Evening star., 1924-06-06
Garden Advice Offered.
Writer Urges Property Owners to
Cultivate Rhododendrons.

Cultivate Rhododendrons.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Department OF Agriculture Is
here in Washington, with the accu-
mulated wisdom Of generations at the
disposal Of any one that will ask for
advice, and yet Washington people
continue to make the grossest mis-
takes in the planting and care Of their
gardens. A few years ago there was
what one might call an outbreak of
rhododendrons; they were planted in
quantities in front of many handsome
houses and made the city gay each
spring. This year the flowers are few
and far between. The trouble is due
to the planting and care. No rhodo-
dendron or azalea will flourish, for in
stance, when exposed to a ral1ine
great part of the day, and it will sure
ly die If the dead leaves are raked
away from its roots, so that the earth
becomes dry. Many Of the rhodode en-
drons Of Washington are exposed to
some or all of these conditions. AS
flowers go, the rhododendron is cost
ly, and this treatment, which results
in gradual decay, is not only an eco
nomic waste, but decided minimiz-
ing of the city's beauty
There is nothing more lovely
Throughout the year than healthy
rhododendron plant-that is, what is
commonly called rhododendron, as
distinct from the azalea, which be-
longs to the same family, but is de-
ciduous. Both flourish in Washing
ton, If given chance-which fact the
luXuriance of the native laurel in the
woods in the park fully proves. But
the chance is not often given. For
instance, lately the wild growth,
which had been very beautiful, was
cleared from the grounds of large
house just built, only a group of laurel
being left The ground close to this
group was spaded UP, in the process
of making a lawn. Then the ground
and the laurel were heavily lined.
Evidently the owner admired the lau-
rel and wished to preserve it, but he
has done everything to hasten its de-
struction. In the first place, he should
not have permitted any digging with
in two or three feet of the plants, be-
LSfuS0 lllo laurel, ike Ine rnOOOQen-
dron, has complicated network of
surface roots, in addition to its deeper
root. These surface roots form a mat,
which should not be cut or disturbed
They should be kept moist, an object
which is defeated when the surface
OF the soil is raked free of leaves. And
as for lime, it is anathema.
The owner of another large house
has imported carloads of rhododen-
dronS to decorate the edge Of his land
Many of the plants were allowed to
lie in the sun, a killing treatment. for
only the hardest plant will survive
exposure of it's roots to the suns rays
The rhododendronS were planted in
land that had been previously raked
clear of leaves and prepared with
manure.
These are but two instances of in
correct treatment, but many others
could be cited. For the sake of the
beauty of Washington, which can be
50 much enhanced by the proper cul-
ture Of the rhododendron, 1 venture
60 give a few general hints which,
though they may not be complete,
will help by drawing attention to the
matter.
Before the planting of rhododen-
dronS IT will be well to remove as
much of the soil. which will pT-obably
De rull OF builders lime and rubble,
as one can afford to do and replace
with some good, rich porous. loamy
SOL. Don't use manure. Plant small
evergreens IN rows. or in bays
couple of feet or'so from the wall of
your house to avoid the drip of the
roof. Then fill in the bed with rho
dodendronS or aZaleaS To make q
better job plant some heaths in front,
saturate the whole bed with water
ana cover with several inches of
leaves-parttally decayed oak leaves
for choice. When the weather is dry
water the roots, being careful to wet
the leaves as little as possible. The
iate autumn or early spring is the
proper time. The rhododendrons must
nave congenial neighbors, such as
eversreens. to protect them from
ORA aughts. and their feet must be kent
damp. which can only be achieved by
maintaining around them a good. deem
mulch Of decayed and decaying leaves
If your rhododrendons are already
growing, lank and short of LEAKAGE in
a dry, unmulched ground. soak the
ground thoroughly and pile on dead
leaves toak- if posi- ble) with a few
branches TO keep them from blowing
away, and see if your plants don't
put out new growth next srine
Those who are interested in the
subject should read "Aristocrats of
the Garden: by Ernest Fl. Wilson of
the Arnold Arboretum. Boston
CDoubleday-Page). There is also an
interesting pamphlet which was is
sued by the American Horticuitural
society in March, 1923. The Effect
OF aluminium Sulphate on Rhodo-
dendron Seedlings" by Dr.. Frederick
'. Cov1lle. botanist of the United
states Department of Agriculture.
me following note, which 7 made
some years ago on reading Mr.. viii
sons very interesting volume. seems
worth tranScribing
ihe evergreen rhododendron is
mainly woodland, partly Alpine. They
snould never be allowed to get dry
at the roots They should be planted
IN situation screened from the
morning sun, sheltered from cold.
cutting winds and where the roots
will keep cool. They do best when
planted in association with trees. and
the soil must not contain lime. Soil
that is moist, porous and fairly rich
IN leaf soil is ideal. Decomposed
gran1t1c soil. rich in humus, or loamv
SOIL is also suitable. The soil in which
they grow should be enriched with
ieaf SOIL or sandy peat, and the plants
must be kept mulched with leaves
Easy to transplant if it is done with
large ball of earth and well sun
pled with water afterward. AS for
azaieas, draught has an evil effect
and they should. therefore, be planted
IN association with heather and ha rdv
neaths, such as ca1luna vulgaris, erica
carnea and erica vagans, which in
themselves are pretty and serve TO
mask the ground from the suns rays.
All mowers should be removed after
they nave faded. in order to prevent
the development of seed pods and 70
encourage new growths"
RAYMOND GORGES.