
size of truss, with great vigor of constitution and
beauty of foliage.

Of some of these we shall have occasion to give
descriptions in future pages.

It is, however, very doubtful if any of them will
prove thoroughly hardy, although in England they
are the most splendid ornaments of the shrubbery.

Our aim should be to raise American seedlings
suited to our climate.

Messrs. Parsons & Co. have a few, of which we
think well so far as we have tried them. We also
have exhibited for the last three years, at the weekly
shows of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a
well-marked seedling, which has proved very hardy.
The color is very good, and the plant vigorous.
These good qualities, with its hardiness, will prob-
ably render it valuable.

The field is wide and open to all ; and what better
can our nurserymen and amateurs compete in than
raising hardy seedling Rhododendrons ?

COMPARATIVE HARDINESS. 39

CHAPTER lY.

COMPARATIVE HARDINESS.

'THHE hardiness of Rhododendrons is a very difTi-
-*- cult subject to treat.

Every cultivator will express a different opinion ;
and while on some few varieties all will agree, upon
the greater number no two will form the same opin-
ion. The reason is simply that we are upon tlie
northern limit of hardiness for most kinds, and
the difference of a few degrees in the range of the
mercury is life or death to the plant.

Yet, strange as it may seem, some varieties, which
we find marked as tender in English catalogues, prove
hardy in the latitude of Boston.

An instance of this is the fine variety, " President
Yan den Hecke,'' the flowers of which are blush
white, thickly spotted with chocolate, which has
with us stood the last three winters uninjured, both
in leaf and bud.

The hardest winters for Rhododendrons are those
when there is but little snow, when the mercury falls
below zero. The greater number of Cataiubiense
varieties will stand uninjured where the thermometer
occasionally falls to zero ; but a long continuance
of zero weather is fatal to very many kinds. Snow
is a great protection : we repeatedly find plants

40 THE RHODODENDRON.

killed or badly injured above the snow-line, but
bright and in good condition below.

Heavy falls of snow, however, sometimes do great
damage by breaking the plants : we have had fine
plants ruined by a thaw succeeding a heavy snow-
storm, the snow settling and breaking all the
branches, leaving only a tall stem with a few
branches at the top. The covering of cedar-boughs
is often a great protection against breaking by
snow.

Of the hardiness of species we can speak with
greater certainty.

All the Rhododendrons from Eastern and Central
Asia, and the numerous " Sikkim " species, are ten-
der. Some of the Himalaya kinds are precariously
hardy in the south of England, and therefore might
succeed south of Pennsylvania ; but we do not sup-
pose the experiment has been tried. A cold snap,
such as that which has recently (December, 1870)
visited the Southern States, would destroy them.

Rhododendron ponticum, and most of its varieties,
are tender in New England : in the Middle States
they would probably succeed. " Cunningham's
Dwarf White," of which there are several varieties,
(although a. variety of R. ponticum^, is hardy with
us, some fifty plants having stood the last three
winters uninjured, both in foliage and flower-bud.

This variety is said to be the only Rhododendron
which will endure the winters of northern Europe.

Rhododendron hirsutum, punctatum, and ferrw-
gineum^ are hardy. R. californicum is not hardy
in New England.

COMPARATIVE HARDINESS. 41

R. dauHcum, and its variety, atrovirens, will
stand in any exposure. R. caiicasicum and chry-
santhemum should prove hardy, but they are seldom
found in cultivation.

R. lapponicum is a native of high mountain ranges
and northern latitudes, but is an " Alpine " of diffi-
cult cultivation. In its native habitat it is probably
protected by snow during the winter.

R. maximum is perfectly hardy ; and any hybrids
raised from it would probably partake of this char-
acteristic.

R. Cataivbiense is hardy as far north as Boston,
though in severe winters the foliage has sometimes
been a little browned.

The hybrids of Catawbiense vary greatly in hardi-
ness. Though thus popularly called, they are of
mixed blood, and are hardy just so far as they
resemble the hardy parent. As a general rule, the
bright colors and the deeply spotted varieties will be
found tender ; but we have great hopes that some of
the newer seedlings, which in color are superior to
any of the old kinds, may prove hardy with us.

In the description of varieties in Part II., we pro-
pose to give our experience of the hardiness of the
several kinds. We must say, however, that the
experience of one locality is not necessarily that of
another, differing but little in climate. Each one
must experiment for himself with doubtful kinds,
and thus only can he ascertain the true rule for his
guidance.

There are many Rhododendrons that in branch
and bud are hardy, but of which the foliage is dis-

42 THE RHODODENDRON.

figured every winter. The result is, the plants look
badly the greater part of the year, and the flowers
are small and poor. These varieties should be dis-
carded. A great beauty of the Rhododendron is the
foliage; and as a variety which keeps its foliage
unhurt occupies no more room, and requires less care
than one which is thus partially tender, the hardy
varieties should be preferred. Greater attention is
now being paid in the production of seedlings to size
and color of foliage, and some of the new kinds are
of surpassing excellence in this respect.

HOUSES FOR WINTER PROTECTION.

Standard Rhododendrons, even of the hardiest
kinds, are hable to have the foliage very much dis-
figiu^ed by the cutting winds of winter. It is difficult
to protect or screen very large plants with cedar-
bouglis ; therefore we must protect them otherwise.

We have found rough houses, made of light boards,
to answer this purpose perfectly.

Those we use vary greatly with the size of the
])lant : some are so small one man can place them ;
others so large it takes half a dozen men to put them
in position.

They are not ornamental, but could easily be
made so, though this would increase their weight.
The matter of appearance is of little importance, as
they are in use only from the middle of December
to the first of April. In their construction we must
bear in mind that they are not to protect against
cold, but only against direct wind ; so we must not

GROUPING. 43

make them tiglit. Those we use are made with a
sloping roof, the joints battened to keep rain from
leaking on to the plant ; the sides of light boards,
nailed about an eighth of an inch apart, to allow a
free circulation of air. The northerly side is in one
piece, and is secured by screws : in the middle of
this side is a square window, a foot or more wide,
which is covered with a piece of white cotton-cloth.
The house is moved on from the southerly side, then
the northerly side is screwed on, and the plant is
housed for the whiter. AYith this protection, the
standards come out in the spring with fresh foliage
and in splendid condition.

When not in use, the houses are stored in some
remote shed.

GROUPING

Is of great importance for effective display. The
different species and varieties differ greatly in habit
and foliage. Some are only suitable for the front of
the bed ; others look well only in the background.
Color of flower also enters as an element in planting
for effective display.

While experience in this must be, in a measure,
the teacher, some hints may be given which may
prove advantageous.

Thus, of two fine white-flowered varieties, both
excellent and equally hardy, album elegans is a tall-
grower, and only suited for the middle or rear of a
bed ; and coriaceum is very dwarf, and in any posi-
tion but the front would be lost.

44 THE EHODODENDRON.

In Part II. we shall give the habit of the variety
where it is peculiar, in order to aid the planter.

Rhododendrons are particularly adapted for speci-
mens, and never look better than when so planted.
Large masses are, however, very effective in foliage,
and of wonderful magnificence when in flower. In
their native habitats the plants grow in huge masses,
and any one who has seen a Southern " Laurel
swamp" in bloom will never forget its beauty.
Some of the hills of the Alleghany Mountains pre-
sent masses of Rhododendrons, than which one can-
not find a finer sight in the floral kingdom. We
can, in cultivation, excel nature in variety, if not in
quantity. We have masses of Rhododendrons which,
when in bloom, are sheets of color, — white, pink,
scarlet, and purple ; and no more beautiful sight can
be imagined.

In planting masses, regard need not be had to
keeping the plants separate. Give each room to
develop, and then let the branches mingle : the
effect is far more natural and beautiful. Varieties
should also be arranged as to color to present the
best contrasts when in bloom : this is easily done by
selecting named kinds. Those which bloom at the
same season should be planted together : there is a
difference of many weeks in the flowering of species
and varieties.

Thus, Rhododendron dauricum blooms with the cro-
cuses ; but R. Mrsiitum not until the middle of June.
R. grandiflorum is with us a week earlier than any
of the Catawbiense hybrids ; while R. Hannibal is
the latest of all, seldom blooming until all the others

GROUPING. 45

have faded. R. maxirmim does not bloom until after
the first of July.

Those kinds which bloom very early or very late
should be planted as specimens, or in masses by
themselves ; thus a continuous and effective bloom
may be obtained.

In the new seedlings, many are late bloomers ;
and this is a great gain, as thus the Rhododendron
season is prolonged.

In grouping, some attention should be paid to
foliage : the flower lasts only a few weeks, the foliage
the whole year ; therefore those varieties with great-
est breadth of foliage, of a bright or very dark green,
should be chosen for the front of the bed.

PART 11.

DESCRIPTION OP THE RHODODENDRON.

PAET IL
DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODEXDROIsr.

Rhododendron Ponticum.

^ I ^HIS species has been longest in cultivation, and
-*- there are in England many very large plants.
It does not gTow very tall, the largest of which we
have any record being about fifteen feet high ; but it
spreads its branches over a large space, and is not
unfrequently found thirty feet in diameter. Many
of the large plantations in England are of this species,
and it is extensively planted for game covers, as the
buds are not eaten by rabbits. Seedlings are very
easily raised, and are furnished by nurserymen for
about twenty shillings per hundred for flowering
plants a foot high. It grows freely in any good
loam, and flowers abundantly.

The flowers are purplish, and, though in the mass
very showy, are wanting in substance. The foliage,
though good, is by no means so handsome as in
many other species.

This species is a native of Armenia, the Levant,
Georgia, the Caucasus, and various parts of Asia
extending to the Himalaya Mountains.

3

50 THE RHODODENDRON.

It is not hardy in New England, and probably
would not succeed well north of Philadelphia ;
although it would doubtless survive with a slight
protection, or even unprotected in ordinary winters,
south of New York. Where it is hardy, its cheap-
ness, and the facility with which it adapts itself to
different soils, render it a most desirable plant for
massing on hill-sides and in open woods. Figured
in Bot. Mag. 18, t. 650.

There are many hybrid varieties and named seed-
lings, some hardier than the species and very well
worth growing. Of these we may especially men-
tion : —

E. P. FOL. ARGENTEIS, FOL. AUREIS, FOL. MARGINATIS,

The kinds with silver and gold striped foliage
which are desirable, as the markings are distinct
and permanent. The plants grow freely, and are
ornamental. The flowers are poor. Our plants
are wintered in a cold cellar, and planted out in
summer.

Yariety Cunningham's Dwarf White.

This is the hardiest of the pontic varieties, and
has with us stood the winter perfectly well for the
last four years.

The foliage is more glossy, and brighter, than in
the species ; and the flowers vary from pink to pure
white.

It is a rapid grower, though of dwarf habit ; and
flowers very freely. For forcing there is nothing

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 51

better, as even in a parlor window it will bloom in a
few weeks after being brought from the cellar.

Plants may be imported for about fifty cents each.

We heartily recommend this variety for general
planting.

Yariety album. This is merely a white-flowered
variety of the species, and is only desirable for
planting with it for contrast.

Yariety salicifoliu^i and cheiranthifolium, the
willow and wall-flower leaved, are very pretty for
contrast, the foliage being narrow and somewhat
curled. The flowers are small ; pale purple. Our
plants do well wintered in the cellar.

Yariety azaleoides is a hybrid with some species
of azalea. The leaves are small, and the flower not
especially showy ; th*e plant is dwarf, and suitable
for the borders of beds. With us it has stood eight
winters, flowering freely ; but the leaves are liable
to be browned by the winter's sun without protection.

A sub-variety, crispiflonim, figured in lUus. Hort.
5, t. 181, has very showy flowers ; rich pink, with
wavy petals.

Yariety pictum is very distinct, and worthy a
place in the choicest collection ; color white, with
very dark spots on upper petals ; requires cellar
protection in winter.

Found in catalogues as Loioii.

Yariety multimaculatum is a very neat variety ;
flowers white, spotted with red ; tender.

52 THE RHODODENDRON.

Yariety niyaticum is a very fine flower ; wliite,
spotted with pale yellow; tender.

Yariety blandum, a good pale blush kind ; tender.

Yariety roseum has rosy flowers, not especially
desirable with so many better flowers of the color ;
tender.

Yariety aucub^folium is a very distinct kind, with
spotted leaves. The flowers are light lilac, and very
pretty. It has stood the winter with us for three
years uninjured.

Yariety tortulosum has light green and curiously
contorted foliage. It is only desirable as a cui^i-
osity.

Yariety flore pleno is desirable if any one wishes
a double-flowered Rhododendron. The color is pale
purple, the flower of good form ; but it is wanting
in the simplicity and beauty of the single varieties.

It seems tolerably hardy, having stood the last
four winters with us in a northern exposure, the
flower-buds surviving, and the foliage only being
slightly browned one year.

Yariety hyacinthiflorum is another double-flow-
ered kind, and open to the same objection as the
last-mentioned. The flowers are very double ; and
the plant is a good grower, and blooms freely.

It has proved hardy with us.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 53

Variety Yervaneanum is also double-flowered.
We cannot speak as to its hardiness.

Variety guttatum is delicate and pretty. The
flowers are white, distinctly spotted. Well worth
growing, but tender.

There are other yarieties, varying in color from
deep purple to pure white, some very pretty and
desirable, and all worth planting for experiment.

It is impossible to tell whether these will prove
hardy, and the only course is for each cultivator to
try them for himself. As the plants are very cheap,
the experiment cannot prove expensive.

We have given descriptions of those which we
have grown at Glen Ridge, and probably any which
we have found hardy will prove so anywhere south
of the latitude of Boston. We do not, however,
advise the amateur who only plants a few Rhododen-
drons to choose any of the pontic varieties. They
are less showy than others, and may be cut off at
any time by a winter of mmsual severity.

Rhododendron iMAxiMmr.

This is the Rose Bay, or Great Laurel, of the New
England States ; and is found plentifully from south-
ern New England southward. The farthest north-
ern limit is a swamp near Sebago Lake, near
Portland, Me. ; it next occm^s in a large swamp on
the banks of Charles River, in Medfield, Mass., and
next in a swamp in Randolph, south of the Blue
HiU.

54 THE RHODODENDRON.

In Medfield it was till recently very abundant,
and flowered so freely that we have seen wagon
loads of flowers gathered : but the tall trees which
sheltered it have been cut down, and the plants in
many places chopped off even with the ground. So
a few years hence, it may be extinct in that locality.

The plant is a tall grower, of loose habit ; foliage
large, dark green above, rusty or whitish beneath.
The flowers are small, white or pinkish, with yel-
lowish-green spots on the upper petals.

This species is the latest blooming Rhododendron
we have, never blooming until after the first of
July, in New England.

It is common in cultivation, the plants having
been brought from the swamps ; and plants are often
seen for sale at the large markets, in the spring. It
is, however, the least desirable of all the Rhododen-
drons, its only merit being its late flowering. For
large masses on the banks of ponds or on shady
hill-sides, it is to be recommended, as it is perfectly
hardy. It will not bear drought, however, as well
as other species, and does not do well in full sun-
shine. The only losses of Rhododendrons from the
excessive drought of the past summer (1870), at
Glen Ridge, have been large plants of Rhododendron
maximum. Figured in Bot. Mag. 24, t. 951; in
Michaux, vol. 3, pi. 4 ; and in Big. Med. pi. 51.

In English magazines we find mentioned as varie-
ties maximum alburn^ purpureum^ and Wellsianum.
The first is probably little different from the species,
and is the R. Pursliii of Loudon. The second is

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 53

the R. pnrpureum of Pursh, which never existed as
a species, is not now recognized, and is probably
some hybrid of R. Oatawbiense. Of the last we have
been able to obtain no information. It is said by a
writer in the " Cottage Gardener " to have " pink
flowers, fine foliage, and to be of good habit ; " if so,
it must be indeed desirable.

Rhododendron dauricum.

This charming species we place among the most
desirable of Rhododendrons, not so much for the
beauty of the individual flowers as for its hardiness,
its early blooming, and the abundance of blossoms.
It is a native of Siberia and Eastern Asia. The
foliage is deciduous; the flowers are rosy-purple, and
appear in very early spring before the leaves. A
mass of this plant is a charming object in early
spring; and no collection, however small, should be
without it.

Figured in And. Rep. 1, 4; Lodd. Cab. 605 and
1446. Bot. Mag. 17, t. 636.

Variety atrovirens is also a native of Siberia, and
differs only from the species in having dark ever-
green leaves, which render it more desirable, as when
in bloom it is more effective.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 44, t. 1888 ; and in Lodd.
Cab. t. 1584, under the name of sempervirens.

These plants naturally grow tall and spindling,
and are much benefited by careful pruning.

They may be imported for about fifty cents a
plant.

5Q THE EHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron californicum.

This species is a native of California, and is well
worthy of cultivation wherever it proves hardy.
The chances are, it will not stand the winters in
New England. In England it is hardy, a writer
in the ''Cottage Gardener" calling it the " hardiest
Rhododendron " he has " met with, standing wind
well."

The flowers are rosy, very showy ; and the habit
of the plant is good. Figured in Bot. Mag. 81,
t. 4863.

Rhododendron arboreum.

A noble species, native of Nepal, attaining larger
size than any of the family, the trunks being found
twenty feet high and twenty-four inches in diameter.
The foliage is large, dark green above, silvery be-
neath ; the flowers bright scarlet, in dense heads.

This species varies much in the color of the
flowers : in the wild state they are found of every
shade, from deep scarlet to pure white ; and in culti-
vation numerous varieties have been raised, differing
greatly in color, markings, and size of flowers, and
in foliage.

Some of these are among the most valuable Rho-
dodendrons for greenhouse culture and for forcing.
With us all are tender, and require greenhouse
protection. As they bloom very early in the spring,
they are not suitable for outdoor culture, even if
protected by removal to the cellar in winter. For

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 57

a tender Ehododendron house they are perfectly
adapted, and ftirnish a variety of brilliant colors
not to be found in other species.

The species is figured in Bot. Reg. 11, t. 890 ;
Hook, Ex. Fl. t. 168 ; Pax. Mag. 1, p. 101, and 2,
p. 98 ; Sheet's, FL G. 250.

The following are native varieties : —

Variety album has white flowers, with delicate
purple spots. FigTu-ed in Bot. Mag. 61, t. 3290 ;
and Bot. Reg. 20, t. 1681.

Variety roseum has bright rosy flowers. In its
native country this variety is higher up the moun-
tains than the scarlet species, and is hardier. Figiu^ed
in Bot. Reg. 15, t. 1210 ; and in Sweet's Fl. G. t. 339.

Variety niveum is a charming variety, with white
flowers, spotted with pm-ple. Figured in Sweet's, FL.
G. t. 118.

Variety cinnamomeum has rosy-white flowers,
spotted with brown. The foliage is rusty on the
under side. A very showy plant. Figured in Bot.
Mag. 67, t. 3825.

The figure in Bot. Reg. 23, t. 1982, under this
name, is a different plant.

Variety Paxtoni is a fine kind, with deep crimson
flowers of great substance. Figured in Pax. Mag.
14, p. 99.

This variety should not be confounded Avith the
Cataivbieme hybrid of the same name.

3*

58 THE RHODODENDRON.

The following are hybrid varieties : —

Variety Russellianum is a hybrid between Cataw-
hiense and arboreiim; color, bright crimson. Fig-
ured in Sweet's, Fl. G-. 2, t. 91.

Variety Smithii coccinea has scarlet flowers,
beautifully spotted ; a hybrid between B. ponticum
and arbor eiwi. Figured in Sweet's Fl. G. 2, t. 50.

Variety alta-clarense was raised from B. arbo-
reu77i, fertilized with a seedling between ponticum
and Catawbiense. The flower is clear, bright, trans-
parent scarlet, and the foliage very rich. Figured
in Bot. Reg. 17, t. 1414 ; and in Bot. Mag. 62,
t. 3423.

Variety undulatum is a hybrid with B. ponticum.
The flowers are deep, shaded purple ; and the foliage
has a peculiar, wavy form. Figured in Sweet's Fl.
G-. t. 341.

Variety album speciosum, figured in Illus. Hort.
1, t. 1, has white flowers, beautifully spotted with

•J
crimson.

There are many other fine hybrids, and new ones
are constantly produced. All are showy in flower ;
but many popular this year will be lost a few years
hence, giving place to varieties of newer origin.
Some of the old varieties we have mentioned still
hold their place as standard kinds, and are as yet
unsurpassed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 59

The tendency now is to raise hardy Rhododen-
drons ; but the tender kinds should not be neglected,
as they comprise some of the most beautiful of the
family.

Many other hybrids, in which the blood of B.
arboreum is mingled, are mentioned in future pages.
Indeed, it is to this species we owe much of the
high coloring found in some of the most popular
varieties.

Ehododendron albiflorum.

A very distinct and beautiful species, native of
high regions in the Rocky Mountains. It is a low
shrub, bearing the leaves in tufts at the ends of the
branches, and below them a few small drooping
creamy-white flowers, which bear little resemblance
to those of other Rhododendrons. It first bloomed
in England in 1837, but probably is not now in
cultivation. Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 3670, and in
Hook. Fl. Bor. Am., vol. 2, p. 43, t. 133.

Rhododendron anthopogon

Is a small-flowered species, with rusty leaves and
yellowish- white flowers, not especially ornamental.
It is not hardy. A native of the Himalayas. Fig-
ured in Bot. Mag. 68, t. 3947.

Rhododendron campanulatum.

This is a magnificent species, native of the moun-
tain of Gosainthan, in Nepal. In England it is

60 THE RHODODENDRON.

liardy, but the flowers expand so early as to be
often injured by the frost ; therefore, with us it would
require house protection. The flowers are rosy-
lavender, witli dark spots ; the foliage deep green,
rusty underneath. Figin^ed in Bot. Mag. Q6, t. 3759 ;
and in Sweet's, Fl. Gc. II. t. 241.

The variety B. c. superbum (Pax. Mag. 16, p. 190)
has waxy white flowers, spotted with crimson-purple.

