rhododendra

The southern front struck me as cold, bald, and inornate. I cannot but think that, in the absence of stone balustrades, the distinctive character of the terraces might have been just as well preserved by formally clipped yews, or, at all events, if a hedge of sweetbrier, or barberries, or privet had been substituted for the rude railing in front of the meadow. Neither would the slopes have looked worse had they been diversified here and there by a flowering shrub, or a straggling cotoneaster, or a small bed of rhododendra.

1875, Last Leaves from the Journal of Julian Charles Young, A.M., Edinburgh, page 131

From the highest point, where the main road sweeps round to the right to avoid a lateral depression, a rough by-road descends abruptly to the bottom of the Goyt Valley, which it reaches near Errwood House, a mansion whose striking situation reminds one of a Highland shooting lodge. The grounds are noted for their rhododendra.

1884, M. J. B. Baddeley, The Peak District of Derbyshire and Neighbouring Counties, page 66

By contrast Trabzon, a city of about 50,000 inhabitants, enjoys a mild climate, and more than adequate rainfall which does its part in encouraging the lavish growth of rhododendra along the whole Lazistan coast. […] Some forest remains in this region but the best forests were long ago cut down and the space filled with rhododendra.

1970, History of the First World War, page 1308

But anyways,the point is that 'cos say, Steph and I don't see culture in precisely the same way, that doesn't mean I should threaten to eat her poodle, or have her threaten to eat my prize-winning rhododendra.

1994 March 19, Michael Yin, “Re: My Disillusionment with this Group”, in soc.culture.asian.american (Usenet), message-ID <2meei0$3m4@agate.berkeley.edu>

> Camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons spring to mind. My camellia has / > just given me the most wonderful display yet, its been in there just / > 3 years - Needs acid soil and should be planted in shade which / > does not get morning sun though! /[…] You might try cherry laurel, although not everyone would agree on beauty of blooms. Many varieties are available, and most seem to be more tolerant of sun and dry conditions than rhododendra.

1995 April 26, “Re: Evergreens please”, in rec.gardens (Usenet), message-ID <3nkbpa$li3@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>