QBARS - v13n2 Book Reviews: The International Rhododendron Register; The Rhododendron And Camellia Yearbook-1959

Book Reviews
J. Harold Clarke

THE INTERNATIONAL RHODODENDRON REGISTER, By Dr. H. R. Fletcher, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England

This is an alphabetical listing of all known names of Rhododendron and Azalea horticultural varieties. There is usually a brief description together with the name of the originator and the parentage where known. Of special interest and value is the designation of each name as referring to a clone or a group variety, the first such separation of Rhododendron entities on this basis to appear in an English publication. The fact that such a list has been badly needed is brought out by the number of names used more than once, sometimes for as many as half a dozen Rhododendrons or Azaleas or both.
The writer of this review has not counted the total number of names, but they run 25 to 30 to a page, so must total well over 8,000. Every breeder, and most serious Rhododendron and Azalea growers will want this book in their library.

THE RHODODENDRON AND CAMELLIA YEARBOOK-1959, Edited by N. K. Gould, Miss G. E. Peterson, and P. M. Synge, vii plus 156 pp, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England

Each year Rhododendron fanciers throughout the world look forward to seeing this Yearbook, with its accounts of outstanding gardens, its articles on classification, awards, and culture, and its always interesting miscellaneous information.
Featured this year are accounts of Rhododendrons in the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, at Crarae, Ardinglas and others in Argyll, at Branklyn in Perth, and at Linswege in Germany. There is also a discussion of Rhododendrons, and of the Wilson Fifty Kurumes. There are several interesting short articles, accounts of some Rhododendron Shows and a list of varieties receiving R. H. S. Awards during 1958.
For the benefit of the die-hard Rhododendron enthusiast, most of the book is about his favorite plant. The Camellia section is short but of general interest to many gardeners.