Rhododendron caugasicum.

This is a small species, in its native country
forming a low shrub, with procumbent branches ; a
native of the Caucasus, on high rocks, near the
limits of perpetual snow.

The flowers are white, tinged with purple or rose.

It is a desirable species, and should prove hardy
with slight protection. Figured in Bot. Mag. 28,
t. 1145.

Variety stramineum has straw-colored flowers, and
is a very handsome plant. Figured in Bot. Mag.
62, t. 3422.

Variety album is a hybrid with the white variety
of Azalea pontica, and resembles an Azalea more
than a Rhododendron. Figured in Bot. Mag. 67
t. 3811.

Variety pulcherrimum is a hybrid between arbo-
reum and caucasicum. The flowers are rosy, and
very showy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 61

Variety Nobleanum has bright scarlet flowers,
and is a very beautiful kind. There are also sub-
varieties with rose and pink flowers ; but that called
Nobleanum siiperbum is the best.

Rhododendron chrysanthum.

This pretty little species is a native of Siberia and
other extreme northern countries : it is also found
in the Caucasus Mountains. It is a low shrub, never
exceeding one foot in height, with evergreen leaves,
and large, irregular, yellow flowers.

While perfectly hardy, it is difficult to cultivate,
the heat of summer probably aflecting it unfavorably.
It is rarely found in cultivation. Figured in Wood.
Med. 2, 103 ; and in Steph. Med. 2, 80.

Rhododendron punctatum.

This pretty species, although a native of Carolina
and Georgia, generally stands the winter with us ;
although the foliage is usually somewhat disfigured,
and the flower-buds are killed if the mercury falls
much below zero. The foliage is dark green, covered
below with rusty dots, whence the name ; the flow-
ers are small, pink, very pretty, but not especially
showy. The habit of the plant is straggling. It is
worth growing in a collection, but is only interesting
for variety. Seedlings vary much in shade and
markings of the flowers.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 49, t. 2285 ; Bot. Reg. 1,
t. 37; and And. Rep. l,t. 36.

Sometimes called M. minus.

62 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron hirsutum.

A low-growiiig species, and the most common of
the dwarf Rhododendrons. The leaves are small,
evergreen, thickly covered with rusty hairs ; the
flowers pale red, in small clusters.

Native of the Alps, and one of the flowers most
commonly sent home in collections of Alpine plants.
This and R. ferrugineum are known as the " Alpen
Rose."

This plant is useful for the edges of beds of Amer-
ican plants, but is not showy. Figured in Bot. Mag.
43, t. 1853.

Variety variegatum is a more showy plant than
the species, and the foliage variegated with yellow
is very pretty. It can be readily obtained from
England, but is not common.

Rhododendron ferrugineum.

Although this plant and the last are considered
by some botanists as but varieties of one species,
the differences are quite sufficient to abundantly
distinguish them. The foliage of R. ferrvgineum
is smooth above, rusty and dotted below, and far
larger than R. hirsutum ; the flowers are also much
larger, lighter-colored, and the habit of the plant is
taller. The buds seldom open until other Rhodo-
dendrons, except R. maximum^ are out of bloom ;
and this renders it a very valuable species.

DESCRIPTION OP THE RHODODENDRON. 63

The blossoms cover tlie whole plant, and, though
not brilliant in color, in the mass are very showy.
It stands the coldest winters uninjured, will grow
in any moist garden soil, and never fails to bloom.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. Qd, though the flower is
too bright in color.

Variety albl^i, figured in Sweet's, Fl. G. 11.
t. 258, has white flowers. We do not now find it
in any catalogues.

Ehododendron lapponicum.

A small Alpine species, growing about six inches
high, with small violet-purple flowers. We have not
seen it in cultivation, although it can easily be
obtained from the White Mountains. Probably, like
all Alpines, it would prove of difficult cultivation.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 58, t. 3106.

Rhododendron kamtschatictoi.

A low-growing species, with purple flowers, native
of Kamtschatka ; probably not now to be found in
cultivation.

Rhododendron cham^cistus.

This species, in foliage, is wholly unlike a Rho-
dodendron, the leaves rather resembling some species
of thyme. It is a, native of the European Alps and
of Siberia ; and would probably prove hardy, with

64 THE EHODODENDRON.

slight protection, such as a winter covering of pine-
needles, as it never exceeds a few inches in height.

The flowers are large, for the plant ; pale purple,
and very handsome.

Figured in Pax. Mag. 3, p. 169 ; Bot. Mag. 14,
t. 488 ; Lodd. Cab. 1491.

We now come to the most showy of the family,
the magnificent species of the Sikkim Himalayas.
Of these we can only briefly cite from English
authorities. We have had no experience in their
culture. They are all tender, — many true green-
house plants ; others will stand a few degrees of frost.
These latter are worthy of cultivation in a Rhodo-
dendron-house.

The magnificent work of Hooker, on the " Rho-
dodendrons of the Sikkim Himalaya," from which
we derive most of our information, gives beautiful
colored figures of these noble species. We have
also given references to such figures as we have
been able to find in other illustrated works ; but our
notice of all these species must necessarily be
brief, and can only serve to call the attention of
the amateur to the wealth of floral beauty which is
within his reach.

All the best species can now be obtained of Eng-
lish nurserymen, and many fine hybrids have been
originated within the last ten years.

We also mention some of the tropical Rhododen-
drons: species of easy growth with stove-heat,
many of which are exquisitely beautiful, and some
deliciously fragrant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 65

Rhododendron Dalhousi^.

This species, one of the noblest of the family, pro-
duces flowers three to four inches in diameter ; white,
tinged with rose, and very fragrant.

It is parasitical on the trunks of oaks and mag-
nolias, in its native habitat ; but in cultivation does
not require the treatment of an epiphyte, growing
freely in the ground or inarched on other species.
No description can do justice to its beauty ; but some
idea may be formed by reference to the illustrations
in Hook. Rhod. tab. 1 and 2 ; Bot. Mag. 79, t. 4718,
and 88, t. 5322 ; Fl. des Serres, 5, t. 460-468.

Rhododendron barbatum.

A tall-growing species, attaining the height of
sixty feet ; the leaf-stalks covered with long bristles,
or hairs. The flowers are blood-color, in a close,
compact head ; very handsome. This species has
proved hardy in England. Figured in Hook. Rhod.
pi. 3 ; and Fl. des Serres, 5, t. 469-472.

Rhododendron LANCiPOLimr.

A shrubby species, with lanceolate, coriaceous
leaves, and small, close heads of rich crimson
flowers ; nearly allied to the foregoing, but wholly
destitute of hairs.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 4.

Q6 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Wallichii.

A shrub attaining a height of about eight feet,
with showy foliage, and large lilac flowers, with
rosy dots. In foliage this species is distinct from all
others.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 5. It is, however,
regarded as a form of M. campanulatum^ and as such
is figured in Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4928.

Rhododendron Campbelli^.

A species often attaining the height of forty feet,
and only distinguished slightly, botanically, from R.
arhorewn. Flowers scarlet, in close heads.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 6.

Rhododendron Roylh.

A low-growing shrub, with brownish-red flowers,
tipped with blue ; not a very showy species.
Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 7.

Rhododendron cinnabarinum.

A small species, very distinct both in foliage and
flower ; the former beautifully reticulated, the latter
of a fine cinnabar color.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 8.

Variety pallidum has fine rose-colored flowers, in
an irregular terminal umbel. Figured in Bot. Mag.
80, t. 4788.

DESCEIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 67

Rhododendron el^agnoides.

A little known, low-growing species, from the
snowy regions of the Himalayas. The flowers are
usually yellow, but vary to deep-red pm-ple.

Figured in Hook. Ehod. pi. 23.

Rhododendron argenteuini.

A tall-growing, magnificent species, with leaves
a foot long, by three or four inches in breadth.
Mowers white, two or three inches long, and as
much in diameter.

Figured in Hook. Ehod. pi. 9; Bot. Mag. 84,
t. 5054; and Fl. des Serres, 5, t. 473-4T6.

Rhododendron Falconeri.

A large tree, with immense leaves, downy on the
under side ; and heads of numerous, small, white
flowers. A very distinct and striking species.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4924 ; Fl. des Serres
5, t. 477, 480, and 11, t. 1166-67 ; Hook. Rhod.
pi. 10.

Rhododendron yaccinioides.

A very small, straggling, epiphytal species, much
resembling in growth and appearance the Himalaya
vaccinum (F. obovatimi). The flowers are un-
known.

68 THE EHODODENDKON.

Rhododendron niveum.

A species much resembling B. arhoreum, but dis-
tinguished by the snow-white under surface of the
foliage. Flowers light lavender-white color.

Figured in Lem. Jar. t. 421 ; and Bot. Mag. 79,
t. 4730.

Rhododendron oboyatum.

A small, resinous shrub, with small red flowers ;
nearly allied to R. lepidotum.

Rhododendron lepidotum.

A species with small flowers, existing in two
varieties ; the one with yellow, the other with red-
dish-purple flowers.

It is a pretty species. Although native of high
mountains, it would probably prove tender.

Figured in Lem. Jar. pi. 343 ; Bot. Mag. 78, t.
4657, and 80, t. 4802.

Rhododendron Aucklandh.

A magnificent species, the flowers often measuring
five inches in diameter. Color white, tinged with
pink. Leaves four to ten inches long, bright green.

Fignired in Revue Hort. 1855, 5 ; Hook. Rhod.
pi. 11.

This plant is sometimes referred to R. GriJ,
ianum, as a variety. See Bot. Mag. 84, t. 5065.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EHODODENDEON. 69

Khododendron Thomsoni.

A shrubby species, noticeable for the deep blood-
red color of the flowers, and their glossy surface.
Foliage roundish.

Figiu-ed in Fl. des Serres, 7, t. 688-690 ; Hook.
Ehod. pi. 12 ; Bot. Mag. 83, t. 4997 ; Revue Hort.
1855, t. 7.

Rhododendron pendulum.

An epiphytal species, native of damp, gloomy
forests, on the branches of pine-trees. Shoots long,
straggling ; leaves dull green, rusty below ; flowers
small, white. Figured in Fl. des Serres, 7, t. 662 ;
and Hook. Rhod. pi. 13.

Rhododendron pumilum.

This is the smallest of the Sikkim Rhododendrons,
and one of the rarest and most beautiful. Leaves
about half an inch long ; flowers very delicate rose-
color.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 7, t. 667; and Hook.
Rhod. pi. 14.

Rhododendron Hodgsoni.

A common Himalaya species, forming immense
masses of jungle. Foliage large ; deep, brilliant
green. Flowers in close heads, pale purple or rose-
color.

70 THE EHODODENDRON.

Figured in Revue Hort. 1855, 22 ; Hook. Rhod.
pi. 15 ; Bot. Mag. 92, t. 5552.

Rhododendron lanatum.

A small tree-like species ; leaves yellowish-green,
tawny white below. Flower pale sulphur-colored,
with red dots. A very pretty plant.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 7, t. 684; and in Hook.
Rhod. pi. 16.

Rhododendron glaucum.

A pretty little plant, with glaucous foliage and
pale purplish-pink flowers.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 79, t. 4721 ; Revue Hort.
1855, t. 11 ; Hook. Rhod. pi. 17 ; Fl. des Serres, 7,
t. 672.

Rhododendron Maddeni.

A magnificent plant, with large, campanulate,
white flowers, often tinged with pink. Foliage clear
green, tawny below.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 80, t. 4805 ; Fl. des Serres,
9, t. 912 ; Hook. Rhod. 18 ; Revue Hort. 1855,
16 ; nius. Hort. 1857, t. 140.

Rhododendron triflorum.

A small shrub, with pale greenish-yellow flowers
much resembling an azalea, growing in clusters of
three.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 71

Figui^ed in Fl. des Serres, 7, t. 673 ; Hook. Rhod.
pi. 19.

RhODODENT)RON SETOSUINI.

A small-growing species, much resembling a
Rhodora in habit and flower. Leaves box-like, and
evergreen ; flowers purplish, freely produced. The
whole plant is strongly and disagreeably resinous.
A native of the highest mountains, and very showy
when in bloom. It would probably be hardy.

Figured in Hook. Ehod. pi. 20.

Rhododendron Edgeworthi.

An epiphytal species, with superb flowers and
neat, small foliage. Flowers white, tinged with
blush or pale yellow, often four inches in diameter.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 8, t. 797-8 ; Hook.
Rhod. pi. 21 ; Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4936.

Rhododendron ^ruginostoi.

A shrubby species, native of altitudes 15,000 feet
above the level of the sea. Flowers lilac-rose, in
small, close heads.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 22.

Rhododendron saligneum.

A slender plant, with pale glaucous-green, droop-
ing leaves. Flower light yellow, spotted with
green, about an inch in diameter. A pretty species.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 23.

72 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron ch^iatum.

A small shrub, attaining the height of two feet ;
the whole plant hairy. Leaves dark green. Flower
pale redclish-pnrple, very pretty. This species is
one of the most easily grown of the Sikkim kinds,
and flowers freely.

Figured in Pax. Fl. G. t. 83 ; and Hook. Rhod.
pi. 24.

Variety roseo album differs in having rosy-white
flowers, and, like the species, blooms freely when
only a few inches high. This was the first of the
Sikkim species which flowered in cultivation.

Figured in Lem. Jar. t. 312 ; Bot. Mag. 78, t.
4648 ; Fl. des Serres, 8, t. 766.

Rhododendron fulgens.

A native of high latitudes, and a very showy
plant. Flowers in round, close heads, of a deep,
glowing scarlet color. Foliage roundish; tawny
below.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 88, t. 5317 ; Fl. des Serres,
8, t. 789 ; Hook. Rhod. pi. 25.

Rhododendron nivale.

A little plant, growing only two inches high, and
attaining " a loftier elevation than any other shrub
in the world." It much resembles R. lapponicum.
The foliage is very small ; the flower about one-

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 73

third of an incli in diameter, purple. The whole
plant has an odor resembling cologne.
Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 26.

Rhododendron virgatum.

A very slender, twiggy species, from Bootan.
Flowers reddish-purple, solitary or in pairs. Foliage
very glaucous.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 26.

See also Bot. Mag. 84, t. 5060; and Fl. des
Serres, 14, t. 1408, for varieties which differ, in
having pink and white flowers, and in their disposi-
tion,— which is in the one axillary, in the other
terminal.

Rhododendron Wighth.

A very large tree, with showy foliage ; rusty cin-
namon-color below, rich green on the upper sur-
face. Flowers bell-shaped, in dense clusters ; yellow,
beautifully marked with red. A splendid species.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 8, t. 792-3; Hook.
Rhod. pi. 27.

Rhododendron camelli^florum.

A singular epiphytal species, found growing
upon pine-trees. Stems slender ; foliage small ;
flowers white, resembling a single camellia.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 28 ; and Bot. Mag.
82, t. 4932.

4

74 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron candelabruini.

This plant, of which a beautiful figure is
given in Hook. Ehod. pi. 29, is considered by Dr.
Hooker as a pale-flowered variety of R. Thomsoni.
(Hook. Ehod. pi. 12.) There are, however, some
slight botanical differences between the two.

Rhododendron campylocarpum.

This species is a small shrub, and is one of
the most charming of the Sikkim Rhododendrons.
Foliage bright green ; flowers bell-shaped, sulphur-
yellow, spotless, and fragrant.

Figured in Hook. Rhod. pi. 30 ; Bot. Mag. 83,
t. 4968.

Rhododendron Nh^agiricum.

This plant much resembles R. arbor eum, of
which it may prove a variety. By some, however,
it is considered identical with R. Camphellice. It is
a native of Nepal, and bears large trusses of rosy-
pink and white flowers.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 10, t. 1030-1 ; and
Bot. Mag. 74, t. 4381.

Rhododendron formosum

Is a native of Silhet, in the east Himalaya range.
The flowers are large, white, fragrant, and very
showy.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 75, t. 4457.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 75

Rhododendron Gibsoni

Is a very fine species, with large, white flowers,
with yellowish shading. The young foliage resem-
bles an azalea.

Figured in Pax. Mag. 8, p. 217 ; and Fl. des
Serres, 1, t. 18.

Rhododendron jayanicum.

This is a tropical species, but will thrive and
bloom freely in a warm greenhouse. The foliage is
bright glossy green ; the flowers orange-yellow, but
very variable in shade.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 73, t. 4336 ; Pax. Mag. 15,
p. 217 ; Fl. des Serres, 3, t. 293-4.

Yariety aurantiacum (Fl. des Serres, 6, t. 576)
has trusses of vivid orange flowers, lighted with rosy
tints.'

Rhododendron citrinum.

This small species is also a native of Java. The
flowers are small, drooping, light yellow.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 80, t. 4797 ; and in Fl. des
Serres, 10, t. 970. /

Rhododendron jasminiflorum.

This elegant species is a native of Malacca. The
flowers are tubular, white, with deep pink eye ; the

76 THE RHODODENDRON.

foliage neat and showy. From this species some
beautiful hybrids have been produced.

Figured in Lem. Jar. t. 41 ; Bot. Mag. 76, t.
4524 ; Illus. Hort. 1859, t. 203.

Rhododendron CnAMPiONiE.

This beautiful species is a native of Hong Kong.
Botanically, it is nearly allied to R. for mo sum. The
foliage is distinctly veined ; the flowers rosy, or red-
dish-pink, shading to a white throat, with broad,
spreading petals.

A variety is described with delicate, white flowers,
the upper lip pale yellow, towards the centre copi-
ously dotted with ochre.

Figured in Lem. Jar. t. 208 ; and Bot. Mag. 77,
t. 4609.

Rhododendron Farrer^

Figured in Sweet's Fl. G. 2, t. 93, is a small,
pink-flowered species from China. The flowers are
very pretty, resembling azaleas. Probably not in
cultivation.

Rhododendron Metternichi.

This is a Japanese species, a native of high
mountains, and would doubtless prove hardy.
The flowers are rather small, rosy-white, something-
like those of R. maximum.

Figured in Sieb. Fl. Jap. pi. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 77

Rhododendron album.

A very pretty Javanese species, with whitish-yel-
low flowers ; foliage dark green, rich rust-color
below.

In habit this species resembles R. citrinum. A
stove plant.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 83, t. 4972.

Rhododendron Batemani

Resembles as a species R. campanulatum. Flowers
large, deep crimson-red. Native of Himalaya.
Figured in Bot. Mag. 89, t. 5387.

Rhododendron blandfordianuim.

A Himalayan species, very variable both in flower
and foliage. Color brick-red, orange, or even
greenish.

A fine figure is given in Illus. Hort. 3, t. 112.
See also Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4930 ; and Fl. des Serres,
11, t. 1173.

Rhododendron Boothii.

A very showy, tender species, from Central Asia.
Flowers small, bright yellow ; foliage, when young,
very hairy. Figured in Illus. Hort. 3, t. 174.

78 THE EHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Brookianum.

A rare and splendid kind, native of Borneo,
and, in its wild state, epiiDliytal. Flowers large,
rich golden yellow.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4935 ; and Fl. des
Serres, 12, t. 1238-9.

Rhododendron calophyllibi.

A fine species, native of the Bootan Mountains,
where Mr. Booth discovered sixteen new species,
emulating the example of Hooker, who found forty-
three in the Sikkim Himalayas.

Flowers large, white, very showy.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 83, t. 5002 ; also in Hen.
111. Bou. pi. 19.

Rhododendron grande.

A tall-growing species from India. Figured in
Wight, vol. 4, t. 1202.

Probably not in cultivation.

Rhododendron Griffithiantoi.

A fine species, with large, white flowers. Figured
in Wight, vol. 4, t. 1203. R. Aucklandii (Bot.
Mag. 84, t. 5065) is sometimes referred to this
species.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 79

Rhododendron Hookeri.

One of the Bootan species, of tall liabit, and only
found at high elevations. Flowers very regular, of
rich scarlet color.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4926.

Rhododendron Kendrickh.

A species with dark foliage, which varies much in
width. Flowers in large trusses, scarlet.

Figured in (variety latifoliuiii) Bot. Mag. 85,
t. 5129.

Rhododendron Keysii.

A very singular species, wholly dissimilar in
flower from all other Rhododendrons. The flowers
are dull red, tipped with pale yellow, and are pro-
duced in clusters from the old wood. In habit it is
a small shrub, a native of Bootan, and has proved
hardy in England.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 81, t. 4875; and Fl. des
Serres, 11, t. 1110.

Rhododendron moulmaynense.

A small, slender-growing species, producing deli-
cate white .flowers, tinged with yellow. Native of
Moulmain.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 82, t. 4904.

80 THE EHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Shepherdh.

One of the Bootaii kinds, much resembling R.
Kendrickii. Flowers deep scarlet, in large trusses.
Figured in Bot. Mag. 85, t. 5125.

Rhododendron Nuttallii.

A superb species ; in Bhotan, its native country,
forming a tree thirty feet high. The leaves are
nearly a foot long, and the single, white flowers
measure six inches in diameter. It is not a free
bloomer in cultivation. The flowers are white,
shaded to light yellow, and are very beautiful.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 85, t. 5146 ; Fl. des Serres,
13, t. 1326 ; Illus. Hort. 1859, t. 208 ; Hen. 111.
Bou. pi. 21.

Rhododendron retusum.

A native of western Java and Sumatra, generally
on high mountains. The flowers are small, but of a
bright scarlet color, very rich and showy ; foliage
bright evergreen.

A fine figure of this plant is given in Illus. Hort.
2, t. 76. See also Bot. Mag. 81, t. 4859 ; Fl. des
Serres, 10, t. 1044.

Rhododendron Smithii.

Another of the Bootan species. Foliage rich
dark green ; flowers rich red, in large, close heads.
Figured in Bot. Mag. 85, t. 5120.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 81

Rhododendron Yeichianum.

A magnificent species, from Moulmain. Flowers
very large and showy, white, with wavy petals, as in
some of the Indian azaleas.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 83, t. 4992 ; Fl. des Serres,
14, t. 1416, and 15, t. 1519-20.

