ALL RHODODENDRONS

Compact to quite large evergreen shrubs, remaining much smaller in cultivation. A variable, widespread and common species in the wild. The attractive foliage is covered with a pale spongy indumentum beneath. The flowers (mid-spring) are borne in a dense rounded inflorescence and vary in color from white to rose or deep pink, typically with numerous reddish spots. Rare in cultivation but a choice collector’s species. Best in light shade with excellent drainage. From wild collected seed. 

 A choice and hardy deciduous azalea native to Japan with uniquely shaped rose to rose-purple flowers in early spring. Fine fall foliage color, best in light shade. A beautiful species related to R. schlippenbachii, easily grown, hardy and always admired in the early spring garden.

A newly introduced species known from only a handful of locations in the wild. This is a member of Subsection Lapponica and has similar features to the well-known species in that group (russatum, rupicola, etc.). Relatively large leaves for this group and densely covered with dark brown scales beneath. A few flowers have already appeared on these young plants and they are also relatively large and mostly a good blue-purple. From seed collected in the wild. Best in bright light with excellent drainage.

A fast-growing species with strong upright growth and very attractive, shiny foliage. The bell-shaped flowers (late spring to early summer) range in color from white to pink. Very closely related and similar to the more commonly grown aberconwayi which differs in having flatter, less bell-shaped flowers. Grown from seed collected in the wild. Somewhat drought tolerant once established.

A fast-growing species with strong upright growth and very attractive, incredibly shiny foliage. As the name suggests, these should have an inflorescence of hanging flowers ranging in color from white to pink, in late spring. The first re-introduction in the modern era. Grown from seed collected in the wild. Somewhat drought tolerant once established. Really great foliage on these young seedlings.

Large rounded to upright evergreen shrubs or trees with stiff lanceolate foliage. This variety has very dark, reddish-brown indumentum on the undersides of the leaves. The flowers (mid- to late spring) are white, pink, carmine or red. Found at higher elevations than ssp. arboreum and thus generally hardier. An impressive plant in both foliage and flower. Strong growing with a tree-like or large bushy habit. I have not documented the flower color on this clone which was collected wild in Nepal. This selection has the darkest indumentum of any arboreum in our large collection of this variable species - stunning.

This subspecies represents the eastern (Chinese) end of the range of this incredibly widespread species. The glossy leaves have impressed veins above with a spongy fawn indumentum beneath. A large, round and showy inflorescence of red to scarlet flowers in mid-spring. From seed collected in the wild.

A big-leaf species that is more shrub-like than tree-like, this has thick and wooly reddish-brown indumentum on the undersides of the leaves. Smooth and peeling red-brown bark. Grown from seeds produced by a hand pollination here at the garden. Beautiful bark and foliage with cream to deep pink flowers in early spring.