Report on the New York Botanical Garden

by Olmsted Brothers

APPENDIX B

More in detail, our ideas as to the Rhododendron Glade and the ends to be aimed at in its establishment are as follows, subject, of course, to modification by further conferences with Dr. Britton.

The scheme of planting would be such as to produce in a large general way and at all times the esthetic qualities of beauty and picturesqueness. The effect of hybrid rhododendrons or azaleas in variety at times of bloom could be gorgeously magnificent so that the beholder might be fairly carried away in his admiration.

At other times the display of bloom, while perhaps in equally large masses and equally effective in stirring the beholder, would be of a more delicate kind, such as is produced by the mountain laurel, which might be further enhanced by being combined with ferns, some of which, notably the gossamer fern (Dicksonia punctilobula), are at their most delicate stage of beauty when the laurel is in bloom. When not in bloom, there would be the beauty and interest of variety of form, of varying shades of green, of the play of light and shadow produced by the thoughtful disposition of the plants in masses and groups or as individual specimens. During the leafless season of deciduous plants there would be the pleasing contrasts between the greens and the bronzes of these evergreen ericaceous plants and the leafless branches and twigs of deciduous subjects.

Hybrid rhododendrons, Carolina rhododendrons, azaleas, lily-of-the-valley shrub, Japanese fetter-bush, Japanese bell-flower, would be some of the kinds occurring in large numbers, particularly over large areas on the slopes; and sorrel trees would rise above the general mass here and there. Combined with these would be such smaller growing plants as heath, heather, bearberry (effective cataracting over rocks), box huckleberry, lambkill. All of these would be distributed well up and down the slope, some of them even occurring sparingly on the floor of the valley.

The many ledges and little rocky declivities would be taken into account in planting so that these would not be unduly concealed, because they would be an important factor in the beauty and charm of the place and could be made to compose and contrast agreeably with the vegetation.

In passing it might be mentioned that Rhododendron maximum and Rhododendron catawbiense would not occur in this scheme except as a few plants of each merely to represent the species, because they have been used abundantly elsewhere in the Garden and because to make them effective scenically, they would have to be used in such large numbers as would seriously curtail other more important effects.

The greater part of the floor of the valley would be a more or less continuous cover made up of low-growing members of the family. There might be a quarter to half an acre in cranberry bog, serving purposes of scenic effect and affording a lesson in economic botany at one and the same time. Other plants that should appear over considerable areas, in simulation of the way they occur in nature, are leatherleaf, Labrador-tea, Rhodora (if it can be made to thrive), Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia glauca, Andromeda polifolia. While in the main this floor-cover should be low, there could be relief here and there from its continuity by individuals and small groups of highbush blueberry, swamp azalea, sweet pepperbush, and even of rhododendrons and mountain laurel.

While the main appeal would thus be to the esthetic and horticultural sense, the botanical or scientific would be well provided for. There would be as complete a representation of the Ericaceae (including such other families as formerly were a part of it) as the climate, soil and location would permit; but many kinds, especially those that would contribute little or nothing to the general scenic or floral effect by being present in large numbers would be represented, each by a few individuals or small colonies so disposed that they could be easily discovered and examined, especially by those interested in learning about the family in detail. Examples of this class are species of Daboecia, Pyrola, Kalmiella, Dendrium, Menziesia, Epigaea.

It would undoubtedly be desirable to include some plants not of the Ericaceae for the purpose of enhancing the artistic effect. Ferns it seems should surely be added. Further, we have in mind some of the conifers, especially various dwarf yews and junipers; also hemlocks, both our northern and the Carolina, and particularly the common inkberry.

The system of paths would be such that the people would be led around to the various vantage points for obtaining the best impressions, and also that access would be afforded for the enjoyment and study of the plants in detail.

Besides path-building, considerable other work of a constructive nature would be required. The bottom of the valley would have to be filled two or three feet in depth above its present elevation and drained somewhat in order to provide the condition suitable for growing the floor-cover vegetation mentioned in the foregoing. Quite likely it would be found advisable to deepen and otherwise to improve the soil conditions on the slopes by adding and incorporating leaf-mold, swamp muck, and the like, and, perhaps, some of the prevalent friable soil native to the region. Here and there a tree might have to be cut and the existing tree growth otherwise manipulated in order to regulate, to as close a nicety as possible, the proportion of light and shade, a factor to which some of the Ericaceae are more sensitive and responsive than the common run of plants. Other constructive work would be that described and implied in the body of our Report.

The area under consideration comprises about ten acres, but it is quite possible that it might be increased to fifteen acres should the growth of the collection of plants make this necessary or desirable.

Resolution of the Board of Managers of
The New York Botanical Garden

adopted November 20, 1924

Resolved, that the Report of Olmsted Brothers be approved in principle as a guide for future treatment of the grounds in the Garden except that there be reserved for future consideration that part of the Report which deals with the proposed modifications of the present road system; and that this Report be printed.