Rhododendron Windsorii.

A Bootan species, which proves hardy in Eng-
land. Foliage dull, opaque green ; silvery below.
Flowers rosy-red or white.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 83, t. 5008.

Rhododendron Lobbianum.

A fine stove species, from Penang, intermediate
between R. javanicum and Brookianum. Foliage
bright evergreen ; flowers bright yellow.

Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. 10.

Rhododendron Thibaudiense.

This pretty species is nearly related to R. Keysii,
which it resembles in the peculiar form of the
flowers ; but, unlike that species, they are terminal,
and not produced on the old wood. It is a very
showy plant, native of Bhotan.

Figiu-ed in Fl. Mag. pi. 253.
4*

82 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Fortuni.

A Chinese species, resembling — both in foliage,
form of flower, and fragrance — R. Griffithianum ;
bnt differing in color of flower, which is in this
plant a delicate rose. Hardy in England.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 92, t. 5596.

It is not improbable that the next few years may
give us new species of these magnificent Rhododen-
drons. The mountains of Asia have proved won-
derfully rich in new plants, and seem the true
kingdom of this glorious flower. The beauty of
the species already known is such that it seems
impossible that finer kinds can be discovered. "We
have already beauty, size, and richness of foliage ;
color, size, symmetry, and fragrance of flower; and
good habit in the plant, — which leave us nothing
to expect and nothing to desire.

The varieties we now mention are hybrids, gen-
erally from species we have already described.

Rhododendron Aprilis.

A hybrid between ponticum and dauricu7n ; color
rose. Figured in Bot. Reg. 29, t. 62.
Probably lost from cultivation.

Rhododendron alstromerioides

Is a cross between an azalea and R. caucasicum
album. The flowers are prettily spotted, but there
are hundreds of better kinds.

Figured in Lem. Jar. t. 384.

description of the rhododendron. 83

Rhododendron Wilsoni,

Figured in Bot. Mag. 85, t. 5116, is a hybrid
between R. ciliatum and R. glaucum. The flowers
are rosy-red, and very pretty.

Rhododendron precox.

An early-blooming variety, raised from R. dau-
ricum atrovirens and ciliatum. The flowers are
bright rosy-lilac, and freely produced. Probably
hardy.

Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. b'^.

Rhododendron Prince of Wales (Rollinson's)

Is a hybrid between R. javanicum and retusum.
Flowers tubular, orange, very showy. Requires
stove culture.

Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. 155.

Rhododendron carneum.

Flowers pale pinkish-white, with green spots ; a
hybrid between R. arboreum and some variety of
Azalea sinensis.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 1816, t. 3.

Rhododendron Cartoni,

A seedling between Azalea nudiflora and Rhodo-
dendron Cataivbiense, has pretty purplish flowers,
with lighter centre, much resembling R. G-ovenior
num. The foliage is evergreen in ordinary winters.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 17, t. 1449.

84 THE EHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron caucasicum arboreum

Is a hybrid between R. arboreum and caucasicum.
The flowers are pink, and very pretty. Figured in
Maud. Bot. 4, p. 15T.

R. venustum of Sweet, Fl. G. 2, t. 285, is the
same plant.

Rhododendron Denisoni

Was raised from R. Dallwusicd, crossed with R.
Edg-eworthi and Gribsoni. The flowers are large,
white, lighted with straw-color.

Figured in Fl. Mag. p. 291.

Rhododendron albtoi speciosum.

A tender, white - flowered variety, beautifully
spotted.

Figin^ed in lUus. Hort. 1, t. 1.

Rhododendron Sesterianum.

A cross between R. Edgeworthi and G-ibsoni.
Flowers white, very large, marked with reddish-yel-
low spots.

Figured in Illus. Hort. 9, t. 345.

Rhododendron Princess Alexandra,

A hybrid from R. jasmimjlorum, has large, fra-
grant, white flowers, tinged with pink.
Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. 245.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 85

Rhododendron Princess Helena

"Was also raised from R. jasminiflorum, fertilized
with a scarlet seedling. The flowers are long,
tubular, bright pink, and very showy.

Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. 220.

Rhododendron Princess Alice

Is the result of crossing B. ciliatum and Edge-
worthi. The flowers are very large, pure white,
the buds tipped with pink.

Figured in Fl. Mag. pi. 206.

Rhododendron Madame Yan Houtte

Is a hybrid of B. maximum, and of course hardy.
The truss is very large, the flowers bright pinkish-
white.

Figured in Fl. des Serres, 15, t. 1606-7.

Rhododendron Othello (Yan Houtte)

Is also a hybrid from B. maximum, which it
resembles in the shape of the truss. Flowers deep
reddish-purple.

Fig-ured in Fl. des Serres, 12, t. 1274.

Rhododendron Grand Due de Bade

Is derived from the hybrid omniguttatum, fertil-
ized with B. cinnamomeum. The flowers are white,
flaked all over with dark reddish-purple.

Figured in Illus. Hort. 11, t. 423.

86 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Madame Wagner

Is a hybrid from R. caucasicum. The flowers are
white, edged with cherry, the petals crimped.
Figured in Illus. Hort. 2, t. QQ.

Rhododendron Madame Picouline

Is a hybrid between B. ferrugineiun and arbor eum.
The flowers are white, intensely spotted.
Figured in Illus. Hort. 3, t. 84.

Rhododendron omniguttatum

Is probably derived from R. po7iticum. Flower
small bright rose, beautifully marked with crimson.
Figured in Illus. Hort. 7, t. 244.

Rhododendron myrtifolium

Is a cross between R. hirsutum and 2^unctatum;
a hardy variety, suitable for small beds, or the
edges of larger ones. Flowers reddish-pink.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 908.

Rhododendron fragrans.

This is a chance seedling from R. Catawbiense,
probably hybridized with an azalea. The foliage
is fine evergreen ; the flowers pale purple, and fra-
grant. A desirable hardy variety.

Figured in Pax. Mag. 10, p. 14T.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 87

Rhododendron hybridum

Is a dwarf, neat variety, of uncertain parentage.
While very pretty, the foliage has with us been badly
cut up by the winter. The plant figured under this
name in Bot. Reg., 1. 195, is not that now known as
such.

Rhododendron Goyenianum.

This variety was produced from a hardy azalea,
crossed with a hybrid of R. ponticum and Cataw-
biense. With us it is not an evergreen, except in
very mild winters. Flowers fragrant, pale reddish-
purple ; habit slender, much resembling an azalea.

Figured in Sweet, Fl. G. 1, t. 263.

Rhododendron Torlonianum.

A hybrid, like the last, and in habit much resem-
bling it.

The flowers are whitish purplish-pink, but vary in
shade. Both this and the last variety suffer some-
what in severe winters ; and, while pretty, they are
not especially to be recommended.

Rhododendron arboreum cinnamomeum

Was raised from seed obtained by crossing B.
maximum with M. cinnamomeum. The foliage is
very large, and tawny below ; the truss large ;
flowers ^^hite, with dark purple spots.

Figured in Pax. Fl. G. p. 16.

88 THE EHODODENDRON.

Ehododendron Comtesse Ferdinand Yisant.

A seedling of Yan Houtte's, from R. campanula-
tu77i, fertilized with H. cinnamomewn. Flowers
creamy white, bordered with delicate rose.

Figaired in Fl. des Serres, 9, t. 935.

Rhododendron daphnoides.

This is a pretty dwarf variety, of which we have
been unable to find the origin. The flowers are pink
or rose-colored, and very pretty.

Rhododendron ovatum.

Another dwarf variety, with rosy flowers and neat
foliage. Both this and the last are generally hardy,
although the foliage often gets browned by the winter.

Rhododendron Countess of Haddington.

A hybrid, between R. Dalhousice and ciliatum;
of neat, evergreen habit, and large, white, blush-
tinted flowers. Figured in Hen. Illus. Bou. pi. 82.

Rhododendron aureum magnificibi.

This variety, which is probably the same as that
figured in Sweet, and which we have before men-
tioned under the name of R. Smithii awewn, is one
of a lot of seedlings produced by crossing a Rhodo-
dendron with a species of yellow azalea (^A. sinensis').
In habit they are robust ; the foliage is sub-ever-
green, partaking of the character of both parents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

89

The following list we copy from "Henderson's
Illustrated Bouquet," where a fine plate is given : —

Aureum magnijtcum
„ punctatum
„ superhum

Alhum Jiavum .

Bianca ....

Burlingtonii . .

Carneum versicolor

Congestum aureum
Gupreum

Delicatum aureum

Gloriosum
Jenhinsii

Macranthum jiavum
Ornatum . . .
Primulinum form osum
„ elegans .

clear bright yellow ; large truss,
primrose, spotted with orange,
fine yellow, deep orange spots,
blush white, orange-yellow spots,
pure white, yellow spots,
bright yellow; large truss,
yellow - pink edging, finely

spotted,
good yellow ; compact truss,
rich coppery - orange, suffused

with pink,
blush pink, with large blotch of

orange spots,
white, spotted with yellow,
lemon, tinged with pink ; large

truss,
shaded pink, with buff-yellow

centre.
sul^Dhur - yellow, with orange

spots ; large truss.
clear primrose - yellow, orange

spots,
light primrose, with pale spots ;

compact truss.

We are not aware that any of these have been
tested in this country, but hope soon to be able
to report from experience upon their merits and
hardiness.

90 THE RHODODENDRON.

Rhododendron Catawbiense.

Magnificent as are the flowers of the Himalayan
and Bhotan Rhododendrons, it is not too much to
say that our gardens owe more to this species than
to any other. A large proportion of the species and
varieties we have described are tender or preca-
riously hardy. But for the garden and shrubbery
we need plants which will endure any winter, and
for these we must look to the so-called " Cataw-
biense hybrids."

The species is a native of the Southern States,
usually upon the mountains. It is a tall shrub,
with lilac-purple flowers, evergreen foliage, and
quite a pretty species ; but the parent is seldom
grown, being lost in the multitude of seedling
varieties. To trace the parentage of these varieties
is generally impossible. They range in color from
rose or white to deep purple, and vary greatly in
foliage.

Every year hundreds of thousands of seedlings
are raised, the best of which receive names, and are
thrown upon the market: most of these, in turn,
give place to newer, yet often no better kinds,
although from the first there has been a steady
improvement in color, constitution, and foliage.

In the following list we have selected those which
the popular verdict in England has pronounced the
best. A large number of them are in our own coh
lection ; and we describe them as hardy or tender,
according to our experience.

DESCRIPTION OP THE RHODODENDRON. 91

Where figures of any have been given in illus-
trated periodicals, we have referred to the plate.
For convenience we give the list alphabetically.

Many of these have the blood of many species ;
and some, perchance, have no trace of Cataiubiense,
yet, as hardy garden Rhododendrons, their place
seems to be in this list, and, without vouching for
parentage, we call the class

Catawbiense Hybrids.

Achievement . . . One of Anthony Waterer's new

seedlings of 1870 ; rosy-scar-
let, with a clear white centre ;
very showy.

AcLANDiANUM . . . Delicate blush, deejDly spotted

with chocolate ; precariously
hardy.

AcuTiLOBUM .... Cherry -red, shaded ; truss large,

petals acute. Figured in
nius. Hort. 4, t. 149.

Admiration .... Bright rosy-crimson, very dark

spots.

Alaric Dark purple, shaded with crim-
son or plum color ; large truss
and flower ; hardy.

Alarm A very beautiful flower ; centre

white, edged with pale scar-
let or crimson ; flower rather
small; tender.

Album Pure white ; free bloomer, fine

foliage; hardy.

92

THE RHODODENDRON.

Album elegans

Album grandiflorum

Album triumphans
Alexander Adie .

Amilcar

Ambroise

Andersoni
Ange Vervaet

Annihilator . . .
Archeduc Etienne .

Archimedes . . .
Ascot Brilliant .

Blush, changing to white ; large
flower, tall habit, good foli-
age ; perfectly hardy.

Flower like the last, but some-
what larger ; truss large ; fine
foliage ; perfectly hardy.

A very fine white, large flower.

Brilliant rosy - scarlet ; close,
handsome truss.

Bright violet-purple, with a red-
dish tinge, intense blotch of
black spots on the upper
petal. Figured in Fl. Mag.
pi. 18.

White, bordered with rich cochi-
neal - red ; tender. Figured
in Fl. des Ser. 8, t. 945.

White ; good foliage ; hardy.

Clear pink, white throat, in-
tensely spotted with carmine.
Figured in Fl. des Ser. 18,
1870-1.

Bright rosy-scarlet.

White; upper petals deeply
spotted with maroon-brown.
Figured in Blus. Hort. 13,
t. 491.

Bright rosy-crimson, with lighter
centre ; very distinct ; hardy.

A seedling of John Standish,
from R. Blandyanum with R.
Thomsoni ; flowers deepest
blood -color, having the ap-
pearance of being crystallized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 93

Athene White, with yellow blotch.

Atrosanguineum: . . Deep blood-red ; flower of great

substance, fine foliage ; hardy.

Attila ■. Dark purple, shaded with crim-
son ; hardy.

Augustus Same as Alaric.

AuGUSTE Van Geert . Light rosy-purple, marked with

brown.

Aurora Bright rosy-lake ; free and late

bloomer.

Azureu:m Bluish-lilac ; hardy.

Barclayanum . . . Deep rosy-crimson ; fine truss

and foliage; late bloomer;
hardy.

Baron Cuvier . . . Lilac, chocolate blotch.

Baronesse Lionel ] White, with scarlet - crimson
Rothschild . . .j margin.

Bertie Parsons . . A seedling of Parsons & Co.,

of Flushino^, Lonoj Island ; of
good form, and lilac-pink or
mauve color, with brown eye ;
hardy.

BicoLOR Rose, clear white spot on the

upper petals ; hardy.

Bijou de Gand . . White, edged with rose, beauti-
fully spotted; tender. Fig-
ured m lUus. Hort. 7, t. 261.

Blanche superbe . . Waxy white, green eye.

Bland TANUM .... Deep rosy - crimson ; beautiful

flower ; fine habit and foliage ;
hardy.

Blatteum Claret - crimson, shaded and

spotted ; fine form and truss ;
precariously hardy.

94

THE RHODODENDRON.

Brabantia .... Dark rich crimson.

Brayanum. . . ,. . Vivid crimson, lighter centre;

fine foliage and truss ; a
dazzling flower ; generally
hardy.

Brennus Rich crimson-lake.

Brilliant Crimson-scarlet ; free bloomer,

dwarf habit ; same as Sun of
Austerlitz ; tender.

Broughtoni .... Eosy - crimson ; fine foliage ;

large truss ; tender.

Brutus Pale rose, large flower.

Btlsianum .... Clear white ground, the tips of

the petals edged with bright
crimson-pink ; a very beauti-
ful variety. Figured in Illus.
Hort. 5, t. 155; and Hen.
Bins. Bou. pi. 18.
Blush, changing to pure white ;
tender.

Pure white ; hardy.

Blush.

Rich purplish - crimson ; fine
truss ; foliage and habit ;
probably hardy.

Light purple, deeply spotted;
large truss ; hardy.

Cherry -red; fine truss; prob-
ably hardy.

Dark scarlet; fine foliage; a
beautiful variety ; probably
hardy.

Creamy white, fine form.

Candidissimum . .

Candidissimum (Par-
sons')

Candidum ....
Caractacus . . .

Chancellor . .
Charles Bagley
Charles Dickens

Chionoides . .

DESCRIPTION OP THE RHODODENDRON. 95

Climax Deep scarlet-crimson, with dark

spots on the upper petals;
IDrobably hardy. Figured in
Fl. Mag. pi. 65.

Chloe Crimson-lake, spotted.

Cliveanum .... Pinkish - white ; large truss ;

tender. Figured in Bot.
Mag. 75, t. 4478.

Clowesianum . . . "White, pur^^le spots. Figured

in Fl. des Ser. 13, t. 1315.

CcELESTiNUM . . . .^ Blusli, jcllow eye.

CcELESTiNUM PiCTUM . I Blusli, puri^le-spotted.

CcELESTiNUM GRANDi- i Blush, yellow eye ; large truss,

FLORUM J and fine foliage; all fine,

hard}^ varieties.

C(ERULESCENS . . . Bluish white ; hardy.

Columbus Clear purj^le, spotted ; hardy.

CoNCESSUM .... Light centre, clear rosy-pink

margin ; an exquisite variety ;
tender.

CoNGESTUM ROSEUM . Light rose, dark spots ; fine

foliage.

Comet Bright scarlet.

CoMTE DE GoMER . . White, edged with rosy- crim-
son ; fine form. Figured in
lUus. Hort. t. 230.

CoRiACEUM .... Yellowish, changing to i3ure

white ; dwarf, free blooming ;
hardy.

CoRREGGio .... Clear dark scarlet.

Countess of Devon . French w^hite, rosy edges ; upper

petals spotted with purplish-
crimson. Figured in Fl.
Mag. pi. 162.

96

THE RHODODENDRON.

Cruentum .
currieanum

Decorator .
Delicatissimum.

Desdemona . .

Dona Maria .

DORKINSII ....

Due de Brabant .
Duchess de Nassau

Duchess of Suther-
land

Duke of Cambridge ,

Duke of Norfolk
E. C. Baring . .

Edward S. Rand

Elfrida . . .
Eminent . . .

E-ich lake, fine deep color ; prob-
ably tender

Dark rosy-lilac, spotted; fine
form and truss ; precariously
hardy.

Clear bright rose, dark spots.

Blush- white, tinted with pink ;
hardy.

Blush, richly marked on the
upper petals.

White, tinged with pink, deeply
marked with yellow and red
spots. Figured in Fl. des
Ser. 10, t. 1040.

Dark, clear chocolate-crimson.

Salmon-white, spotted ; semi-
double; tender.
. Pink, white centre, intensely
spotted with brown. Fig-
ured in lUus. Hort. 12, t. 450.
"I White centre, shading to broad
j margin of rosy-lilac.

Bright crimson - scarlet, pale
centre.

Clear rose ; same as Rubens.
. Glowing crimson; fine habit;
a new seedling of Anthony
Waterer.

Another of Mr. Waterer's new

seedlings ; crimson ; immense

truss ; fine Oatawhiense habit ;

probably hardy.

, Bright rosy-crimson, dark spots :

a fine flower.
, Rosy -lilac.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

97

Erectum

Etendard de Flandres

Etoile de Villiers

EVERESTIANUM

FaSTUOSUM FLORE
PLENO ....

Faust

Fleur DE Flandres

Fleur de Marie .

Francis Dickson .

Gemmiferuim . . .
General Cabrera

Genseric

Georgianum . . .

GiGANTEUM . . .

Rosy-crimson ; good habit.

Lavender-white, finely spotted ;
generally hardy. Figured in
Fl. des Ser. 8, t. 783-4.

Rose, shading to white, deeply
marked with yellow spots.
Figured in Fl. des Ser. 11,
t. 1084.

Rosy-hlac, spotted and fringed ;
fine foliage ; free bloomer ;
the best hardy Rhododen-
dron.

Lilac, fading to lavender ; im-
mense truss of double fiowers,
remaining long in bloom;
very showy and desirable;
precariously hardy. Figured
in Fl. des Ser. 2, t. 143-4.

Pale lilac, beautifully blotched.

Reddish-pink, deeply spotted
with purple and green. Fig-
ured in Fl. des Ser. 17, t.
1816-17.

Bright rosy-crimson, blotched
with white.

Brilliant scarlet; a fine late
bloomer ; probably tender.

Rosy-crimson, light centre.

Crimson, with blotch of dark
spots ; large flower ; tender.

Purplish-crimson, shaded to
scarlet.

Light pink, distinct.

Light rose; large truss; fine
foliage ; hardy.

98 THE RHODODENDRON.

Glexxyanidi .... Light pink ; pretty, but tender.

Gloriosum .... Blush-white; large flower;

hardy.

Gkaxdiflorum . . . Clear rose ; fine truss ; good

foliage; free bloomer; and
very hardy.

Gloire de Belleyue Eose, finely spotted.

GuiDO Crimson; probably hardy.

GuLNARE Blush-j^ink ; fine form.

Hannibal Eose, shading to blush and

lighted with white ; a fine,
late-blooming, hardy kind.

Hendersoni .... Dark purf)lish ; hardy.

Henry Bessamer • . Eich crimson, intensely blotched

with black markings, and well
defined ; one of Mr. TTater-
er's new seedlings.

Hester Fine white, reddish-brown spots.

H. H. Hunnewell . Dark rich crimson ; good habit ;

fine foliage ; probably hardy.

Hogarth Rosy - crimson ; a fine, late-
blooming variety ; precari-
ously hardy.

H. W. Sargent . . . Crimson ; enormous truss ; fine

habit and fohage; probably
hardy.

Iago Eosy-^-iolet, dark spots.

Ingrami Blush, blotched with lemon;

fine form.

James Bateman . . Clear rosy-scarlet ; good form ;

probably hardy.

James Nasmtth . . Eich mulberry, with distinct

orange spot; one of 'Mx. Wa-
terer's new seedlincrs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

99

J. ^IaE SHALL BSOOKS

John Spencer . . .

John TVateeer . .

johnsoxiaxum . . .
Joseph Whitwoeth .

Lady Axxette de

Tr AFFORD .

"}

Lady Armstrong . .

Lady Clermont . .

Lady Doeothy Xe- )
YILLE ]*

Lady Eleanor Cath-]

CART j

Lady Emily Peel . .
Lady Falmouth . .
Lady Godiva . . .

Lee's Purple . . .

Lady Frances Cross-
ley

HosY-scarlet,

Scarlet, with rich brown blotch ;
a new seedling of Mr. TVa-
terer.

A fine truss of rosy flowers,
margined with deep pink ; a
late bloomer, and probably
hardy.

Litense dark crimson ; a fine,
free-blooming yariety ; large
flower and fine form.

Brilliant crimson ; tender.

Dark lake, with darker spots;
large flowers ; fine foliage.

