Rhododendron benhallii ex. ‘Plum Drops'

This is a slow-growing and choice, compact deciduous shrub with a somewhat horizontally branched and rounded habit. The small and rounded leaves are deep green, quite hairy and color up quite attractively in the autumn. The exquisite deep rose-purple flowers (mid-spring) are small and bell-shaped, hanging in showy clusters beneath the newly emerging foliage. Perfect in a woodland garden but also quite successful in full sun if well-watered. These are seedlings from our own named selection 'Plum Drops'. This is a stunning and very slow-growing species native to Japan. Rarely offered.

Note: formerly Menziesia ciliicalyx 'Plum Drops'

Plant Characteristics