Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-04
THE HOME GARDENER
Seasonal Hints for the Amateur for Bang Surroundings of the Home
B.
HYDROCARBONS
AND AZALEAS

Rea1izing that the average person
knows but little about this beautiful and
interesting group of plants the garden
editor takes pleasure in presenting
summary of lecture given on April 20
bv Prof. Guy E. Yerkes of the United
States Department of Agriculture be-
fore the HyattsvtEe Horticultural So
ciety.
AZaleas and rhododendronS. accord
ing to Prof YerkeS, are placed in single
genus by botanistS although to the cas-
ual observer they appear quite distinct.
Both azaleas and rhododendrons grow
naturally in the vicinity OF washington
The pink azalea now in flower in nearby
woods is called azalea nudifiora because
of the fact that the blooms appear be-
fore the leaves Rhododendron maxi
mum, rosebay, is also found near Wash
ington along the bluffs of Occoquan
Greek. Va, and elsewhere. If dug with
a ball of soil about the roots these
plants may be transplanted to the home
grounds The CataWba rhododendrCE
from the higher Alleghenies and Blue
Ridge Mountains, and the Carolina
rhododendron from North Carolina are
beautiful species and the former has
given rise to numerous cultivated va
rietieS.
Among azaleas. Prof. Yerkes diStin-
cuisines the the flame aZalea from the
Southern Appalachians as the most
beautiful American species. The swamp
azalea, with its white to light pink
blooms and heavy fragrance, occurs
from Maine to Carolina and is affection
ately known by many people. OF the
many introduced aZaleas, the Chinese
azalea is considered very desirable and
the torch azalea (see illuStration), very
snowy with its color range from deep
orange red to light pink. The So-called
kurume aZaleas from Japan include
named varieties of clear bright red, pink
and white hue. They are less hardy than
other foreign azaleaS, but have in many
cases survived nicely in this vicinity
Kurume varieties came to us with
strange Japanese names, which have
been Americanized to the extent OF be-
ing designated as Cherry Blossom,
Flamingo, Coral Bells. Daybreak, etc.
The kurume azaleaS should be protected
during the late Autumn and Winter by
almost covering the plants with leaves.
One of the secrets of successful cul-
ture of rhododendrons and azaleas lies
in the maintenance of slightly acid soil.
That our local soils are generally ia
vorable in this respect is shown by the
presence of native plants. However, in
the wild the plants are favored by an
abundant supply of partly rotted leaves,
twigs and rootletS. Where this plant
residue has collected in mass 1t is known
as peat, and peat found on we'll drained
upland soil is ideal for rhododendronS
and azaleaS, furnishing not only acidity
but also organic matter. Prof. Yerkes
recommends that such peat be mixed
with the soil and used also for mulching
the plants Leaf mold by itself is good,
but should be mixed with sand or partly
rotted peat to make it porous Imported
granulated peat such as is sold by
seedmen can be used instead of woods
peat. In working peat or leaf mold
about plants care should be exercised
not to disturb the shallow roots.
No lime or wood ashes should be
used about rhododendrons or azaleas,
because these substances reduce the
acidity of the soil. Cottonseed meal is
a good fertilizer after the plants have
been established. Aluminium sulphate,
one ounce to one gallon of water, ap
piled to the soil around the plants each
week during the growing season. helps
maintain acidity and stimulates growth.
Concerning location, partial shade is
best for rhododendrons and a2aleas.
maximum is less resist
ant to full light than are the Catawba
and Carolina species. AZaleas succeed
in full light if the soil conditions are
favorable
Prof. Yerkes favors early Spring as
the best time for transplanting. but
urges careful handling at whatever
season. A covering of mulch is bene-
fetal at all times. aiding in conserving
moisture and protecting the roots from
cold and heat. Drought is always a
serious enemy. and particularly of
newly set plants.