Pale rose, intensely blotched
with chocolate ; a new seed-
ling of ^Lr. 'Waterer's.

Pale rose, beautifully spotted ;
probably hardy.

Rosy-scarlet, intensely blotched
with black ; probably hardy.

Layender-white. finely spotted ;
same as Etendard de
Flandres.

Clear bright rose, with chocolate-
crimson spots : yery beautiful*

Bright rose, chocolate spots.

Clear rose, deep black blotch.

White, finely spotted with ochre;
large flower.

Dark purple; a fine bloomer;
hardy, distinct, and good.

Rosy-pink or salmon.

100

THE EHODODENDRON.

Lefevreanum
Leviathan

Leopardi

LiMBATUM

londinense . . .

Lord Clyde . . .
Lord John Russell
Lowii

Lucidum ....
Lucy Neal . . .
Macranthum . .
Maculatum grandi-

FLORUM

Maculatum nigrum

Rich purplish - crimson ; good

foliage; hardy.
Blush, margined and tinged

with violet; fine form and

flower.
Lilac, spotted all over with

chocolate.
Rosy -white, shading to pure

white throat; deep rose

blotch; tender. Figured in

Bot. Mag. 88, t. 5311. A

variety of R. arhoreum.
Crimson-purple ; good form and

free bloomer ; precariously

hardy; same as Ne Plus

Ultra.
Dark rich crimson; same as

Brabantia.
Rose, intensely spotted ; very

showy and beautiful ; tender.
White, distinctly spotted with

orange - chocolate ; tender ;

same as Pictum.
Lilac, brown sjjots ; free bloom-
er ; beautiful foliage ; tender.
Purjjlish - crimson, shaded to

scarlet ; same as Gens eric.
Rosy - blush ; late bloomer ;

hardy and desirable.
Dark rosy -lilac, spotted; fine

form and truss ; same as

Currieanum.
Dark purple, spotted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

101

]\Iaculatu3I purpureum Light purple, deeply spotted ;

large truss; hardy; same as

Chancellor.
Rose, finely spotted.
Lilac - rose, intensely spotted

with black ; large and fine

truss ; a late bloomer.
Clear white, greenish - brown

spots ; fine shape and sub-
stance.
Rosy-lilac, beautifully spotted;

large flower ; precariously

hardy.
Lilac, brown eye ; hardy.
White ground, deep carmine

spots. Figured in lUus. Hort.

14, t. 505.

Maculatum rubrum .
Maculatum superbum

Madame Caryalho .

Magnum Bonum .

Marc Antony . . .

MaRGINATO PElsCTATUM

Metaphor

Rose ; large truss ; fine form.

Michael Waterer

Scarlet - crimson ; fine form ;

very beautiful.

Milnei

. Rosy-crimson ; large truss.

Minnie

. White, with large blotch of

orange-chocolate ; fine form

and substance; remains long

in bloom, one of the most

striking varieties; tender.

Figured in Blus. Hort. 9,

t. 317.

MiRANDUM ....

. Rose ; fine foliage.

Mt. Blanc . . .

. White; dwarf; free blooming;

tender.

Mr. John Penn .

. Salmon-pink, deeper edge.

Mrs. Fitzgerald .

. Bright rosy-scarlet.

102

THE RHODODENDRON.

Mrs. G. H. W. Heneage

Mrs. John Glutton .

Mrs. John Waterer .
Mrs. Milner ....
Mrs. Sam Mendel

Mrs. Joseph Shuttle-
worth

Mrs. E. S. Holford .

Mrs. Thomas Brassey
IVIrs. Thomas Wain .

MURILLO . . .

Neige et Cerise

Rosy - purple, white centre,
fringed ; remains long in
bloom ; probably hardy.

Splendid flower ; white, yellow-
spotted; of fine form and
substance, remaining long in
bloom; probably hardy. Fig-
ured in Florist, September,
1869.

Rosy - crimson, sjDotted ; fine
truss.

Rich crimson; fine foliage and
flower ; probably hardy.

Clear rose; distinct white ray
up the centre of each petal,
and beautifully spotted ; one
of Anthony Waterer's new
seedlings.

Pale rose, intensely blotched ;
new.

Rich salmon, a new color ; large
truss and flower; a superb
Rhododendron; tender.

Clear white, margined with rosy-
purple.

Pale rose, deep brown blotch ;
very beautiful ; jDrobably
hardy.

Rich crimson.

Snowy white, bordered with
rich carmine ; very beauti-
ful ; tender. Figured in Fl.
des Ser. 13, t. 1391.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 103

Neils ONI Rosy -lake; large flower and

truss.

Nereus Light purple, dark spots.

Ne Plus Ultra . . Crimson-purjDle ; same as Lon-

DINENSE.

Nero Dark rosy-purple, richly spotted;

fine form and truss ; tender.

NiGRESCENS .... Dark plum-color, almost black.

OcuLissiMUM .... Rose, deeply marked.

Old Port Rich jDlum-color.

Onslowianum . . . Waxy blush, yellow eye ; dis-
tinct and fine ; hardy.

Ornatum Rose ; late bloomer.

Ornatissimum . . . White, bordered to delicate rose,

shading almost to purple.
Figured in Illus. Hort. 14,
t. 530.

Othello Crimson, with mauve tinge.

Papilioxaceum . . . Pale lilac, changing to white,

orange spots.

Pardoleton .... Rosy-lilac, spotted ; precariously

hardy.

Paxtoni Rose, deeply spotted; precari-
ously hardy.

Pelargoniflorum . . White, shaded pink, red spots,

and yellowish lighting. Fig-
ured in Fl. des Ser. 10, 1. 1063.

Perfection .... Blush, yellow eye ; fine form.

Perrieanum .... Light rose, finely spotted.

Perspicuum .... White or blush.

Pictum White, beautifully spotted; same

as LowiL

PoussiN Deep rosy - crimson ; same as

Barclayanum.

104

THE RHODODENDRON.

President van den
Hecke

Prince Albert . . .

Prince Camille de
Rohan

Prince Eugene

Princess Mary of j
Cambridge . . . . )

Prince of Wales ]
(Young's) . . . . j

Princess of Wales .

:]

PURPUREUM ELEGANS .

PURPUREUM CRISPUM .

PuRPUREUM GRANDI-

FLORUM .

Purity . .
Raphael .
Reedianum
Rosabel .

roseum elegans . .
ROSEUM grandiflorum

ROSEUM PICTUM . . .
ROSEUM SUPERBUM . .

E. S. Field ....

Light rose, beautifully spotted ;
precariously hardy.

Rich lake.

Rose, deeply spotted with brown-
ish-red, fringed. Figured in
Fl. des Ser. 10, t. 1073 ; and
Illus. Hort. 2, t. 46.

Blush, intense spot on the upper
petal.

White centre, edge of petals
rosy-purjDle ; fine.

Brilliant rose, shaded to purple,
black marking on the upper
petals. Figured in Fl. Mag.
pi. 177.

Creamy white centre, bordered
with violet-purple. Figured
in Fl. des Ser. 18, t. 1834-5.

Fine jDurjole ; hardy.

Purple, fringed ; hardy.

Purple ; large truss and flower ;
hardy.

White, faint yellow eye.

Spotted crimson ; large flower.

Bright cherry-red ; tender.

Pale rose ; fine foliage and
habit ; probably hardy.

Rose ; very hardy.

Rose ; late bloomer ; hardy.

Rose, yellow eye ; tender.

Light rose ; large truss and
flower; hardy.

Scarlet; very fine; probably
hardy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

105

Rubens ....
Salmono roseum

Schiller . . . .

Scipio

Sherwoodianum .
Sidney Herbert .

SiGISMUND RuCKER .

Sir Charles Napier
Sir Isaac Newton .
Sir James Clark . .
Sir John Thwaites .

Sir Robert Peel . .
Sir Thomas Seabright

Clear rose ; same as Duke of
Norfolk.

Rosy - salmon, deeply spotted ;
delicate and pretty. Figured
in Illus. Hort. 12, t. 437.

Bluish-purple, dark black spots.

Rose, deep spot.

Light rose, dark spots.

Bright crimson, with blotch of
black spots.

Rich dark jDuce, new and fine.

Rose, beautifully spotted; fine
shape.

Claret - crimson, shaded and
spotted ; same as Blatteum.

Dark crimson, shaded with pur-
ple.

Deep scarlet, distinctly blotched
with yellow ; a new seedling
of Mr. Waterer's.

Bright crimson, dark spots.

Rich purple, distinct bronze

blotch ;
flower.

remamino;

lon<

Sir William Arm-
strong- Crimson ; fine truss and flower.

Souvenir de Jean ~> Red, with yellowish - green
Byls j blotch on the upper petal.

Figured in Illus. Hort. 9,

t. 326.

Speciosum Light i^ink ; hardy.

Splendens .... Rose ; very good.
Stamfordianum . . . Dark pink, with deep purple or

black spots. Figured in Fl.

des Ser. 14, t. 1428.

106 THE EHODODENDRON.

Standard of Flanders Lavender- white, finely spotted ;

same as Lady Dorothy
Neville and Etendard de
Flandres.

Standishii .... Rosy-purple, spotted.

Stella Pale rose, deep chocolate blotch ;

very distinct and showy:
probably hardy.

Sultana White, reddish-brown spots.

Surprise Lilac, chocolate blotch.

The Grand Arab . . Brilliant crimson ; fine shape.

The Sun of Auster-^j Crimson - scarlet ; same as
LiTz ) Brilliant.

The Gem Light blush, tinged with pink.

The Queen .... Blush, changing to white.

The Warrior . . . Rosy - crimson ; fine form and

foliage.

Titian Light rosy-scarlet ; very beauti-
ful ; tender.

TowARDii Rosy-lilac ; beautiful form.

Vandyke Rosy - crimson ; late bloomer ;

very fine ; hardy.

Verschaffeltii . . . Pale lavender - pink, deeply

spotted on the upper petals.
Figured in Illus. Hort. 9,
t. 317.

Vesuvius Crimson - scarlet, black spots ;

large truss.

Vestitum COCCINEUM . Very showy crimson.

Victoria (Place's) . . Claret-crimson.

Victoria ..... Plum-color.

William Downing . Rich dark puce, finely blotched ;

remainino' lono; in bloom ; a
magnificent plant m flower
and foliage. Figured in FI.
des Ser. 17, t. 7o-i-5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON. 107

The foregoing list is a selection of the most
approved varieties. Some of them are new kinds
that have not been proved, but which promise to
surpass all older varieties.

Of the list of two hundred and forty-six, we have
more than one hundred now in our garden. Many
of those marked " tender " have been grown and
discarded as unsuited to our climate.

There is probably not one of the varieties men-
tioned which could not be successfully grown in the
open air south of Philadelphia ; and a large propor-
tion would succeed further north.

With such a collection to choose from, what gar-
den should be without Rhododendrons ?

The following lists may prove useful in select-
ing : —

For one Rhododendron, perfectly hardy, and which
combines good foliage, fine flower, and free growing
and blooming habit, —

Everestianum.

For three hardy kinds, add, —
Album grandiflorum and Purpureum grandiflorum.

For six, add, —

Coriaceum, Grandiflorum, and Roseum elegans.

For twelve, add, —

Album elegans. Hannibal.

Lee's Dark Purple. Giganteum.

Delicatissimum. Gloriosum.

108

THE RHODODENDRON.

For twenty-four, add, —

Purpureum elegans.
Roseum grandiflorum.
Bicolor.
Coelestinum.
Macranthum.
Ccelestinum pictum.

Album.
Columbus.

Candidissimum (Parsons).
Purpureum crispum.
Cunniugliam's Dwarf White.
Speciosum.

List of eighteen very fine Rhododendrons, which
will generally prove hardy : —

Archimedes.

Atrosanguineum.

Barclayanum.

Blandyanum.

Brayanum.

Currieanum.

Hendersoni.

Lefevreanum.

Maculatum 23urpureum.

Ne Plus Ultra.

Onslowianum.

Pardoleton.

Paxtoui.

Rubens.

Standard of Flanders.

Azureum,

Coerulescens.

Roseum superbum.

List of twenty-five magnificent varieties, requir-
ing cellar protection in winter : —
Aclandianum. Lord John Russell.

Alarm. Maculatum superbum.

Broughtoni. Minnie.

Bylsianum. Neige et Cerise.

Concessum. Nero.

Desdemona. Pictum.

Elfrida. Princess Mary of Cambridge.

Fastuosum fl. pi. Sir Charles Napier.

Fleur de Marie. Sidney Herbert.

Lady Cathcart. Titian.

Lady Crossley. Towardii.

Limbatum. Vandyck.

William Downing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RHODODENDRON.

109

List of Late Bloomino' Yarieties : —

Barclay anum.

John Spencer.

Hogarth.

Maculatum superbum.

Roseum grandiflorum.

Ornatum.

Hannibal.

Vandyck.

Francis Dickson.

William Downing.

Macranthum.

List of New Yarieties, wliicli will probably prove

hardy :

Caractacus.
Charles Bagley.
Charles Dickens.
Guido.

H. H. Hunnewell.
H. W. Sargent.
James Bateman.
John Spencer.
Lady Armstrong.

R. S.

List of twenty-five ver

Barclayanum.

Brayaimm.

Lord John Russell.

Concessum.

Criientum.

Elfrida.

Fastnosum fl. pi.

H. W. Sargent.

Stella.

Lady Clermont.

Lady Frances Crossley.

Maculatum superbum.

Lady

Lady Clermont.
Edward S. Rand.
Mrs. Heneage.
Stella.
Rosabel.
Purity.

Mrs. John Clutton.
Mrs. Milner.
Mrs. Warn.
Field.

y distinct varieties : —

Minnie.

Mrs. John Clutton.

Mrs. R. S. Holford.

Neige et Cerise.

Nero.

Nigrescens.

Onslowianum.

President van den Hecke.

Hannibal.

Titian.

Towardii.

William Downing.
Cathcart.

no

THE RHODODENDRON.

List of varieties for Standards ; —

Everestianum.

Roseum elegans.

JMinnie.

Lady Catlicart.

William Downing.

Maculatum superbum.

Brayanum.

Victoria.

Concessum.

Fastuosum fl. pi.

Archimedes.

Barclayanum.

Roseum pictum.

PART III.

OTHER " AMERICAN PLANTS.'

PART III.

OTHER '^ AMERICAN PLANTS."

nr^HE greater part of the plants enumerated in
-*- this portion of our work belong to the same
natural family as the Rhododendron (Ericaceae),
and thrive best with the same treatment. In Eng-
lish catalogues they are included under the general
name of ''American plants;" and, although some
are not natives of America, we adopt the popular
name as most familiar.

They are especially adapted for combination with
Rhododendrons, and afford a wide range of color
in bloom, and a great variety of foliage. Among
them we find many plants combining symmetry of
form, beauty and fragrance of flower, and easy cul-
ture. Some are rarely seen ; but all are easily
obtained, and well repay the care necessary to have
them in perfection.

The Azalea.

This genus is nearly related to Rhododendron,
and indeed by some botanists has been included in

114 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

it. Early volumes of some illustrated horticultural
works figure all Azaleas as Rhododendrons.

The genus Azalea has also been extended by other
botanists so as to include many plants which the
best authorities now give to other genera. As now
defined, the genus is confined to about twenty
species, natives of Asia and North America, all
shrubs, mostly with large showy flowers, which,
both from their beauty and fragrance, are popular
ornaments of our gardens and shrubberies.

The tender species are well-known greenhouse
plants, and both these and the hardy kinds have in
cultivation developed many very beautiful varieties.

Those that are hardy thrive best in Rhododendron
soil, and need the same general culture as prescribed
for Rhododendrons. They grow freely, flower pro-
fusely, and need only to be kept from drought to do
well. They are all deciduous, and therefore, where
a mass of foliage is wanted for the winter, should
not be mixed with Rhododendrons. We prefer to
plant them in masses by themselves ; although when
in bloom, and during the summer, they combine
well with other American plants. As specimens
and standards, they are very handsome ; always
blooming well, and forming a conspicuous feature in
the garden. All the species are propagated easily
by inarching, grafting, or by cuttings of the half-
ripened shoots, which root readily under a bell-
glass in sandy peat. The hardy kinds are also
increased by layers, in the same manner as Rhodo-
dendrons. New varieties are obtained from seed,
which should be sown in sandy peat, as directed for
Rhododendrons.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 115

The tender species are evergreen plants, requiring
the protection of a cool greenhouse in winter. In
summer they should be set out of doors, in a par-
tially shaded situation.

All the species bear pruning well, and may be
cut to any required shape. In habit they vary
greatly, some naturally being of fine form, and
others requiring severe pruning. The foliage is not
ornamental, being usually dull or rusty green ; but
when in bloom the plants are such a mass of flower
that the leaves are not noticed.

For forcing in the greenhouse, all the species are
well adapted ; and there are no better or more easily
grown parlor plants than the varieties of tender
Azaleas.

Many hybrids have been produced by fertilization
between the Azalea and the Rhododendron. Many
of these we have already described : they vary
greatly in habit, foliage, and flower, according as
they partake of the nature of either parent. The
number is very large, and is yearly increasing.
The species are : —

Azalea arborescens.

A tall shrub, native of the Middle and Southern
States, with large, fragrant, rose-colored flowers.
The foliage is smooth above, glaucous below, and
ornamental. The flowers appear in June, after the
leaves.

We have been unable to find a figure of this
species.

116 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

Azalea nudiflora.

A well-known shrub, native of swamps, from
Massachusetts southward ; producing a profusion of
showy flowers, which vary much in color, early in
May.

The common names are Wild Honeysuckle and
Pinxter Flower, the latter from its blooming about
Whit-Sunday.

The flowers appear before the leaves, often in
snch abundance as to cover the whole plant. In
the wild state they are found of every shade, from
purple to blush-white. Seedlings vary greatly, and
in cultivation immerous hybrids have been produced,
affording a wide range of color.

The following varieties of this species are very
fine : Versicolor^ do. grancliflora^ mirahilis^ carnea
delicatissima, colorata, incarnata superba, coccitiea,
do. major, incana, Coburghii. All have scarlet,
pink, or blush flowers, and are perfectly hardy.

Azalea viscosa.

This species is the well-known " Swamp Honey-
suckle," so common in low swamps, damp, shady
woods, and by road-sides.

It forms a tall shrub, with dark green leaves,
and bears in the latter part of June and July an
abundance of clammy, white, deliciously fragrant
flowers, sometimes tinged with deep rose.

It thrives in cultivation, not requiring a wet soil,
but growing and blooming freely if the roots are

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 117

not allowed to dry up. From its fragrance and late
blooming, it is a desirable plant. There are nu-
merous varieties, and this species is the parent of
many hybrids. All are hardy.

Some of the best are : ?'ubescens, do. grandiflora,
floribunda^ penicillata, do. picta.

Azalea glauca

Is only a variety of A. viscosa, with pale glaucous
foliage ; not uncommon.

Azalea nitida

Is also a variety of A. vis cos a, of dwarf habit,
with dark green, sliining leaves, and white, clammy
flowers, tinged with pink.

Azalea calendulacea.

A shrub, growing from five to ten feet high, with
hairy leaves and large, flame-colored or orange, scent-
less flowers : native of the Middle and Southern
States. It is common in gardens, is hardy, and
flowers freely in May, the blossoms appearing with
the leaves. There are many varieties, of which we
may mention : Morterii, fulgida, calendulacea coc-
cinea, do. crocea^ do. elegans, do. eximia, do. flam-
iuea, do. superba, ig-nescens, triumphans.

Azalea pontica.

A native of Asia Minor and the Caucasus, form-
ing a tall shrub, with bright yellow flowers in the

118 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

species, which in the numerous varieties are found
of every shade, from yellow to copper or orange,
white or striped.

This species seeds freely ; and from it, by hybrid-
izing with the American species, innumerable seed-
lings have been raised. Much attention has been
paid to thus crossing the species in Belgium,
especially in the neighborhood of Ghent ; whence
all hardy Azaleas have come to be known as " Bel-
gian, or Ghent Azaleas."

These seedlings are generally hardy, although
some of the lighter-colored varieties have proved
tender with us ; and some lose their flower-buds in
severe winters, although the wood is not injured.

Some of the best varieties referred to this
species are: ardens, aurantia, do. major, Candida,
coronaria, cuprea, ijo^itica alba, caniea, compacia,
conspicua, delicatissima, g-randiflora, grandidis-
sima, imperialis, mutabilis, multiflora pallida, ma-
crantha, princeps, sulphurea, do. grandiflora, do. do.
nova.

There are innumerable other hybrid varieties in
nurserymen's catalogues, and every year gives us an
increased number.

To the above lists we may add, as desirable:
Adelaide, alta-clarense, aurea speciosa and grandi-
flora, Cliveana, autumnalis, concimia, deciis horto-
riun, elegantissima, Napoleon III., flammcola
incarnata, fa?na, gloriosa, 31arie Verschaffelt, nitens,
Ne Plus Ultra, ornata rosea, prceniiens, violce
odorata.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 119

Those who are not familiar with the flower will
find fine varieties figured in Bot. Mag. 28, t. 27, 17,
t. 1402, 31, t. 51-60, 16, t. 1366-67 ; Illns. Hort.
t. 75, 209, 415 ; Fl. des Serres, 1298, 1306-7.

Mr. Anthony Waterer, of the Knap Hill Nursery,
near Woking, Surrey, England, has been very suc-
cessful in raising seedling Azaleas, and within the
past few years has produced some varieties which
are far superior to any before raised. This has
been accomplished by crossing the best hardy kinds
with Azalea sinensis, a Chinese species, with large,
golden, Rhododendron-like flowers.

These new varieties are thus described in Mr.
Waterer' s catalogue of the present year : —

Amcexa Delicate rose, with rich biiiF

spot.

Bessie Holdaway . Bright rose, clear bronze spot.

CuPREA Coppery - orange, shaded with

salmon.

P'uLGiDA Bright fiery-orange, deeper in

the centre.

Nancy Waterer . . The finest of all the yellows,

rich and dee]) in color ; large
in size and perfect in form.

