Rhododendron fortunei ssp. fortunei (“Round-Leaf Form”)

 These are seedlings grown from a hand-pollination here at the RSBG utilizing what we are currently calling R. fortunei (round-leaf form). The parent plants were grown from seed of “orbiculare ssp. cardiobasis” collected wild by Alan Clark in NE Guangxi and they do look very much like what one would expect – rounded leaves with a strongly cordate leaf base - very similar to the leaves of orbiculare. However, once the original seedlings flowered, we realized they were actually more closely related to the widespread and variable R. fortunei with large and upright trusses of very openly campanulate and fragrant white to pink flowers in late spring (vs. the pendulous, non-fragrant bells of orbiculare in mid-spring). The habit of this new collection was also much more upright and tree-like (as in fortunei) vs. a dense rounded shrub (as in orbiculare). So – these are basically large and vigorous, upright evergreen shrubs with round, very “orbiculare”-like foliage and showy fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. The parent plants are simply stunning. 

Plant Characteristics

• Evergreen
• Fragrant
• Flowering
• Cold hardy
• Fast-growing

• Outdoors

• Partial shade
• Full sun

Fragrant