Catawba Rhododendron
Various species of rhododendron can be found around the Fairsted landscape. They have darker colored leaves than many other plants and are native to Massachusetts. There is a large Rhododendron shrub on the western slope that lends itself to the desired layering effect that Olmsted wanted. The most prominent example is the rhododendron located in the Hollow. It helps create a barrier between the bench and the rest of the landscape. It does this extremely well, as the bench can just barely be glimpsed from outside the Hollow. The long oval leaves add a very distinct addition to the diverse landscape of Fairsted. Within the Hollow, not only does the Rhododendron provide a barrier for the bench, but it is also used to create a stretching effect that was often used in Olmsted’s picturesque landscapes. These long broad leaves appear very close to the path, while thinner-leafed plants are planted well behind. These plants are also able to take up a lot of space while still having a very dense area of leaves. Rhododendrons provide a lot of green to the landscape, as not only are their leaves green, but their fruit is green too. It also maintains its leaves further into the fall than many of the broad-leaf plants around it. Their twisting seemingly random-angle stems also provide a sense of abundance.