OcHROLEUCA .... Pale straw-color, with golden

spot.

Primulixa .... Delicate primrose-yellow.

PuLCHRA Shaded rose, with orange blotch.

Sinensis rosea . . . Pale, shaded rose.

Straminea .... An extremely delicate tint of

straw-color.

SuLPHUREA .... Sulphnr-yellow, with deep yel-
low blotch.

120 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

Figures of Nancy Waterer and Bessie Holclaway
are given in the " Florist " for May, 1869.

Double Hardy Azaleas.

These are very beautiful and desirable, as they
are very showy and remain long in bloom.

They are perfectly hardy, having stood the last
four winters with us ; grow freely and flower
abundantly.

The varieties are : Maja, Van Houtte, Ophire,
Dr. Streiter, Heroine, Bartolo Lazaris, Narcissiflora,
Leibnitz, Graaf von Meran.

Azalea amcena.

This is a charming little Chinese species, usually
grown as a greenhouse plant, but perfectly hardy.

The flowers are purple, produced in the " hose in
hose " form, in gardening parlance ; that is, mth a
double corolla. The plant was found by Mr. For-
tune, near Shanghae, and, as we have it in cultiva-
tion, is evidently a garden variety of some unknown
species. The flower resembles that of Bhododen-
dron dauricum^ and, like that, is produced in very
early spring, almost too early with us. The foliage
is evergreen.

Figured in Pax. Fl. G. pi. 89 ; Lem. Jar. 4, t. 329 ;
Bot. Mag. 79, t. 4728.

Azalea sinensis.

A Chinese species, with large, yellow-orange flow-
ers, to which we have already had occasion to refer

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 121

as one of the parents of the hybrid yellow Ehodo-
dendrons, and of Mr. Waterer's new hardy Azaleas.
The flowers are scentless, and only resemble those
of A. pontica in color. A very showy plant.
Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 885.

Variety alba, with white flowers, is figured in
lUus. Hort. t. 563.

Azalea squamata.

A Chinese species, with small, lavender-purple
flowers, with crimson spots, produced before the
leaves ; probably not hardy.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 33, t. 3 .

Azalea obtusa.

Also a- Chinese species, with small, deep -red
spotted flowers and evergreen foliage. The flowers
are fragrant. Coming from the north of China it
may be hardy.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 32, t. 37.

Azalea ledifolia.

This species, also known as Azalea indica alba,
is the well-known white Azalea of our greenhouses.
The foliage is rough, small, and not ornamental ;
the flowers large, white, and fragrant. It is the
parent of innumerable varieties, which are far
superior to the parent.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 2901.
6

122 OTHEE AMERICAN PLANTS.

The purple Azalea, generally known as A. phae-
nicea, is a variety of this species.
Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 3239.

Azalea indica.

This species is the parent of all the so-called
" greenhouse Azaleas." It is a native of China
and Japan, with very showy scarlet, red, or white
flowers ; but has sported into numerous varieties,
some of which are among the most attractive of
greenhouse plants. None of them are hardy.

Those who are not familiar with this flower will
find very beautiful figures of fine varieties in Floral
Mag. pi. 63, 59, 25, 39, 14, 113, 104, 193, 231, 201,
268, 303, 395 ; Illus. Hort. t. 8, 20, 38, 65, 90, 130,
136, 170, 178, 182, 267, 302, 288, 340, 342, 428,
478, 512 ; Fl. des Ser. 1. 1618-22, 1654, 1572, 1567,
1365, 1334, 1301-2-3, 1060, 1180, 1157, 1243;
Hen. Illus. Bou. pi. 23.

Azalea ovata.

A small, pretty species, with pale purple flowers,
and small, shining green foliage ; native of China.
Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 5064.

Azalea occidentalis

Is the Californian species. The flowers are large,
white, marked with yellow ; a very showy plant, and
probably hardy.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 5005 ; and Fl. des Ser.
14, t. 1432.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 123

The Ehodora.

There is but one species of this genus, R. cana-
densis; a low, deciduous shrub, not uncommon in
New England, and often found so plentifully as to
cover acres.

The leaves are deciduous ; the flowers of every
shade from purple to pure white, blooming in clus-
ters, before the leaves, in early May.

It is a pretty plant, readily obtained, of easy
culture, and does well in any moist loam.

It thrives wonderfully in a Rhododendron -bed,
and is well worthy of the position from its showy,
abundant, and early bloom.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 14, t. 474.

The Loiseleuria.

The only species is L. procumbens, sometimes
known as Azalea procumbens. It is a small,
evergreen shrub, a native of high latitudes, on
mountains, both in this country and Europe. The
flowers are small, white or pink, in terminal
clusters.

It would probably do well on the border o£ a
Rhododendron-bed.

FigTired in Lodd. Cab. t. 762 ; Bax. Brit. Bot. 6,
t. 463.

The Kalmia.

These well-known plants, the '' Mountain Laurel "
of our woods, are fit companions for Rhododendrons,

124 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

thriving under the same treatment, and harmonizing
well with them, both in foliage and flower.

Their culture is very simple, being only to plant
them in moist soil, and leave them to grow. While
they will bear pruning, they seldom need it ; for, if
not crowded, they form symmetrical bushes them-
selves. They are propagated by layers or from seed,
in the same manner as Rhododendrons.

They are perfectly hardy, although in exposed
situations the foliage sometimes gets browned in
winter.

No insect attacks them, and they are subject to no
diseases.

A mass of the large-flowered Kalmia in full bloom
is a beautiful sight, and the smaller species are all
attractive and pretty.

No words can describe the beauty of this plant
on the mountains of the Middle States, where it
covers acres, and sheets whole hillsides with pink
and white. Even in New England there are places
where it grows in great abundance, but it does not
flower as freely as further south.

The plant is popularly known as " Mountain
Laurel," in distinction from the " Great Laurel "
^Rhododendron maximum) ', also as " Spoonwood "
and " Calico Bush."

The common small species is called Sheep Laurel,
or Lambkill.

The foliage of all the species is evergreen, but
only in Kalmia latifolia is ornamental.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 125

Kalmia LATIFOLIA.

This is the most showy species, and is one of the
most ornamental of om- indigenous plants. It is a
tall shrub, sometimes attaining the height of ten
feet. In cultivation, however, it is seldom more
than half that height, and grows thick and bushy.
The foliage is dark shining green, large and orna-
mental.

The flowers vary from pure white to deep pink,
and thus constitute the varieties of some nursery
catalog-ues. Seedlings vary much in size of the
flower, in floriferous qualities, and in form of the
corymbs of bloom ; some bearing close, compact
masses, others having them very loose and straggling.

Although a native of our woods, the cheapest
and easiest mode of procuring plants is to import
them from England, where they are raised from seed
in large quantities. Nice, bushy plants, about a foot
high, cost only twenty-five dollars per hundred
landed here, and, as they grow rapidly, soon form
large plants.

Kalmias mass well \n.th Rhododendrons, and, as
they bloom somewhat later, serve to keep up the
period of bloom in the bed. We prefer them, how-
ever, as specimen plants, or in clumps by them-
selves.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 5, pi. 175 ; Michaux, Arb. 3,
pi. 5 ; Big. Med. pi. 13.

Variety myrtifolia is a dwarf - growing plant,
with small, shining leaves ; very pretty for the bor-
ders of beds.

126 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

Kalmia ANGUSTIFOLIA

Is by no means a popular plant, from the foliage
being poisonous to sheep ; whence the common name
of " Lambkill." It is, however, very pretty, and
improves greatly on acquaintance. The foliage is
narrow, dull green, glaucous below, and not orna-
mental. The flowers vary from pale pink to the
deepest red.

By a little search in the fields in the season of
bloom, many varieties, differing greatly in color,
foliage, and growth, may be obtained. The plant is
too pretty to be neglected, and were it less common
would be highly esteemed.

Planted on the border of a Rhododendron-bed, it
increases rapidly by suckers, and never fails to
flower freely.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 10, t. 331 ; and in Lodd.
Cab. pi. 502.

Kalmia glauca.

A charmingly pretty species, and the earliest to
bloom, the flowers expanding in early May. The
foliage is narrow, evergreen, whitish below ; the
flowers large, rose-colored, in terminal corymbs.

"While in its native bogs, the plant is a low, strag-
gling shrub.

We receive it from England in neat, pretty, sym-
metrical plants, which always come out of the cases
in full bloom. It is not so easy of culture as the
other species, and is very liable to die off.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 127

The yarieties stricta, svperha^ and rosmarinifolia,
only differ from the species in size and color of
flower, or in foliage.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 5, t. 177; Lodd. Cab.
t. 1508.

Kalmia hiesuta.

This species is a native of pine barren swamps of
the Southern States. The foliage is small ; the flow-
ers large, rose-colored, solitary, produced in the axils
of the leaves. This plant would probably prove of
difficult cultivation and be tender in the Northern
States.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 4, t. 138 ; Lodd. Cab.
t. 1058.

Kalmia cuneata.

This species, which is a native of the mountains
of Carolina, we have never seen. It is said to be
deciduous ; and to bear white flowers, red at the
bottom, in few-flowered, lateral corymbs.

The Ledum.

This plant, familiarly known as " Labrador Tea,"
is by no means uncommon in low mountain bogs.
The foliage is rusty, pleasantly fragrant ; the flowers
in large, terminal clusters, white and very showy.
All the species thrive on the borders of Rhododen-
dron-beds, for which place their low growth adapts

128 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

them. They bloom in May, and flower freely and
regularly. All are perfectly hardy.

Ledum palustre.

A low shrub, with linear leaves with revolute
margins ; flowers white. A native of Canada and
the north of Europe.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 560 ; Bax. Brit. Bot. 6,
p. 508.

L. DECUMBENS is a prostrate variety from the far
North.

Ledum latifolium.

Altogether a larger plant in every way. Leaves
broad ; flowers large, white. The most showy spe-
cies, and well worth cultivating.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 534.

We have in our garden a plant received under the
name of Ledum angiistifolium, which seems to be
intermediate between these two species.

IJ. canadense, figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 1049, does
not appear to differ in flower from other species.

The plants sometimes known as L. buxifolium and
thymifolium are now referred to Leiophyllum.

The Leiophyllum.

A charming little evergre-en, with small, shining
leaves, somewhat resembling a myrtle ; whence the
popular name, " Sand Myrtle."

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 129

The only species is L. buxifoliiim, a native of New
Jersey and southward, but perfectly hardy with us
at Glen Ridge.

The flowers are small, white, or tinged with pink
on the ends of the branches, in close corymbs, and
in the latter part of May completely cover the plant.
At other seasons the evergreen foliage is very neat
and pretty. A border of this plant around a mass
of Rhododendons, Kalmias, or Azaleas, is very
effective.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. 52, as Ledum huxifolium.

The plant known as L. thymifolium is a variety,
with smaller foliage, equally ornamental and desir-
able. This plant is also known as Ammyrsine.

The Menziesia.

A genus of small shrubs, not very ornamental, but
desirable in a collection. The foliage is deciduous,
and resembles that of an Azalea ; the flowers are
small, greenish- white or brownish-purple.

The species is M. ferruginea, a native of North-
western America, of which the variety glohularis is
found plentifully on mountains in Virginia.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 38, t. 1571 ; and the variety
in Hook. Bor. Am. 132.

The Phyllodoce.

The plant known in florist's catalogues as Menziesia
coerulea is a charming little plant, resembling a Heath
both in foliage and flower ; a native of North-western

6*

130 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

America, of the White Mountains, and some parts
of Em^ope. It is very ornamental, and will thrive
in cool, moist soil. The flowers are bluish-purple,
nodding, and charmingly pretty. The proper name
of the plant is Phyllodoce taxifolia. There is also
another species, P. or M. empetriformis, with pale
red flowers.

See figures in Lodd. Cab. t. 164, and Bot. Mag.
t. 3176.

The species of Baboecia, pretty heath-like plants
with showy flowers, but not hardy with us, are some-
times called Menzietia.

The Oalluna.

This plant, the " Heather " of Europe, is hardy
enough to endure our winters. Blooming in July,
when flowers are not plenty, it forms a most attrac-
tive border to a clump of evergreens. The plant is
low-growing, with heath-like foliage, and when in
bloom is a mass of flower. The species C. vulgaris
is a native of Europe, but has been found growing
wild near Boston, the locality being such as to leave
little doubt as to its being indigenous. The flowers
are rose-colored ; but there are garden varieties of
every shade from red to white, one with double flow-
ers and one with golden foliage. All these are
easily grown along the borders of Rhododendron-
beds, and with a slight covering of pine-needles in
winter escape entirely uninjured.

They can be imported for about three dollars a
dozen.

Figured in Eng. Bot. 15, t. 1013 ; and in Bax.
Brit. Bot. 1, t. 76.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 131

The Gypsocallis.

The hardiest of the " Heaths," as the plant is
always found in catalogues as Erica herbacea. It is
a native of Central Europe, but with us has proved
hardy in all exposures, the only care taken being to
cover the plant with pine-needles in winter ; as in
our experience, while no degree of cold injured the
plant, the flower-buds were killed when the mercury
fell below zero. The species to which we specially
refer is G. came a. This little plant is low-growing,
like the Heather ; and, like it, is suited for the bor-
ders of Rhododendron-beds. It blooms in the early
days of spring, opening its flowers with the crocuses
in April, and giving to the bees the first promise of
summer.

The flowers are pale red or whitish, and com-
pletely cover the plant. By growing it in every
position, from very sunny to very shady, a succes-
sion of bloom may be obtained for weeks. We
regard this as one of the most valuable of spring
flowers.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 11 ; Lodd. Cab. t. 1452.

The other species of Gypsocallis are not hardy in
New England, although they are often grown as
greenhouse plants.

The Cassiope.

C. Iiypnoicles is a rarely beautiful plant, with moss-
like foliage and lovely red and white flowers. It is

132 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

a native of Lapland and Siberia, and is found on the
tops of the mountains of New England.

Although hardy, it is very difficult of cultivation :
the best place for it would be in a shady bed of
sandy peat.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 2936.

Another species, C. tetrag-ona, also a native of
high northern latitudes, is very difficult to keep
in cultivation. It is a beautiful plant, with large,
drooping, white, bell-shaped flowers.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 3181.

These plants were formerly known as Andromeda,
There are other species not in cultivation.

The Arctostaphylos.

A small, trailing plant, very generally distributed
over America and Europe. The common name is
'' Bearberry." The flowers are small, white, tinged
with red, very pretty ; the leaves small, box-like,
evergreen. It does well in peat, or will thrive in
any sandy loam, and is a good plant for rock-work.

Figured in Wood. Med. Bot. t. 70; Bax. Brit.
Bot. 6, t. 502.

A. alpina is a deciduous species, with pure white
flowers and black berries ; a native of high moun-
tains, both in Europe and America. Like the last,
the stems are trailing ; and it is a suitable plant for
covering the ground.

Figured in Eng. Bot. t. 2030.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 133

A. glauca is the "Mazaneta" of California, and
varies in size from a tall shrub in the low country
to a very low creeping bush far up above the snow-
line. The flowers are pink and very handsome, the
foliage clear glaucous green, the bush red. Alto-
gether the plant is very ornamental, and if hardy
will prove a great addition to our shrubbery. We
have plants sent from California now on trial.

The Epig^a.

There is but one species, E. repens, the " Trail-
ing Arbutus," " Ground Laurel," or " May Flower,"
almost too well known to need description. Neat
in habit and foliage, deliciously fragrant in flower,
and blooming at a season when it is especially attrac-
tive, this charming plant is seldom found in cultiva-
tion. We are told " it cannot be grown in gardens,"
yet nothing is easier.

Obtain good plants, either from the woods or by
importation, in early spring, or any time after Au-
gust ; plant them in your Rhododendron-bed, and
your work is done. They will increase, carpet the
ground, give you flower year after year, and ask
you for no attention.

There is not in the whole floral kingdom a more
attractive flower, and it loses none of its wild-wood
beauty when we take it to our homes.

The flowers vary much in size and color, and, in
planting, the largest and most highly colored should
be selected. Plants may also be raised from seed.

Figured in And. Bot. Rep. 102; Lodd. Cab. t.
160 ; Bot. Reg. 3, t. 201 ; Sweet, Fl. G. 2, t. 384.

134 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

The Gaultheria.

A genus of low, shrubby plants, with neat flow-
ers and showy berries, particularly adapted for cov-
ering the surface of the ground, or for planting under
trees, where little else will grow. They need no
special culture beyond being planted in sandy peat,
or open loamy soil ; and propagate readily by suckers.

Gaultheria procumbens.

This pretty little species is the well-known " Check-
erberry " of our woods, and produces the aromatic
red berries so often seen in the markets. The stem
is slender, creeping, never more than a few inches
high. The leaves are evergreen, shining, and
strongly aromatic to the taste ; the flowers are
pinkish-white, nodding. This plant is especially
suitable for covering the surface of Rhododendron-
beds, and is ornamental in foliage, flower, and fruit.
The best way is to transplant them from the woods.
A few set liere and there will rapidly spread and
cover the surface, doing no injury to the larger
plants.

Figured in And. Eep. 2, t. 116 ; Bot. Mag. 45, t.
1966 ; Lodd. Cab. t. 82 ; Barton, Med. 15 ; Big.
Med. 22.

Gaultheria Shallon.

A fine species from the north-western coast of
America. The leaves are large, coarse^ dull green ;
the flowers pinkish- white, very showy ; the berries
purplish-black, edible.

OTHER AMERICAX PLANTS. 135

Tliis plant in its native habitat grows in dense
forests, and is thus adapted for planting under the
shade of trees. In height it varies from a few
inches to two feet, but is usually very low-growing,
creeping along the surface and increasing rapidly by
underground stems.

We are sorry to say that this beautiful species has
not proved hardy with us at Glen Ridge : of a large
number of plants set out a few years since, only a
few survive, and these are in bad health. For some
years they grew, flowered, and fruited freely ; but a
winter when the mercury fell to ten degrees below
zero was too severe for them, although a covering
of phie-needles would probably have saved them.
We strongly advise the introduction and extensive
planting of this species. Plants can be bought in
England for a shilling each : they transplant easily ;
and wherever they prove hardy, they will be found to
merit our recommendation.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 55, t. 2843 ; Bot. Reg. 17,
t. 1411 ; Lodd. Cab. t. 1372.

There are other species of Gaultheria, but they
are not in cultivation.

The Ohio genes.

A pretty little creeping shrub, with slender stems,
close-set, evergreen leaves, inconspicuous flowers,
and showy, white, aromatic berries. The species is
C. hispidida, and is well worthy a place in some
sheltered portion of the Rhododendron-bed, where
it will trail over the surface, grow, flower, and fruit

136 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

freely. It is one of those natives of the wild woods
which we are always charmed to find in cultivation.

Plants could easily be procured from our north-
ern woods.

Figured in Torr. N. Y. 68 ; also in Pursh, Fl.
13, as Gaultheria serpyllifolia.

The LiNNiEA.

All the plants we have thus far described belong
to the same family as the Rhododendron (Ericaceae) .
The pretty little Linncea borealis, so well adapted
for covering the soil in shrubberies, is one of the
Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceas). It is a charm-
ing plant, with pretty evergreen foliage and delicate
pink, fragrant flowers.

It is a common plant in northern woods ; and
we mind us of localities where it fringes the road-
sides for miles, carpeting the ground under the
spreading firs and hemlocks. It is impatient of
drought, or of much sun, but will thrive well in a
Rhododendron-bed.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 183 ; Bax. Brit. Bot. 5,
340.

The Mitchella.

Another creeping evergreen, commonly called
" Partridge " or " Twin Berry ; " botanically, M.
repens. It is very common in woods, and always
beautiful, whether clothed with the lovely pink and
white flowers or sparkling with scarlet berries.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 137

It is easily procured, is very amenable to cultiva-
tion, and is well worthy a place in the garden. It
belongs to the Madder family (Rubiaceoe).

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 979 ; and Barton, Fl.
3, t. 95.

The Empetrum.

A plant of the Crowberry family (Empetracese) ,
much resembling a heath, and worthy a place in
the collection. It is not an uncommon Alpine on the
summits of mountains ; and is abundant on the
island in Frenchman's Bay, off Mt. Desert, covering
the ground and trailing over the cliffs.

The foliage is dark green and rather sombre, the
flowers inconspicuous, the berries black and orna-
mental.

Botanically,the plant is E. nigrum, or Black Crow-
berry.

Figured in Eng. Bot. 8, t. 526 ; and Bax. Brit.
Bot. 6, p. 469,

The Yaccineum.

The only plant of this genus desirable for cultiva-
tion in the garden is the Cowberry (F. Vitis-IdoBci) ,
a low-growing species, with dark green, shining fo-
liage, pretty pink flowers, and showy red berries.
As a plant for covering the surface, it is well worthy
a place, growing freely and requiring no care.

In Maine, where this plant is very abundant, the
berries are used as cranberries, and are quite
palatable.

138 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 1023 ; Bax. Brit. Bot. 5,
t. 383.

Variety ma jus is larger in all its parts.
Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 616.

y. OXYCOCCUS and macrocarpus are our small
and large cranberries, both found plentifully growing
wild, and the latter sometimes cultivated for market.
Though naturally growing in bogs, a wet soil is not
essential to them, as they do well in any good loam.
The flowers and fruit of both are very pretty.

Y. stamineum, the Deerberry, with deciduous
foliage, greenish-white flowers, and large, greenish
fruit, is sometimes found in cultivation, and is not
uncommon in the wild state in dry woods.

The Leucothoe.

A genus containing two of our most beautiful
flowering shrubs, without which no collection of
American plants can be complete, and which add
greatly to the attraction of the shrubbery. They
are hardy plants, doing well in Rhododendron soil,
and require no special culture.

They are commonly known as Ajidromeda.

Leucothoe floribunda.

