DWARF AND SMALLER-GROWING RHODODENDRON SPECIES

A newly described species that features dense bright green foliage and a low mounding “groundcover-like” habit and leaves that look more like the Japanese species R. keiskei. Deep pink to purple flowers in early summer, at least six weeks later than typical minus. Heat, drought and sun tolerant – these are grown from wild-collected seed. Quite rare with a very limited distribution in the wild.

A very distinct species with bullate hairy leaves and upright clusters of unusual, tubular red to orange or pink flowers in mid-spring. Very striking and always draws attention. Tolerant of full sun and drier conditions once established.

Dwarf evergreen shrubs with extremely small and almost needle-like narrow leaves to one inch long. This prostrate little shrublet is a perfect plant for the rock garden, bog or in a trough. The small, rounded clusters of white flowers appear in early to mid-spring. An extremely hardy and attractive dwarf species. Best in full sun with a moist soil but adaptable to normal rhododendron conditions, light shade probably better in dryer situations. A circumboreal subspecies with an extensive range throughout the boreal portions of the northern hemisphere where it occurs in a wide variety of habitats. This clone grown from a collection of seed at 2,340 ft. in the mountains near Anchorage, Alaska.  

This is a new introduction that has recently been named as a new species. This is a collection from N Vietnam and many of the new introductions from that region are turning out to be much more tolerant of cold temperatures than their northern counterparts. This compact and dwarfish new species features interesting narrow and brownish-silvery scaly foliage and clusters of narrowly tubular pink to pale pink flowers. NOTE: This was sold in the past as “xanthostephanum aff.” and also as "tephropeplum aff."

A dwarf mounding species with dark green scaly leaves, smooth and peeling brown bark and masses of purplish to rose or pink flowers. The new growth emerges a striking deep rose-purple with silvery scales. A beautiful species for light shade with very attractive foliage, bark and flowers. This selection with smaller and more narrow, olive-green leaves and a more upright habit than the typical form. 

A dwarf mounding species with dark green scaly leaves, smooth and peeling brown bark and masses of purplish to rose or pink flowers. The new growth emerges a striking deep rose-purple with silvery scales. A beautiful species for light shade with very attractive foliage, bark and flowers. Grown from seed collected wild in a previously unexplored region of the Eastern Himalaya.

Dwarf evergreen shrubs with small, pointed leaves. The widely funnel-shaped flowers (early to mid-spring) are rose-purple. This alpine species is known only from the Doshong La in SE Tibet. This is a low mounding, heavily flowering species which can be spectacular in bloom. A rarely offered, choice shrub requiring a well-drained but organic soil.

This beautiful species features deep yellow waxy flowers in late spring with deeply bullate, glossy green leaves, each leaf with a fringe of long hairs on their margins. Much larger growing and more vigorous than its close relative - valentinianum. Smooth and peeling reddish-brown bark, this has proven to be quite hardy for a Maddenia in our climate. A stunning foliage plant with the darkest yellow flowers we have seen in a rhododendron. Grown from seed collected in the wild.