Wild Azaleas
At the end of May, in certain south-country woods whose names and localities I have conveniently forgotten, it is possible to see trees of yellow azalea growing wild and with great splendour. Neither Moore nor Step makes any reference to this species, which I can only presume to be A. flare, wind-blown from neighbouring gardens or planted by some unconventional and long-since forgotten landowner. Only there is no doubt as to its wildness now ; for the bushes, unlike the azaleas of flower shops, grow with glorious vigour to a height of 10 and 20 and even 30 feet. And in these already leaf-shadowy woods, and in the evenings especially, the rich yellow -blossmns among the tender green leaves have a half tropical luxuriance, the flowers lily-shaped and the scent extraordinarily Soft and sweet, so that the wild magenta rhododendron of the same district seems by comparison as attractive as a dead-nettle in a cowslip field.
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