This elegant species is a native of the Southern
States, on the mountains, but is generally hardy
with us. The foliage is evergreen, rather small,

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 139

dark green, and very ornamental ; the flowers white,
in panicles at the ends of the branches. The bnds
form in the summer, and are very conspicuous all
winter, opening in early spring ; the white flowers
contrast l^eautifidly with the dark foliage. A mass
of this plant is a most attractive feature in the
garden. As the buds are a little liable to be winter-
killed with us, and the foliage sometimes gets
browned, we generally protect our plants by placing
over them a few evergreen boughs, with which cov-
ering they pass the winter uninjured, although in a
very exposed situation, and every spring reward us
by abundance of bloom. A bed of this plant, edged
with the hardy heath (^Gi/psocallis}, is very hand-
some, both plants blooming at the same time, and
contrasting well in color.

In catalogues this plant is called Andromeda flori-
bunda, and, botanically, is more properly referred to
that genus.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 10, t. 807 ; and Bot. Mag.
t. 1566 ; Pax. Mag. 4, p. 101.

Leucothoe Catesb^i.

A very showy plant, and somewhat hardier than
the last described. The foliage is large, serrate,
coriaceous, and evergreen ; the flowers white, in
long, drooping racemes. This species is ornamental,
both in the mass or as a specimen plant : we grow
it most successfully both ways, and regard it as
one of the most desirable American plants. Its
height is from one to three feet ; and the slender

140 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

branches, drooping with the weight of the flowers,
are extremely showy. It is very hardy, never win-
ter-killed, and never fails to flower abundantly. It
thrives in a rich loam, but is impatient of drought :
we grow it in beds of peaty loam, in a northern
exposure ; but if the roots are not allowed to dry, it
will stand the full sunshine. A native of Yirginia,
and southward along the mountains. Known also
as Andromeda Gatesbcei and spinulosa, and as L.
spinulosa.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 1. 1955 ; Lodd. Cab. 1. 1320.

Leucothoe axillaris.

A pretty species, but by no means so showy a
plant as those we have described. The flowers are
white, in axillary spikes or racemes. A native of
the low country of Yirginia and southward, and
probably tender in New England.

Figured as Androjneda axillaris in Bot. Mag. t.
2357.

There are other species, some of which are tender ;
and others, although hardy, are not sufficiently
ornamental to be worthy of cultivation, except in
large collections. L. racemosa is the best of these,
and is worthy of a place in the shrubbery : it is a
hardy native plant.

The Cassandra.

Q. calyculata is a hardy shrub, very common in
swamps. The foliage is rusty, and not ornamental ;

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 141

and the chief merit of the plant is its expanding its
flowers early in April. When well grown, it is very
pretty ; but it is not naturally of good habit. The
flowers are pretty white bells.

There are yarieties which difler Only in height,
size of flower, and breadth of leaf, respectively
known as nana, ventricosa, and latifolia. All are
of easiest culture in peat-soil.

Figured in Bot. Mag. 1. 1286 ; Lodd. Cab. 1. 1464,
530, and 1286.

The Zenobia.

This plant, also known as Andromeda speciosa,
is very showy and desirable, but is not hardy in the
Northern States, as it is a native of Southern
swamps. The flowers are large, white, and very
showy ; the foliage is deciduous.

The plants found in catalogues as Andromeda pul-
vei'ulenta, cassincEfoUa, pidverulentissima, dealbata,
and ovata, are all varieties of this species, and like
it are tender. They are very elegant and showy
plants, and very desirable. In England they are
hardy, and would probably prove so south of Phila-
delphia.

Figiu^ed in Lodd. Cab. t. 551 ; Bot. Mag. 25, t.
970, and 18, t. 667 ; Bot. Reg. 12, t. 1010.

The Andromeda.

The species to which this genus has been restricted
by most botanists is A, poUfolia, a charming little

142 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

plant, with narrow, glaucous-green leaves and beauti-
ful white flowers tipped with rosy-red.

It is a native of cold bogs of both continents,
extending into high latitudes, and is therefore per-
fectly hardy.

The difficulty in cultivation is to keep it cool and
damp. With us it grows and flowers beautifully in
the shady part of a Rhododendron-bed on a northern
hillside.

There are many varieties, differing in size of plant
and color of flower : all thrive under the same treat-
ment, and are desirable.

Figured in Bax. Brit. Bot. 5, p. 361 ; and in vari-
ety in Lodd. Cab. t, 546, 1591, 1714, 1725.

A. ROSMARINIFOLTA

Much resembles the last, and may be only a
variety.

The plant found in catalogues as Andromeda
formosa is a native of Nepal, and tender with us.
The flowers are rosy-white, in drooping clusters, and
very showy. Also called Pieris formosa.

Andromeda mariana.

This species, also known as Lyonia, is a hardy
plant, with deciduous foliage and large, white flowers.
It is well worth growing, and does well in any good
loamy soil.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 1597.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 143

There are other native species, which are desirable
in collections ; but none of them are so showy as
those we have mentioned.

The very beautiful Andromeda floribiuida has
been described under the genus Leucothoe.

The Daphne.

Of this extensive genus, to which the well-known
greenhouse plant D. odor a belongs, but two are
hardy in New England : one of these, D. Mezereon,
is a common shrub in the spring garden, and pro-
duces its purple or white flowers with the early
crocus. It is a very hardy plant, growing freely in
good garden soil, and is ornamental in flower,
foliage, and fruit. There is also an autumn-
blooming variety.

Daphne cneorum

Is the most attractive of the hardy species. It
is a low-growing plant, with evergreen foliage and
terminal umbels of fragrant, pink flowers, which
are produced in great profusion in early spring.
Although indigenous to Central Europe, it is perfectly
hardy with us, and is a most useful plant for low
beds or for the borders of the shrubbery. The fra-
grance of the flowers is so strong as to be almost
unpleasant in a close room, but in the garden they
perfume the air delightfully. They open in sunny
exposures in April, and, by a little care in having
plants in different places, may be had in bloom far

144 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

into June : a second crop of flowers is sometimes
produced in September. The flowers vary somewhat
in shading, and tliere is said to be a white variety.

Variety majus has larger flowers than tlie species,
and is a more desirable plant.

Variety yariegatum has the foliage prettily edged
with yellow.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 313 ; Lodd. Cab. t. 1800.

D. altaica, a native of Siberia, and D. alpina,
from the Swiss Alps, both with white flowers, which
in the latter are fragrant, would probably prove
hardy ; but we do not know of them in cultivation.

D. Laiireola, the Spurge Laurel, indigenous to
most parts of Europe, is a good plant for shady
plantations, as it is not injured by the drip of trees.
It is not hardy in New England.

D. pontica, native of Asia Minor, and also found
in Siberia, is precariously hardy, and is killed in
exposed situations.

D. alpina is figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 66.

D. altaica in Bot. Mag. t. 1875 ; and in Lodd.
Cab. t. 399.

D. Laureola in Eng. Bot. 2, 119.

-D. pontica in And. Rep. 2, t. 73 ; and Bot. Mag.
t. 1282.

The Skimmia.

A genus of evergreen shrubs, from northern India
and Japan, of which one, 8. japonica, is a very desir-

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 145

able plant. As its name implies, it is a native of
Japan, and is a low-growing shrub found upon the
mountains. The foliage is dark green, shining, and
evergreen. The flowers are white, in long, clustered
panicles on the ends of the branches, and are suc-
ceeded by bright, globular, scarlet berries. Alto-
gether it is a very ornamental plant. With us it
proves hardy in Rhododendron soil, and grows, flow-
ers, and fruits freely.

Seedlings are easily raised from the berries.

Figured in Sieb. Fl. Jap. 68 ; Fl. des Serres, 7,
p. 39 ; Bot. Mag. t. 4719 ; Illus. Hort. 1, 1. 13.

SKIMmA OBLATA.

This species, also from Japan, has large, rich, lau-
rel-like foliage, and oblate berries of bright vermil-
ion-red. It is a more showy plant than S. japonica,
but we cannot vouch for its hardiness. As yet it is
somewhat rare, but, as it grows readily from seed,
will soon be common. The plant known as S. fra-
grantissima proves to be the male plant of this
species, which is sometimes hermaphrodite, though
usually unisexual.

Figured in The Florist, 1865, p. 161.

The Pernettya.

These plants are pretty little, evergreen shrubs
from South America. The foliage is small and very
neat ; the flowers little white bells, covering the
plant, which are succeeded by pink berries. They

7

146 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

are more likely to be destroyed by the summer than
by the winter ; at least such has been our experience
at Glen Ridge, where plants which survived two
winters, with little injury, perished from the effects
of the summer's sun. All the species are very
impatient of the extremes of wet and dry, and if
planted in full exposure to the rays of the sun soon
perish, and an excess of moisture at the roots is
sure to kill them. The best culture is to plant them
in a Rhododendron-bed, with a northern exposure,
and during winter to cover them lightly with pine-
needles.

They are easily raised from seed.

The two species in cultivation are : -^—

P. MUCRONATA

A native of the Straits of Magellan, with dark
foliage, which contrasts well with the white flowers.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 20, t. 1675 ; and in Maud.
Bot. 3, 112. And

P. ANGUSTIFOLIA,

A native of Chili. The foliage is dark, and the
plant flowers very freely. This species seems quite
as hardy as the preceding.

Figured in Bot. Reg. 26, t. 63 ; and in Bot. Mag.
t. 3889.

There are other species which prove tender.

OTHER AMERICAN PLANT3. 147

The Hypericum.

The St. Jolms-worts are well-known plants, with
yellow flowers ; some worthy of garden culture, and
others mere weeds.

One species, however, is a very showy and desir-
able plant : —

Hypericum calycinum

Is a native of Ireland^ Scotland, and other parts
of Europe, and proves perfectly hardy with us, if
slightly protected during the winter. The foliage is
large, evergreen, and thickly covered with pellucid
dots ; the flowers are large, yellow, and very showy,
two or three inches in diameter, with reddish
anthers. It is a low-growing shrub, thriving under
the drip of trees, and well-calculated for banks, rock-
works, or the margins of shrubberies. The roots
are creeping, and a small plant will soon cover a
large space.

Our plants are on the borders of a Rhododendron-
bed, and are protected in winter by a slight covering
of pine-needles. We do not regard this as necessary,
for plants have done well wholly unprotected ; but
the foliage is ve];y much browned and the beauty of
the plant impaired.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 146 ; and in Eng. Bot.
29, t. 2017.

Of other species H. Kalmianum is a well-known
inhabitant of our shrubberies, conspicuous for its

148 OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

yellow flowers in July ; and H. Uralum, with us, a
rather tender species from Nepal, with terminal
corymbs of bright orange-yellow blossoms, is desir-
able.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 2375.

The Pol yg ALA.

One species of this beautiful genus is suitable for
cultivation with American plants : —

POLYGALA ChAM^BUXUS

Is a dwarf-growing, evergreen, shrubby plant,
with large, yellow flowers, a native of the Swiss and
Austrian Alps. It is a neat, pretty plant, increasing
rapidly from running roots, and freely producing its
fragrant flowers during the spring and summer.
We can scarcely regard it as perfectly hardy ; but
with a little care, covering the whole plant with
pine-needles in winter, it may be preserved, and is
well worth the trouble. Plants may be imported
from England for about nine shillings per dozen.

They should be grown in a soil of peaty loam.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 316 ; and in Lodd. Cab.
t. 593.

The Pyrola.

Among the Wintergreens are some very pretty
plants well worthy of cultivation. The common
Pyrola rotundifolia is by no means an inelegant

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 149

plant, and if not found wild is very desirable in the
garden. The leaves are radical, smooth, roundish,
and shining ; the flowers white, delicately fragrant,
drooping on a slender raceme.

It does well in any light, rich soil, and increases
rapidly from its running roots : it prefers a rather
moist, shady place. There are several varieties, dif-
fering in shape of the leaves and color of the
flower.

P. elliptica closely resembles this species ; and P.
chlorantha^ minor ^ and secunda, are all neat-growing
plants, thriving with little care, and worth growing
in a collection.

MONESES UNIFLORA

Formerly Pyrola uniflora, is not uncommon in
northern woods. It is a delicate and very pretty
plant, bearing one large, white or rosy, terminal
flower, and increasing readily by creeping roots.

The CHiMAPHn.A.

These plants are low-growing herbs, with shining,
evergreen foliage and jewelled flowers. The most
common species is C. umbellata, sometimes called
" Pipsissewa," or " Bitter-Sweet." The flowers are
roes-colored, with purple anthers, and very pretty.

0. maculata, the other species, has lighter green
leaves, marked with white ; and is a very showy,
variegated-leaved plant.

150

OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS.

It is not very common in New England, but
recently we found it in great abundance on tlie
slopes of the AUeglianies in Yirginia. The flower
is not so handsome as the last. All species do well
in sandy loam and peat.

PART TY.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS ADAPTED FOR GROWTH
IN RHODODENDRON-BEDS.

PART lY.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS ADAPTED FOR GROWTH
m RHODODENDRON-BEDS.

'TPHERE are many herbaceous plants, seldom
-^ found in good health in the garden, which
thrive wonderfully if grown in Rhododendron-beds.
Many of these are rare native plants, usually con-
sidered of difficult cultivation ; but their only fault
is refusing to grow under conditions in no way suited
to their nature. To domesticate these choice wild-
lings, and to have them bloom under your own care
in greater perfection than in their native haunts,
is a triumph of floriculture which few achieve. Yet
such success is not difficult, and a little study of
the requirements of each plant will enable one to
attain it.

Plants that naturally grow in the rich humus of
old woods, rooting in the deep leaf-mould, or that
find congenial soil in shady swamps, will not thrive
transplanted to common garden soil and exposed

in full sunshine.

7*

154 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

For such and for many others the edges of Rho-
dodendron-beds are suitable situations ; they there
have moisture, depth of soil, and partial shade, and
seldom refuse to reward the grower.

We propose to enumerate a few of the plants that
have succeeded with us under such cultivation, in
the hope that others may repeat the experiment,
deriving therefrom a pleasure equal to our own.

The Hepatic a.

Almost the first flower of spring, following hard
upon the snowdrop and bulbocodium, and often
opening before the crocus, — can there be a more
charming blossom ?

Pretty as our wild species is, the garden varieties
of the European type are far more showy; and
transplanted, in our cold and backward spring, are
true to their nature, blooming long before plants
born in our own woods unfold their delicate flowers.

Earliest of all is the double red Hepatica, per-
haps the most charming of spring blossoms, a
sparkling little flower, already in bloom in sunny
spots when the early April days betoken spring, and
blooming on till May. Then follow our pretty sin-
gle blue, pink, and white native varieties, with the
single red, the mauve (^H. Barloivii}, smdi the rare
white, with red stamens. Last, but no whit less
beautiful, comes the double blue ; and that latest
acquisition, the Hungarian H. angulosa, with large,
deep-lobed leaves and sky-blue flowers, an inch in
diameter.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 155

But where can we find all these ? many will ask ;
and out of our own garden we should be at a loss
where to seek for them. We know of no florist of
this country who can supply an order ; yet these
plants should be grown by thousands, and be as
cheap and as common as violets.

In England they are very cheap ; and a few shil-
lings will buy a dozen plants, well rooted in pots,
and all ready to put out in the border. Like aU
spring-blooming plants, they should be imported in
the autumn, wintered in a cold frame, and trans-
planted to the border in early spring.

If imported in spring, they usually make a rank
growth in the cases, which perishes when the plants
are set out ; and, as no second growth is made, the
plant dies.

For years we lost all our spring-imported plants ;
but since we have imported in autumn, it is seldom
we lose a plant.

All the Hepaticas are natives of Europe and
North America. They are low-growing plants, with
evergreen, lobed leaves, and thrive well in any deep
garden soil.

Our native varieties, transplanted from the woods,
grow freely, and soon form large clumps.

All the varieties are worth growing. Had we to
choose one, it would be the double red, as it has the
most brilliant flowers, blooms earlier than the others,
and more readily accommodates itself to various
soils and exposures ; but we should be loath to give
up any.

The Hungarian H. angulosa is the largest species,

156 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

and a very showy plant : it proves hardy with ns,
and no choice collection should be without it.

Hepaticas do not require Rhododendron soil, but
thrive wonderfully in the sunny edges of Rhododen-
dron-beds, blooming gayly in early April, when the
Kalmia glatica, the Oassandf'a, Rhodora, and Bauric
Rhododendron begin to open their blossoms, and
all the year are ornamental from their neat, ever-
green foliage.

The only culture, when once planted, is to let
them alone : they are impatient of disturbance and
of extremes of drought and moisture.

In winter we lay an evergreen bough over the
plants to protect the foliage from the sun, but this
is not necessary. They are propagated by division
in early spring.

To all we say. Grow hepaticas, even if the garden
is but a few feet square. They occupy little room,
and are the sunniest, the brightest, the most cheery
children of the floral world.

The Sanguinaria.

The Bloodroot (iS. canadensis'), a well-known
native plant, thrives perfectly in the garden.
Transplanted from the woods to a deep, rich soil,
the flowers increase in size and in the number of
petals, and ripen seed freely, which often sows
itself.

It is curious to watch this plant in the early days
of spring : a few hours will often be sufficient to
expand the snowy blossoms, and to spread the count-
less yellow stamens to the sun.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 157

The leaves, which at first enwrap the flower, grow
very large, and protect the seed-pods until they
ripen.

There is but one species, and there are no well
defined varieties ; though on some plants the flowers
are larger than on others, and the stamens show a
disposition to be converted into petals.

A sunny nook in the garden is well filled with
this plant, which in deep, rich soil thrives without
care, and blooms freely every spring.

The Jeffersonia.

The only species, J. diphylla, bears a pretty white
flower, in early April, somewhat resembling that of
the bloodroot. The leaves and foot-stalks are blu-
ish-green, and the whole plant is glabrous : from the
leaves folding together in two equal parts, the popu-
lar name '' Twinleaf " is derived. The seed-capsule
is very curious, opening by a hinged lid when the
seed is ripe.

This is rather a rare plant, and is not found wild
in New England. In cultivation, it grows freely in
any good garden soil, and is easily propagated by
division.

The Caltha.

Early in spring the bright yellow blossoms of
the Marsh Marigold ( C. palustris) are very conspic-
uous in wet meadows, and the leaves are sold in the
markets as " water cresses." In cultivation, the

158 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

plant is valuable as an early flower, and does not
require a wet soil, but easily domesticates itself if
planted in good loam.

The double variety, which is not uncommon, is
very showy, lasting long in bloom, and is very bril-
liant in color.

0. parnassifolia and radicans are also pretty
exotic species.

All are easily propagated by division.

The Dentaria.

Tlie Tooth worts are pretty little, spring-blooming
plants, with delicate foliage and white or purple
flowers. They are easily cultivated in rich loam,
and, though rather inconspicuous, occupy little room,
and take care of themselves. We have grown one
species for years, in a sheltered nook of a Rhodo-
dendron-bed, and admire it the more each spring.

The species, which are D. diphylla^ lacinata,
maxima, midtifida, and heterophylla, much resemble
each other in flower.

Propagated by division in spring.

The Anemone.

All of the hardy species of these favorite plants
thrive in Rhododendron soil. We have already
described the Hepatica, which is only a sub-genus of
Anemone, as one of the most desirable of spring flow-
ers ; and many other species, although not such early
bloomers, are most ornamental and attractive.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 159

We are all familiar with the wild Anemone of our
woods (A. nemorosa), varying in color from pure
white to deep pink or purple, and tinted like some
delicate sea-shell ; but we have not all grown this
charming flower in the garden, and watched it day
by day, from the first moment the dark foliage
breaks through the ground until the delicate blos-
som nods in the spring breezes. This is easy to do ;
for the plant does well in any light, rich loam,
increasing rapidly by its slender root-stocks, and
carpeting the ground with rich foliage, spangled with
lovely blossoms. We have only to transplant it and
let it alone, and year after year it will reward us
with a profusion of blossoms. The double varieties,
both white and pink, we have in our garden : both
are very charming and attractive, and grow as freely
as the species. An allied plant is the Rue-leaved
Anemones (^A. thalictroides, or Thalictriim aneme-
noides}, found both in the single and double varie-
ties, pure white, very showy, quite as easy to
cultivate, and very desirable, not only for the flower,
but also for the delicate foliage.

Anemone ajjennina, although a native of Italy,
proves hardy with us ; but we have been somewhat
disappointed in its proving a very shy bloomer. The
flowers are blue, and very showy.

The English A. rarmnculoides, with yellow, butter-
cup-like flowers, is precariously hardy, and has not
with us proved a satisfactory plant.

A. narcissi/lor a, a charming European species, is
perfectly hardy, and produces its white flowers in
great profusion.

160 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

A. pennsijlvanica is a tall-growing species, bloom-
ing in summer, and, although a little coarse, is a
desirable plant. We prefer it, however, in good
garden soil, rather than in a Rhododendron-bed, as
it spreads rapidly and soon appropriates every thing
to itself.

The sub-genus, Pulsatilla, contains several species
of spring-blooming plants, with dull purple flowers :
in bloom they are not very showy, but the long-
tailed heads of seed are ornamental.

No species, however, can compare with the Japan
Anemone, and its hybrid Honorine Joubert, probably
a cross between A. japonica and the Nepalese A. viti-
folia. The species and a variety, A. j. speciosa,
have reddish-pink flowers in October, and are very
desirable autumn-blooming plants ; but the hybrid is
the best flower of autumn. The foliage is large and
showy, deep green and of vigorous growth ; the plant
tall ; the flowers very large, pure white with yellow
centre, and produced in great abundance. It is
perfectly hardy, and easily propagated by division ;
indeed, each little piece of the root will make a
plant.

We know of no more charming flower to place
here and there in open spots among Rhododendrons.
The flower shows well on the dark background of
foliage, and lends it an additional charm : from the
middle of September until cut off" by late frosts the
plant is a mass of flower.

If we had only the genus Anemone to ornament
the spring garden, we might be content ; for it con-
tains many species, which vary greatly in appear-

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 161

ance. All are not hardy, but frame protection is
sufficient to preserve them through the winter ; and
they well repay the trouble. Many hardy species
are rarely found in cultivation in this country ; but a
few shillings will import a choice assortment from
Europe, where both florists and amateurs fully
appreciate the beauty of these charming plants.

