The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

15 Basic Ways To Landscape Your Homepage

The Catawba Rhododendron is another splendid shrub, the beauty of which belies its toughness. It withstands exposure to the elements much better than most other varieties. Of broad grow ing form it often reaches six feet or more in height. The Catawba displays large clusters of showy purple flowers.

In milder climates the rhododendron's use can be extended by planting other varieties, including some evergreen azaleas, to which the rhododendrons are closely related.

All rhododendrons and azaleas require a well drained, moist, acid soil free from lime. Add chemicals or leaf mold to maintain acidity. Occasionally apply liberal amounts of well rotted manure. A mulch of pine needles is also beneficial but positively do not cultivate around the roots.

Rhododendrons and azaleas have many uses. The dwarf varieties find use in rockeries while large types are suitable for foundation plain ings. Or use them in a semi-shady shrub border combined with daphne, mahonia and ferns. You might also want to plant them en masse for striking color effects in the garden.

Mountain-laurel or Kalmia latifolia is another handsome broadieaved evergreen closely related to the rhododendron. It grows happily in shade and the cultural requirements are similar to rhododendrons. Of neat habit, the mountain-laurel generally grows from five to to feet tall. Its showy flowers grow in clusters varying in color from rose to a clean white. It makes an attractive all-year foundation plant and provides excellent undergrowth for wooded planting or rustic effects.

Picris florabunda or Mountain Andromeda is a low-growing evergreen. Of slow growth it seldom reaches a height of more than four feet. Erect panicles of white flowers bloom in early spring. The plant will endure subzero temperatures. A taller and faster growing variety is P. japonica, which has handsome bronze-tinged foliage when only a young plant.

Boxwood is another prized evergreen, one rliar has been in use for centuries. Inspired poets have long called boxwood the "living antique." The dense handsome foliage lends itself to pruning in formal shapes. Or you might let it grow naturally to a fully rounded specimen. Boxwood lias been popular since colonial days in New England. Newer varieties now include the larger-leaved Bux-uS Augustifolia, which grows in tree-like form of exquisite beauty.