Hybrid Rhododendrons There at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

RHODODENDRON, ro-do-den'dron, a genus of about 600 species of shrubs and trees of the heath family (Ericaceae), native mainly to cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They are most numerous in the Himala}-an region of Asia; some 25 are indigenous to the United States. Many are popular ornamental plants. Rhododendrons may be evergreen or they may lose their leaves in the fall. The deciduous rhododendrons are known as azaleas. (See AZALEA.) Certain rhododendrons, such as Lapland rosebav.

At the height of their flowering season in early and mid-summer, rhododendrons are the most spectacular of all flowering shrubs. FOR SHEER display none surpasses the group of varieties known as hardy hybrids. These are also the easiest to grow, for, as tfieir name implies, they are quite hardy and will thrive in either sun or shade and in almost any soil that is not chalky or limy. If chalk or lime is present, they can be grown in specially prepared beds of lime-free loam and peat and they will benefit from an annual spring feeding with iron and manganese sequestrols. All hardy hybrid rhododendrons are evergreen and make dome-shaped shrubs eventually 6-10ft high and as much across. Pruning is not necessary, but overgrown bushes can be cut back in spring, one year's flowers being sacrificed.

In addition to the hardy hybrid rhododendrons there are a great many other kinds which are excellent garden shrubs, all evergreen and all disliking chalk or lime. They succeed best in loamy or peaty soils and though some will grow in full sun most prefer a partially shaded place. Many are first-class shrubs for planting in thin woodland.