The Claytoxia.

Two of the species, C. virginica and ca7'olimana,
are pretty, spring-blooming plants, which succeed
well in any deep, rich soil. The root is a small
tuber, from which in early spring a slender stem
arises, bearing two leaves, and terminated by a
raceme of delicate pink blossoms, deeply veined Avith
darker shades.

Plants procured from the woods and once estab-
lished take care of themselves, and increase both by
root and seed.

The Scilla.

All the exotic Squills are better suited to the bulb
border than the Rhododendron-bed, as they require
rather a light and sandy soil.

The best is S. sibirica, with deep blue flowers in
early spring : a plant which is worth every trouble
to have in perfection.

A clump of this is in place anywhere in the gar-
den, and it would be difficult to name a more spark-
ling floral gem.

162 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

The Squill of the western prairies, S. Fraseri,
needs a deep, rich soil.

The flower is whitish-blue, and very pretty. It
flowers freely, and once introduced needs no further
care ; and, if easily obtained, is well worth growing.

The Camassia.

The only species, C. esculenta, is a small bulbous
plant, with leaves somewhat resembling a hyacinth,
and a tall spike of a dozen or more showy purple
flowers. It is, with us, a rare plant, though on our
north-western coast it is so abundant as to form
the chief food of the Indians. It succeeds in
deep, rich soil, and flowers in May. Our plants
were imported from England. It proves perfectly
hardy.

The Oxalis.

The common wild Oxalis of our northern woods
(O. Acetosella)^ which often carpets the ground for
miles, is familiar to all White Mountain tourists.
It is a delicate little plant, pretty in foliage and its
white, veined blossoms, and increases rapidly by its
creeping root-stocks. It takes kindly to cultivation,
and if placed in a congenial soil soon covers the
ground.

There is, however, another species, rare in New
England, which is a very beautiful plant, and quite
as easy of domestication. O. violacea is a little
bulb, with clover-like leaves and charming purple
flowers.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 163

None of the exotic species are prettier than this,
and none more desirable. It is perfectly hardy,
grows freely, and flowers profusely in the latter part
of May.

The Erythroxium.

The " Dog-tooth Yiolet," which is no violet at all,
but rather a lily, is a very pretty, spring-blooming
plant. The exotic species, in its many varieties, is
showy both in foliage and flower. Our native
species, though not so showy, are no less interest-
ing. The most common are E. americanum and E.
albidum, with yellow and white flowers respectively:
the former is more showy both in foliage and flower.
Both are small plants, with lily-like foliage, springing
from small, dee}>rooting bulbs, and bear handsome
nodding flowers. They are a little capricious in
cultivation, and seldom succeed in common garden
soil. In the deep loam of the Rhododendron-bed
they grow freely, and seldom fail to bloom.

The yellow species is very common, and may
easily be procured ; but the white-flowered must be
sought on the western prairies.

The Aris^ma.

A. triphi/Ihim, commonly known as '' Jack in the
Pulpit," or " Indian Turnip," is a common plant in
rich, damp woods. It is curious in flower, orna-
mental in foliage, and very showy in fruit.

A place should be found for it in the garden, and
no situation will suit it better than the rich, deep

164 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

soil of a Rhododendron-bed, where it will also find
congenial shade. In such a situation it will attain
wonderful size, and seldom fail to ripen the showy
scarlet fruit.

A. Dracontiwn, also hardy, is not so showy a
species, but is worth growing in a collection.

There are many pretty exotic species, but none
have proved hardy with us.

The Pachysandra.

This curious plant is of very easy culture, grow-
ing and flowering freely in any rich, damp soil.

The flowers are greenish or purplish white, and
peculiarly scented. The foliage is coarse, deep green,
perennial. For covering the surface, this plant is
well adapted, though as especially ornamental it is
not to be recommended.

The species is P. procumbens, a native of moun-
tains in the Southern States, and perfectly hardy.

The variegated-leaved variety is very pretty, but
seems somewhat more tender than the species.

The Dodecatheon.

The " American Cowslip," or " Shooting Star,"
is not uncommon in gardens. It is a singularly
elegant plant in the wild form, and some of the
seedlings raised in cultivation are among the hand-
somest of spring flowers. It grows in any rich,
moist soil, and is easily increased by seed or division.
In color the flowers vary from white to deep red
or purple. The species is D. Meadia.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 165

A form from our north-western coast (i>. Jeffrey-
anum) is a far larger plant, with large, dark green
foliage, and tall scapes of deep pink flowers.

The Trientalis.

A pretty little plant, with starry white blossoms,
springing from the centre of a whorl of light green
leaves, is the "Star Flower" (^T. americana). It
grows readily in any damp, rich soil, and if given a
shady situation is well worth cultivating.

The Mitella.

No better plant for covering the surface of the
ground can be found than the common Mitella
(3/. diphyllci) . The foliage, though not especially
showy, is neat ; and the racemes of delicate white
flowers are very elegant.

The plant blooms freely, spreads rapidly, and
requires no care.

M. nuda is a very small species, with delicate
greenish flowers.

The Tiarella.

This plant ( T. cordifolia) is not so showy as the
Mitella, which it much resembles, but is equally
useful as a low-spreading plant. The flowers are
white.

Both this and the Mitella are easily obtained
from the woods, and soon adapt themselves to
cultivation.

166 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

The Helonias.

H. hidlata is a very rare and beautiful native
plant, growing naturally in damp meadows, and
thriving in cultivation in any deep, moist soil. The
leaves are lanceolate, radical, spreading flat on the
ground, evergreen. The flowers are clustered on a
tall spike, and are of a purplish-pink, turning green
as they fade. It is a flower seldom seen in cultiva-
tion, and finds a congenial soil in a Hhododendron-
bed, where it will -flower freely every spring.

The Clintonia.

The large, shining leaves of Clintonia horealis are
very conspicuous in low woods. The flower is green-
ish, and on examination very pretty ; but the berry,
which is bright blue, is, after the foliage, the most
attractive part of the plant.

There is no difficulty in cultivating this plant, as
it grows rapidly, and with us flowers more freely
than in the wild state. The foliage is strikingly
handsome, and this alone should entitle it to culti-
vation.

C. nmhellata is a rarer species, with white flowers
speckled with green or purplish dots, which we have
not seen.

The Cornus.

C. canadensis^ the " Bunch-beriy " of our north-
ern woods, is another plant more charming in fruit

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 167

than ill flower. The root is woody ; the flowers, or
rather floral invohicre, greenish-white; the berries
brilliant scarlet, and very showy. This plant does
well in any good, rich soil, and flowers freely ; but
with us fails to set its berries, for which, as yet, we
have not been able to discover a reason. It is worth
growing, however, for the flowers alone.
Easily obtained from the woods.

The Coxvallaria.

The Lily of tlie Yalley (C. majalis) is too well
known to require description, and we need use no
argument to find a place for it in the flower garden.
It is in place everywhere, in beds by itself, rambling
through the grass, or carpeting the ground under
trees. For delicacy, beauty, and fragrance, it has no
superior. In a Rhododendron-bed there is danger
of its growing too luxuriantly and injuring the other
plants, but if kept within bounds it may be used
with good effect. When it sets its scarlet berries it
is very showy.

The varieties with double flowers, and with single
and double rose-colored flowers, are only desirable
in a collection : in the latter the color is a dirty
pink, and not attractive ; all are, however, very
fragrant.

The variegated-leaved kinds, especially that with
golden-striped foliage, are very handsome, but are
not common. They are well worth growing, as the
variegation is handsome and permanent.

The Solomon's Seal (^Polygonatmii) , and (^Smila-
cina), and the Bellworts (^TJvularia) are all very

168 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

pretty plants, and should find place in the garden if
possible. The best for surface covering is Smilacina
bifolia, with shining foliage, fragrant, white flowers,
and red berries. All these are readily obtained from
the woods.

The Ficaria.

This genus is closely allied to Ranunculus, indeed
by some is combined with it. The flowers of the
common species, F. ranunculoides, greatly resemble
small buttercups ; but they open only in sunshine,
and bloom earlier in the spring. The roots are
small tubers, from which spring glossy green leaves,
followed by the bright flowers in early May. In a
few weeks the foliage fades and dies away, and the
plant disappears until the next spring. The double
variety is a rarer and more showy plant, and the
white-flowered variety is seldom found. All are
well worth growing, and increase rapidly by multi-
plication of the tubers. They only require common
garden soil.

The Ranunculus.

Of the Buttercups the only one we can recom-
mend for a choice collection is the " Fair Maids of
France " CR. aconitifolius flore pleno).

It is a delicate plant, with fine-cut foliage and
pretty double, white flowers. Although not uncom-
mon, it has an ugly way of dying out, and is one of
those plants which, unless great care is taken, is

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 169

often lost. It slioulcl be grown in rich, damp soil,
and not be allowed to dry up.

The Hellebore.

The best of the Hellebores is the " Christmas Rose "
QH. niger}, a plant by no means so well known as
its merits deserve. It is the best winter flower
we have ; and by covering, the plant with a cold
frame, to keep the snow from crushing it, may be
gathered any day from November to April. It is
attractive both in foliage and flower : the former is
large, deep-cut, dark shining evergreen ; the latter
measure from one to two inches in diameter, are
white, often tinged with pink, single, and full of
bright golden stamens.

Cold has no effect upon them : if frozen hard, they
thaw out uninjured. The plant is perennial, and
requires a deep, moist soil, where it will not dry up
in summer.

When once planted, it should not be disturbed,
as it does not transplant readily, and takes long to
become well established.

H. fcetidus, a native of England, is showy in
foliage and flower, but with us has not proved
hardy.

H. viridis, which much resembles it, but is a
smaller plant, is hardy, and is naturalized in some
parts of the country.

S. ohjmpicus is a beautiful species from India,
with pinkish flowers, figiu'ed in Bot. Reg. 28, t. 58.
It is not quite hardy, but by covering the plants
with a frame we winter them successfully.

8

170 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

H. atrorubens and odoriis, natives of Hungary,
are also a little tender.

Figured in Bot. Mag. t. 4581.

H. orientalis is tender even with frame protection.

The Epimedium.

We consider this one of the most elegant plants
in our spring garden ; and no one who has seen the
showy and curious blossoms of E. macranthum and
violaceum will dispute the assertion. The foliage is
very neat, finely toothed, and remains in full beauty
all summer ; the flowers, which are freely produced
in May, are singularly graceful. No, description
can give an idea of them. All the species are
hardy perennials, and do well in any deep garden
loam, but succeed far better in the moist, rich soil
of a Rhododendron-bed, where we grow them in
great perfection. Of some twenty species the best
are macranthum^ phinatum^ diphyllum^ with white
flowers, and violaceum^ with white and purple flow-
ers ; all natives of Japan.

E. alpimmi is a European species, with reddish-
yellow flowers, which increases rapidly, and is a
good plant for covering the ground in shady places,
or under trees : it also thrives well on rock-work.
All the species are propagated by division ; but they
are impatient of disturbance, and should be removed
only when absolutely necessary, as they always are
some years in recovering from the effect. The
larger the clumps are the better, and the more
showy are they in foliage and flower.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 171

The Cypripedium.

Tills well-known genns of terrestrial orchids,
commonly called Lady's Slipper, find their congenial
home in a Rhododendron-bed ; and only in snch soil
can they be cultivated in perfection.

The different species are among the most beauti-
ful of our native plants ; while their easy culture, the
one requirement of soil being attended to, should
place them among the most popular of garden
flowers.

Yet they are very seldom grown, and outside of
our own garden we know of none where all the
indigenous hardy species can be found in cultivation.

The most common eastern species is C. acaule or
humile, usually found wild in dry sandy woods, pro-
ducing its showy pink or purplish flowers in May.
This species is rather difficult to domesticate ; but
we have succeeded, by giving it a more sandy soil
than the other species, removing it from the woods
both in early spring just as growth was beginning,
and in autumn when the plant was at rest.

A variety with white flowers is rarely found.

C. ariefinum, the Ram's Head, is the rarest spe-
cies, so rare, indeed, that many amateurs have never
seen it in bloom. It is a small plant, with flowers
which need close examination to reveal their beau-
ties: the lip is veined red and white, the petals
greenish-brown. It is a native of cold bogs, and if
allowed to dry up in cultivation seldom survives.

A shady spot in rich, damp soil is the place for it.

172 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

C. parvijlorum and piihescens, the smaller and
larger yellow Lady's Slipper, are very showy plants,
and the easiest to cultivate. If placed in good soil,
with an admixture of peat and sand, they increase
rapidly, and soon form large clumps. In bloom they
are very showy, often giving two, and sometimes
three flowers on a stem. Although usually consid-
ered species, they seem to run into each other.
These plants will live in common garden soil, but
they die out in a few years.

C. calceolus is a European species, with yellow
flowers, which proves with us perfectly hardy, and
is a very desirable plant.

Next to the Ram's Head, the smallest species is
the white-flowered Lady's Slipper of the West (C.
candiduni). It is a very pretty plant, with delicate
white flowers, the lip looking like a bird's egg.

It flowers very freely, and takes kindly to cul-
tivation.

By far the finest species is 0. spectabile, a native
of our northern woods, and one of the most showy
of our native plants.

It is a tall plant, growing from eighteen inches
to two feet high, with large clasping foliage, and
beautiful white flowers, blotched in front with
pinkish-purple : there is also a pure white variety.
In good soil it becomes a very conspicuous plant,
giving from one to three flowers on a stem, and
soon increasing so as to form a large clump. It
blooms in July, long after the other species have
faded.

AU the Lady's Slippers continue long in bloom,

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 173

and are very ornamental : we cannot have too many
of them.

The best way to obtain a stock is from the woods,
for generally florists cannot snpply them.

They may be transplanted early in the spring or
late in the antnmn, and once planted should be
seldom disturbed.

The Trillium.

All the species are low -growing plants, with
tuberous roots or root-stalks, and are remarkable
for having all the parts of the plant in threes.
They come up in very early spring, blossom, and
die away in a few weeks, unless they set seed. The
finest species is T. grandiflorum^ a very beautiful
plant, which succeeds better in cultivation than
most of our indigenous flowers.

The individual blossoms are pure white, changing
to deep rose before they fade, and in rich soils are
often more than two inches in diameter.

A clump of this plant is one of the most attractive
objects in the spring garden.

T. erectum, a more common species, is a very
showy plant : the flowers are dark chocolate-color.
There is also a variety with dirty white flowers.

T. sessile, a western species, has also dull-colored
blossoms, but is very showy from the elegant foliage,
which is beautifully marbled with light and dark
green.

T. pictum or ery thro car piim is the " Painted Tril-
lium," and is the most difficult of all to cultivate.

174 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

It grows best in pure peat, and needs a very shady
situation.

The flowers are white, delicately painted with
rich lake at the base of each petal.

T. cermiion, the " Nodding Trillium," our most
common species, has small pinkish- white flowers,
which nod beneath the leaves. It is not very
showy, and will grow in any garden soil.

There are also some Southern species.

All the Trilliums do best in rich, deep, peaty
loam : they are increased by seed or division, but
are somewhat impatient of removal. They should
be transplanted from the woods in early spring, and
soon domesticate themselves.

The Lily.

All the Lilies like a deep, rich soil, except perhaps
our wild blackberry lily, which thrives in dry sandy
loam ; but some never display themselves in full
beauty except in a soil in which peat has been
mixed.

This is especially the case with two of our native
species, L. suijerhum and canadense^ the drooping-
flowered lilies of the fields, which naturally grow in
rich meadows. These, removed to a Rhododendron-
bed, become plants of wonderful beauty. During
the last summer, we had about thirty specimens of
these species, not one of which was less than five
feet in height, each stalk giving from ten to thirty
drooping flowers. The effect of these, rising from
the rich foliage of the Rhododendrons, was very

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. ITo

fine. The variety of color — for even of tlie same
species no two plants are alike in shading — was
also very pleasing.

Another species, which is never seen in full beauty
unless planted in Rhododendron soil, is the Purple
Martagon. This past year bulbs of this kind, two
years planted, threw up stalks over four feet in
height, which produced from twenty to thirty
flowers each.

L. Catesbcei, the Southern Red Lily, also grows
and blooms very freely, as do also all the varieties
of L. umbellatum, aiirantium, and croceum. Tlie
noble L. auratum seems to thrive better in a soil of
peat, loam, and sand ; and we had, the last summer,
stalks an inch in diameter and four feet high, the
largest giving seventeen flowers from bulbs two
years planted.

The Japan Lilies, while blooming in the Rhodo-
dendron-bed, do not, however, exhibit any remark-
able luxuriance. They are, however, very eflective,
as the background of dark evergreen foliage sets off
the large, white flowers to great advantage:

The same may be said of the beautiful Long-flow-
ered Lily QL. longifloriuii) and the Scarlet Martagon
(L. ehalcidonicurri) ; indeed the latter does not suc-
ceed in peat.

The old white Lily (L. candidiwi) seems also to
prefer a lighter and more sandy soil.

Some of the rarer species, such as L. tenuifolium,
pumilum, and Jcamtschaticuin, are very showy
planted on the borders of Rhododendron-beds.

176 HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

The old Tiger Lily also does well, but is rather
coarse, and better adapted for the shrubbery.

There are no better plants than Lilies to mingle
with Rhododendrons: generally sparse in foliage,
the latter supply it ; and the showy flowers are more
effective than when wholly unrelieved by green, as
we usually see them.

They grow freely, and once planted take care of
themselves. Lideed, a Rhododendron-bed is worth
all the trouble of making, if only to show the per-
fection to which our native Lilies can be grown.

INDEX,

INDEX.

A.

American Cowslip, 164.
Ammyrsine, The, 129.
Andromeda axillaris, 140.

,, cassinfefolia, 141.

Catesbt^i, 140.
,, dealbata, 141.

„ floribunda, 139, 143.

,, forniosa, 142.

,, hvp' oides, 132.

,, Mariana, 142.

,, ovata. 141.

,, politblia, 142.

,, pulveriilenta, 141.

,, pulverulentissima, 141.

,, rosmarinitblia, 142.

,, spinulosa, 140.

,, tetragona, 132.

Anemone, The, 158.

,, apeiuiina, 159.

,, Honorine Joubert, 160.

,, japonica, IGO.
,, ,, speciosa, 160.

,, narcissiflora, 159.

,, pennsylvanica, 160.

,, ranunonloides, 159.

,, thalictroides, 159.

,, viti folia. 160.

Arbutus, Trailing, 133.
Arctostaphylos, The, 132.

, alpina, 132.

„ glauca, 133.

,, Uva-ursi, 132.

Arisfema, The, 163.

,, Dracontium, 164.
„ triphyllum, 163.

Azalea, The, 113.

amoena, 120.
arborescens, 115.
calendulacea, 117.

,, varieties, 117

Double hardy, 120.
general culture, 114.
glauca, 117.
Hardy double, 120.
indica, 122.
leditblia, 121.
new hard}' varieties, 119.
nitida. 117.
nudifiora, 116.

,, A-arieties of, 116.

obtusa, 121.
occidental is, 122.
ovata, 122.
phoenicea, 122.
pontica, 117.

,, varieties, 117.

procumbens, 123.
sinensis, 120.

alba, 121.
squamata, 121.
viscosa, 117.

,, varieties, 118.

B.

Bearberrv, 132.
Belhvort,' 167.
Bitter- Sweet. 149.
Bloodroot, 156.
Bunch-berry, 166.
Buttercups," 168.

8*

180

INDEX.

c.

Calico Bush, 124.
Call una, The. 130.
Caltha, The, 1.57.
,, palustris, 157.
,, paniassifolia, 158.
,, radicans. 158.
Camassia, The, 162.

„ esculenta, 162.

Cassandra, The, 140.

,, calyculata, 140.

,, ,, latifolia. 141.

„ ,, nana, 141.

„ ,, ventricosa,

141.
Cassiope, The, 131.

,, hypnoides, 132.
,, tetrag'ona, 132.
Checkerberrv, 134.
ChhBaph,la,'The, 149.

,, niaculata, 149.

,, umbellata, 149.

Chiogenes, The. 135.

,, hispidula, 135.

Christmas Rose, 16D.
Claytonia, The, 161.

,, caroliniana, 161.

,, virginica, 161.

Clintonia, The, 1G6.
„ borealis, 166.
„ umbeHata, 166.
Comparative hardiness, 39.
ConvalJaria, The, 167.

,, majalis, 167.

Cornus, The, 166.

,, canadensis, 166.
Cowberry. 137.
Cranberry, 138.
Crowberry, 137.
Cuttings/Propagation by, 34.
Cypripedium, The, 171.
,, acaule, 171.

,, arietinum, 171.

,, calceolus, 172.

,, candidum, 172.

,, humile, 171.

,, parvitiorum, 172.

,, pubescens, 172.

,, spectabile, 172.

D.

Daboecia. The, 130.
Daphne, The, 143.
,, alpina, 144.

Daphne altaica, 144.
,, cneorum, 143.
,, ,, majus, 144.

,, ,, variegatmn, 144.

,, Laureola, 144.
,, Mezereon, 143.
,, pontica, 144.
Deerbeny, 138.
Dentaria, The, 158.

„ diphylla, 158.
,, heterophylla, 158.
,, lacinata, 158.
,, maxima, 158.
5, multitida, 158.
Diseases of Ithododendrons, 20.
Dodecatheon, The, 164.

„ Jeffrevanum, 165.

,, Meadia, 164.

Dog-tooth Violet, 163.
Dwarf Rhododendrons, 27.

E.

Empetrum, The, 137.

„ nigrum, 137.

Enemies of Rhododendrons, 20.
Epig^a, The, 133.

,, repens, 133.
Epimedium, The, 170.

,, alpinum, 170.

j, diphyllum, 170.

,, macranthum, 170.

,, pinnatum, 170.

,, violaceum, 170.

Erica herbacea, 131.
Ervthronium, Tlie, 163.

,, albidum, 163.

,, americanum, 163.

Fair Maids of France, 168.
Ficaria, The, 168.

,, ranunculoides, 168.

G.

Gaultheria, The, 134.

,, procumbens, 134.

,, serpvllifolia. 136.

Shailon, 134.
Grouping, 43.
Gypsocallis, The, 131.

„ carnea, 131.

INDEX.

181

H.

Hardiness, comparative, 39.

,, of Khodoclendrons, 21.

Heather, The, 130.
Heath, Hardy, 130.
Helonias, The, 166.

biiUata, 166.
Hellebore, The, 169.
Helleboriis atrorubens, 170.
„ foetidus, 169.
,, nig-er, 169.
,, odoriis, 170.

,, olympicus, 1G9.

,, orientalis. 170.

,, viridis, 169.
Hepatica, The, 154.

,, angulosa, 155.
„ Barlowii, 15-4.

„ double, 154.
,, triloba. 154.

Hillsides for lihododendron-beds, 9.
Honeysuckle, Wild, 116.

„ Swamp, 116.

Houses for winter protection, 42.
Hybridization, 37.
Hypericum, The, 147.

„ calyciiium, 147.

„ Kalmiauum, 147.

„ Uralum, 148.

I.

Importing Rhododendrons, 23.
Inarching, Propagation by, 35.
Indian Turnip, 163.
Indoor culture of Rhododendrons,

29.
Insects attacking Rhododendrons,

J.

Jack in the Pulpit, 163.
Jeflfersonia, The, 157.

„ diphylla, 157.

K.

Kalmia, The, 124.

„ angustifolia, 126.

Kalmia cuneata, 127.
glauca, 126.

„ stricta, 127.

,, superba, 127.

„ ropuiariuifolia, 127.
hirsuta, 127.
latitblia, 125.
myrtifolia, 125.

L.

Lady's Slipper, 171.
Lambkill, 124.
Laurel, Great, 53, 124.

,, Sheep, 124.
Laurel, Spurge, 144.
Layers, Propngation by, 33.
Labrador Tea, 127.
Ledum, The, 127.

,, angustifolium, 128.

,, buxifolium, 128.

„ decumbens, 128.

„ latifolium, 128.

„ palustre, 128.

„ thymifolium. 128.
Leiophylluni, The. 128.

., buxifolium, 129.

„ thvmifolium, 129.

Leucothoe, The,' 138.

„ axillaris, 140.

„ Catesba?i, 139.

„ floribunda, 138.

,, racemosa, 140.

,, spinulosa, 140.

Lilium auratum, 175.

„ aurantium, 175.

,, canadense, 174.

„ ca: didum, 175.

„ Catesbtei, 175.

„ chalcidonicum, 175.

,, croceum. 175.

,, longiflorum, 175.

,, pumikuii, 175.

„ superbum, 175.

,, tenuifolium, 175.
Lily, The, 174.

„ of the Valley, 167.

,, „ ' varieties of, 167.

Lilies, Japan, 175.

,, Martagon, 175.
Linnasa, The, 136.

,, borealis, 136.
Loam, 9.

Loiseleuria, The, 123.
Lyonia Mariana, 142.

182

INDEX.

M.

Manuring, 13.
Manures, liquid, 14.
Mazaneta, 1-33.
Marsli Marigold, 157.
May Flower. The, 133.
Menziesia, The, 129.

„ coerulea, 129.

„ ferruginea, 129.

„ „ globularis,

129.
Mitella, The, 165.
„ diphylla, 165.
„ nuda, 165.
Mitchella, The, 133.

,, repens. 136.
Moneses, The, 149.

,, unitlora, 149.
Mountain Laurel, 124.
Mulching, 12.
Mulching, various kinds of, 13.

!New Azaleas, 119.
„ Rhododendrons, 91-105.

o.

Oxalis, The, 162.

„ Acetoseila, 162.
„ violacea, 162.

P.

Pachysandra, The, 164.

., procumbens, 164.

Partridge berry, 136.
Peat, 8.
Pernettya, The, 145.

,, angustitblia, 146.

,, niurronata, 146.

PhyUodoce, The, 129.

„ empetriformis, 130.

„ taxitblia, 130.

Pieris formosa, 142.
Pinxter Flower, 116.
Pipsissewa, 149.
Plants imported, unpacking, 10.
Plants imported, after treatment, 11.
Polygonatum, The, 167.

Polygala, The, 148.

,, Chamfebuxus, 148.
Preparation of the Soil, 3.
Propagation of Rhododendrons, 33.
Propagation of Khododendrons, by

cuttings, 34.
Propagation of Rhododendrons, by

inarching, 35.
Propagation of Rhododendrons, by

layers, 33.
Propagation of Rhododendrons, by

seed, 36.
Protection, winter, of Rhododen-
drons, 21.
Protection, winter, by houses, 42.
Pruning, 15.
Pidsatilla, The. 160.
Pyrola, The, 148.

,, cliloraiitha, 149.
„ elliptica, 149.
„ minor, 149.
„ rotundifolia, 148.
„ secunda, 149.
„ unitlora, 149.

R.

Ram's Head, 171.
Ranunculus, The, 168.

„ aconititblius flore pleno,
168.
Rhodora, The, 123.
Rose Bay, 53.

Rhododendrons, after flowering, 18.
„ as parlor plants, 32.

Rhododendron-beds, 5.

„ „ situation, 5.

„ „ Preparation of,

„ „ drainage, 7.

,, „ Filling for, 8.

„ „ on hillsides, 9.

„ ., Treatment of,

- 20.
Rhododendrons, Diseases of, 20.

„ Dwarf, 27.

,, Enemies of, 20.

„ Forcing, 31.

,, Grouping, 43.

„ Habitat of, 4.

„ Hardiness of 21.

,, Houses for tender,

30.

„ How to obtain, 24.

,, Importing, 23.

„ Indoor culture, 29.

INDEX.

183

5»

U

?>

Rhododendrons, list of eighteen
very line, 108.
list of twenty -live

verv fine, 108.
list of Icate bloom-
in-. 109.
list of new, pi'ob-
" ablv hardy, 109.

list of twenty-live
very distinct, lOD.
list of varieties for
Standards, 110.
planting. 10.
propagation, 33.
seed-vessels, re-
_ moving, 18.
Standard, 25.

„ planting,
2 3.
the best one hardy, j

107.
the best three

hardy, 107.
the best six hardy,

107.
the best twelve

hardv, 107.
the best twenty

bardy. 108.
Time of covering,

23.
Time of uncover-
ing, 23.
Watering, after

flowering, 19.
Wind injurious to,

21.

Winter protection
" of, 21.

Rhododendron Achievement, 91.
Aclandianum,91.
acubtTsfolium, 52.
',', acutilobum, ul.

a^ruginosnm, 71.
Admiration, 91.
Alaric, Ul.
" Alarm, 91.

'„ albiflorum, 59.

„ album, 77, 91.

„ elegans, 92.
" „ flavum. 8J.

„ grandiflorum,

^^ „ speciosura,5S,

„ triumphans,
92.

Rhododendron Alexander Adie, 92.

»

1)

>>

alstromeroides, 82.
aha-clarense, 58.
Amilcar, 92.
Ambroise, 92.
Andersoni, 92.
Ange Vervaet. 92.
Annihilator, 92.
anthopogon, 59.
Aprilis, 82.
arboreum, 56.

,, album, 57.

,, cinnamo-

meum, 57, 87.
alboreum niveum. 57.
,, Faxtoni.57.
,, roseum, 57.
,, hybrid va-
,rieties, 58.
Archeduc Etienne,92.
Archimedes, 92.
avgenteum, t57.
Ascot brilliant, 92.
Athene, 93.
atrosanuuineum, 93.
Attila, 93.
Auclandii, 68.
Augustus, 93.
Auguste Van Geert,

93.
aureum mngnificum,

88-89.
Aurora, 93.
azaleoides, 51.
azureum, 93.
barbatum. 65.
Barclayanum, 93.
Baron Cuvier. 93.
Baronesse Lionel

Rothschild, 93.
Batemani, 77.
Bertie Parsons, 93.
Bianca, 89.
bicolor. 93.
Bijou de Gand, 93.
blanche superbe, 93.
blaudfordianum, 77.
blandum, 52.
Blandyanum, 93.
Blatteum. 93.
Boothii, 77.
Brabantia, 9-4.
Brayanum. 91.
Brennus, 91.
Brilliant, 94.
Brookianum, 78.
Broughtoni, 94.

184

INDEX.

Ehododendron Brutus, 94.

„ Burlingtonii, 89.

„ Bylsiannm, 94.

„ californicum, 56.

„ calophyllum, 78.

„ camelliieflorum, 73.

„ campanulatum, 59.

su-
perb um, 60.

,, Campbellia?, 66.

,, campylocarpum, 74.

,, candelabrum, 74.

„ candidissimum, 94.

(Par-
son's), 94.

„ candidum. 94.

„ carneum, 83.

„ „ versicolor,

89.

„ Caractacus. 94.

„ Cartoni, 83.

,, Catawbiense, 90.

„ ,, hybrids,

91-108.

„ caucasicum, 60.

„ caucasicum album,

60.

„ caucasicum arbo-

reum, 84.

„ caucasicum Koble-

anum, 61.

„ caucasicum pulcber-

rimum, 60.
caucasicum strami-
neum, 60.

.,, cham^cistus, 63.

„ Champion?e, 76.

„ Chancellor, 94.

„ Charles Bagley, 94.

,, Charles Dickens, 94.

„ cheiraiithifolium, 51.

„ cliionoides, 94.

„ C'limax. &5.

„ Chloe, 95.

„ chrysanthum, 61.

,;, ciliatum, 72.

„ ,, roseo album,

72.

„ cinnabarinum, 66.

palli-
dum, 66.

,, citrinum, 75.

„ Cliveanum, 95.

„ Clowesianum, 95.

„ coelestinum, 95.

„ coelestiiuim grandi-

florum, 95.

Rhododendron coelestinum pictum,

95.
„ coerulescens, 95.

„ Columbus, 95.

„ Comtesse Ferdinand

Visant, 88.
,, concessum, 95.

„ congestum aureum,

8i).
„ congestum roseum,

95.
„ Comet, 95.

„ Comte de Gomer, 95.

,, coriaceum, 95.

„ Correggio, 95.

,, Countess of Devon,

95.
„ Countess of Hadding-

ton, 88.
„ crispitlorum, 51.

,, cruentum, 95.

,, Cunningham's

Dwarf White, 17,

32, 50.
„ cupreum, 89.

„ Currieanum, 96.

,, Dalliousia3, 65.

„ daphi.oides, 88.

,, dauricum, 55.

„ dauricum atrovirens,

55.
„ dauricum semper-

virens, 55.
,, Decorator. 96.

,, delicatissimum, 96.

,, deiicatum aureum,

89.
„ Denisonii, 84.

„ Desdemo a, 96.

., Dona Maria, 96.

„ Dorkinsii, 96.

„ Double Flowering,

52-53.
„ Due de Brabant, 96.

„ Duchess de Nassau,

96.
,, Duchess of Suther-

land, 96.
„ Duke of Cambridge,

96.
Duke of Norfolk, 96
„ E. C. Baring, 96.

„ Edgeworthi, 71.

„ Edward S. Rand, 96.

„ ehtagnoides, 67.

„ . Elfrj'da, 96.
„ Eminent, 96.

INDEX.

185

Rhododendron erectum, 97.

,, Etendard de Flan-

, dres, 97.
„ Etoile de Villier?, 97.

„ Everestianum, 97.

,, Falconeri, 67.

„ Farrerie, 70.

„ fastuosum flore

pleno, li7.
Faust, 97.
„ ferrug-iueura, 62.

,, feiTug-ineuna album,

63.
„ Fleur de Flandres, 97.

„ ., „ Marie, 97.

,, formosum, 74, 89.

„ Fortiini, 82.

„ fragrans, 86.

„ Francis Dickson, 97.

„ fulgens, 72.

,, gemmiferum, 97.

„ General Cabrera, 97.

„ Genseric, 97.

„ Georgianum, 97.

„ Gibsoni, 7-5.

„ giganteum, 97.

„ glaucum, 70.

„ Glennyaiiiim, 98.

„ gloriosum, 89, 98.

„ Gloire de Bellevue,

98.
„ Govenianum, 87.

„ Grand Due de Bade,

85.
„ grande, 78.

„ granditlorum, 98.

„ Griffithiaiium, 78.

„ Guido, 98.

„ Gulnare, 98.

„ guttatum, 53.

„ Hannibal, 98.

„ Hendersoni, 98.

„ Henry Bessamer, 98.

„ Heste"r, 98.

„ H.H. Hunnewell, 98.

,, birsutum, 62.

,, birsutum variega-

tum, 62.
„ Hodgsoni, 69.

Hogarth, 98.
,, Hookeri, 79.

„ H. W. Sargent, 98.

„ hybrids, 82-89.

„ hybrid um. 87.

„ hyacinthiflorum, 52.

lago, 98.
„ Ingram!, 98.

Rhododendron James Bateman, 98.
James Xasmyth, 98.
James Mcintosh, 99.
J. :\Iarshall Brooks,

99.
jasminiflorum, 75.
jayanicKm, 75.
jayanicum aurantia-

cum, 75.
Jenkinsii, 89.
John Spencer, 99.
John A\'aterer, 99.
Johnsonianum, 99.
Joseph Whitworth,

99.
kamtschaticum, 63.
Kendrickii, 79.
Keysii, 79.
Ladv Annette de

Ti-afford, 99.
Lady Armstrong, 99.
Lady Clermont, 99.
Lady Dorothy Ne-

yille, 99.
Lady Eleanor Cath-

cart, 99.
Lady Emily Peel, 99.
Lady Falmouth, 99.
Lady Godiya, 99.
lanatum, 70.
Lee's Purple, 99.
Ladv Frances Cross-
ley, 99.
lancitblium, 65.
lapponicum, 63.
Lefevreanum. 100.
Leyiathan. 100.
Leopardi, 100.
lepidotum, 68.
limbatum, 100.
Lobbianum, 81.
Londinense, 100.
Lord Clyde, 100.
Lord John RusseU,

100.
Lowii, 51, 100.
lucidum, 100.
Lucy Xeal, 100.
macranthum, 100.
macranthum fla\'um,

89.
maculatum grandi-

florum, 100.
maculatum nigrum,

100.
maculatum purpu-

reum, 101.

186

INDEX.

Rhododendron maculatura nibrum,
101.

„ maculatum super-

bum, 101.

„ Madame Carvalho,

101.

„ Madame Picouline,

„ Madame Wagner, 86.

.„ Madame Van Houtte,

85.
„ Maddeni, 70.

„ maguiun bonum, 101.

„ Marc Antony, 101.

„ marginato puncta-

tum, 101.
„ maximum, 53.

„ maximum, varieties

of, 51.
„ Metaphor, 101.

„ ]\Iettevnichi, 76.

„ Michael Waterer, 101.

„ Mihiei, 101.

„ Minnie, 101.

„ minus, 61

,, mirandum, 101.

„ mouhnavnense, 79.

„ Mt. Blanc, 101.

„ Mr. John Penn, 101.

„ INIrs. litzgerald, 101.

Mrs. G. H. W. Hen-

eage, 102.
„ Mrs. John Glutton,

102.
„ Mrs. John Waterer,

102.
„ Mrs. iMilner, 102.

„ Mrs. Sam Mendel,

102.
„ Mrs. Joseph Shuttle-

worth, 102.
„ Mrs. R. S. Holford,

102.
„ Mrs. Thos. Brassey,

102.
„ Mns. Thomas Wain,

102.
„ multimaculatum, 51.

„ Murillo, 102.

„ myrtifoliiim, 86.

„ Neige et Cerise, 102.

„ Neiisoni,. 103.

„ Nereus, 103.

„ Ne Plus Ultra, 103.

„ Nero, 103.

„ nigrescens, 103.

„ Nilagiricum, 74.

Rhododendron nivale, 72.

„ nivaticum, 52.

,, niveum, 68.

,, Nobleanmii, 61.

„ Nuttallii, 80.

„ obovatum, 68.

„ oculissimum. 103.

„ Old Port, 103.

„ omniguttatum, 86.

„ Onslowianum, 103.

„ ornatum, 8i}, 103.

„ ornatissimum, 103.

„ Othello, 103.

„ Othello (Van

Houtte). 85.
,, ovatum, 88.

,, papilionaceum, 103.

Pardoleton, 103.
„ Paxtoni, 103.

„ pelargonifloram, 103.

,, pendulum, 69.

„ Perfection, 103.

„ Perrieanum, 103.

„ perspicuum, 103.

„ pictum, 51, 103.

„ pontic um album. 51.

„ ponticum fiore pleno,

52.
,, ponticum hybrids,

50-53.
,, ponticum, 49.

„ ponticum, golden-

leaved, 50.
„ ponticum roseum,

52.
,, ponticum, silver-

leaved, 50.
„ ponticum, variegated,

50.
,, ponticum, varieties,

50-53.
., Poussin, 103.

,, precox, 83.

,, President van den

Hecke, 104.
„ primulinum elegans,

89.
„ Prince Albert, 104.

„ Prince Camille de

Rohan, 104.
„ Prince Eugene, 104.

,, Prince of Wales

(Rollinson's), 83.
„ Prince of Wales

(Young's), 104.
,, Princess Mary of

Cambridge, 104.

INDEX.

187

Rliododendron Princess Alexandra,

Rhododendron Smithii, 80.

8i.

55

Smithii coccinea, 58.

>>

Princess Alice, 85.
Princess Helena, £5.

55

Souvenir de Jean
Byls, 105.

5J

Princess of Wales,
104.

55

55

speciosum, 105.
splendens, 105.

5J

pumiluni, 69.

55

Stamfordianum, 105.

n

piinctatum, 61, 89.

Standard of Fland-

>j

purpureum elegtins,

104.

ers, 106.
Standishii, 106.

»)

purpureum crispum,

55

Stella, 106.

104.

Sultana, 106.

>j

purpureum grandi-

55

Surprise, 106.

flurum, 104.

55

The Grand Arab,

>>

Purshii. 54.

106.

)>
>>

Puritv, 104.
Raphael, 104.

55

The Snn of Auster-
litz, 106.

Eeedianum, 104.

5)

The Gem, 106.

,,

retusum, 8).

J5

The Queen, 106.

,,

Eosabel, 104.

J)

The Warrior, 106.

J5

roseo album, 72.

5>

Thibaudiense, 81.

roseum eleyans, 104.

Thomson!, 69.

,,

roseum granditlorum,

^^

Titian, 106.

104.

55

Torlonianum, 87.

>>

roseum pictum. 104.

55

tortulosum, 52.

n

roseum superbum,

)5

ToAvardii, 106.

104.

triflorum, 70.

>j

Eovlii, 66.

,^

imdulatum, 58.

»>

P. 8. Field, 104.

;;

vaccmioides, 67.

»5

Rubens, 1U5.

Vandyke, 106.

55

Eussellianum, 58.

^j

Veichianum, 81.

J>

sal ici folium, 51.

^^

Verschafteltii, 106.

J»

saligneum, 71.

^^

Vervaneanum, 53.

salmono roseum, 105.

55

Vesuvius. 106.

5>

Schiller, ll5.

) J

vestitum coccineum,

H

Scipio, 105.

106.

55

Sesterianum, 84.
setosum, 71.

55

Victoria (Pince's).
106.

55
55
55

Shepherdii, 80.
Sherwoodianum,105.
Sidney Herbert, 105.

55 ■

Victoria, 106.
vir-jatum, 73.
Wallichii, 66.

55

Sigismund Rucker,

Wellsianum, 54.

105.

.^

Wightii. 73.

75

Sikkim species, 65-

^j

Wilsoni, 83.

74.

^^

Wm. Downing, 106.

55

Sir Charles Napier,
105.

55

VYiudsorii, 81.

55

Sir Isaac Newton,
105.

s.

55

Sir James Clark, 105.

5)

Sir John Thwaites,

Sand

, 9.

105.

Sang

uinaria

, The, 156.

})

Sir Robert Peel, 105.

canadensis, 156.

»J

Sir Thos. Seabright,

ScilIa,'The,

161.

105.

j^

Fraseri, 162.

)5

Sir Wm. Armstrong,

55

siberica, 161.

105

Seed.

Propagation by, 36.

188

INDEX.

Shooting Star, 164.
Skimmia, The, 144.

,, japonica, 145.

,, oblata, 145.

Smilacuia, The, 167.

,, bifolia, 168.

Soil, Mode of mixing, 9.

,, Preparation of, 3.
Solomon's Seal, 167.
Spoomvood, 124.
Squill, The, 161.
St. Johns-wort, 147.
Standard Rhododendrons, 25.
Standard Rhododendrons, planting

26.
Star Flower, 165.

T.

Tan for mulching, 13.
Thalictrum anemenoides, 159.
Tiarella, The, 165.

,, cordifolia, 165.
Time of covering Rhododendrons,

23.
Time of uncovering Rhododendrons,

23.
Toothwort, 158.
Transplanting, 16.

., Season for, 17.

Trientalis, The. 165.

,, americana, 165.

Trillium, The, 173.
,, cernuum, 174.
,, erectum, 173.
,, erythrocarpum, 173.

Trillium grandiflorum, 173.

,, pictum, 173.

,, sessile, 173.
Twin Berr}^ 136.
Twinleaf, 157.

u.

Unpacking imported plants, 10.
IJvularia,"The, 167.

V.

Vaccineinn, The, 137.

,, macrocarpon, 138.

,, oxycoccus, 138.

,, stamineum, 138.

„ Vitis-Idsea, 137.

,, ,, majus, 138.

w.

Watering after planting, 11.

Wild Honeysuckle, 116.

Wind injurious to Rhododendrons,

21.
Wintergreen, The, 148.
Winter protection. Houses for, 42.

Z.

Zenobia, The, 141.
,, speciosa, 141.

Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son.