RHODODENDRON SPECIES M-Z

SPRING 2008

Rhododendron macrophyllum — (HY, hy, Pontica) 5', -5oF, M-L, 2-3/2-3. While the rating of this flower is on the low side there are exceptions to this generalization. Nice, full trusses are common among the many variations in color of this species. From pure white to shades of pink to red...they are all possible. This native to the west coast has large leaves, sometimes as large as 10". These plants have purposely not been pinched so that they may attain their typical tall stature as they do in the wild.

20168 Rhododendron macrosepalum ‘Linearifolium’ — (TT, tt) 2', 5oF, EM, 4/4. If you want something different, try this. The leaves are up to 3" long and ½" wide. The flowers are pink and have very interesting narrow linear petals like the foliage. 6-10"

20292 Rhododendron makinoi — (HY, hy, Pontica) 3', -10oF, ML, 3-4/4. This unusual plant is most desirable for its superb foliage which is curved downward and backward. The long, narrow bright green leaves are slightly puffy and wrinkled on the tops, indumented underneath with a thick, tawny cover. The delightful, clear light pink flowers, occasionally spotted crimson, are carried in trusses of up to 10. This species has a rounded habit and is slow growing when young. 10-15"

*20493 Rhododendron maximum — hy, hy, Pontica) 5', -25oF, L-VL, 3-3. Large oval dark glossy green leaves with broadly bell-shaped i" flowers. They are bink tipped in bud, and can range in color from white through shades of pink and rose, with yellow-green spots. With age it can reach 15'. 6-10"

20105 Rhododendron megeratum — (RN, rn, Boothia) 18", 5oF, EM, 3/3-4. Growth habit is compact, mound-like, with very hairy branchlets and purplish, scaling bark. Small leaves are oval and shiny. Flowers, are 1 to 2" long, bell-shaped, creamy or yellow, and set in trusses of up to 3. Rare. 6-10"

20378 Rhododendron mimetes — (HY, hy, Taliensia) 3', 0oF, M, 3/3-4/3. Shrub has short, thick branches with medium sized leaves, oblong oval, nearly smooth on top. Flowers are widely funnel shaped, 1-2" long, white, faintly blushed and edged rose, sparsely marked with crimson, held in lax truss to 10. 15-21"

20201 Rhododendron moupinense — (RN, rn, Moupinensia) 30", -5oF, VE, 4/3. The finest of the early blooming species. When all else is dreary, its large, showy, snow white flowers with a deep red-purple blotch, begin their annual display. The 1½" oval foliage is shining and polished looking. An added bonus is the bright bronzy red new growth that gives a second display after the flowers are gone. 3-6", 6-10"

20425 Rhododendron mucronulatum — (RN, rn, Rhodorasta) 5', -20oF, EM, 4/4. This deciduous open and upright shrub is a real winter spirit-lifter, with flowers appearing well ahead of the leaves and long before any other hint of spring has shown. Orchid pink to rose-purple flowers. 6-10"

20380 Rhododendron myrtifolium — (RN, rn, Rhododendron) 2', -10oF, M-L, 3/3. Leaves are quite small, oblong or lance shaped with very tiny round teeth, shiny dark green and glabrous on top, with sparse scales, the underside dense with reddish brown scales. Flowers are tubular spreading to ½" long, rose pink or pinkish purple or white (rarely), held in trusses of 8. 6-10"

Rhododendron nakaharai — (TT, tt) 1', -5oF, L-VL, 4/4. The habit for this little evergreen shrub is creeping, making it a good candidate for borders, rock gardens, or ground covers. Another plus is the late flowering, which misses all spring frosts. The leaves are tiny, only ¾" long, the tops a glossy dark green, the reverse paler and a sparse covering of stiff flat hairs covering both sides. Flowers to 1" long are bell- shaped, rose-red to dark brick red, in clusters of 2-3.

20330 Rhododendron nuttallii — (RN, rn, Maddenia) 5', 15oF, EM, 4/2. Beautiful flowers up to 5" long with a calyx up to 1"! White flushed yellow. A tender Maddenii but worth it if you have the place to take care of it. This is the largest flowered of rhododendron species in cultivation. 6-10"

20208 Rhododendron obtusum var. amoenum — (TT, tt) 3', -5oF, M, 4/3. A very deserving species that seems as if it gives its life to flower so heavily one spring, yet goes on to flower even heavier the next year. The flowers are hose-in-hose and are bright wine red. Small attractive leaves are red in winter. We realize that this may not be a proper name, but for purposes of easy identification, we are leaving it under R. obtusum for now. 6-10", 10-15"

20359 Rhododendron occidentale — (PE, pe, Pentathera) 5', 0oF, M, 4/3. A compact shrub that is native to the Pacific coast. Leaves are deciduous, about 4" long, elliptic and a glossy green, changing to yellow, scarlet or rose crimson in the fall. The delightfully fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers are shades of pink and white. 6-10", 10-15", 15-21"

Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii — (Hy, hy, Fortunea) 5', -10oF, E, 3/3. Growth habit is open and upright on this hardy, early flowering, rarely seen species. Elliptic to oblong leaves, to 3" long, are dark green on top, paler with a waxy, blue-green cast underneath. Tubular, bell-shaped flowers, to 2" long, range in color from white or pink to rose or rosy lilac, sometimes purplish spotted. This is a heavy bloomer, and fairly easy to grow; however, old flowers should be removed.

20213 Rhododendron oreotrephes — (RN, rn, Triflora) 5', 0oF, EM, 3/4. This free flowering species has an upright growth habit typical of members of the Subsection Triflora. A striking glaucous cast occurs on the foliage, stem and buds of R. oreotrephes causing it to appear quite distinct amid garden surroundings. Its pendent small green leaves, red stems and chalk yellow buds are subdued in color by the bluish white cast. Rose- lavender flowers are present along the stems and stem tips. 6-10"

20326 Rhododendron ovatum — (AZ, az) 3', 5oF, ML, 3/3. This species is quite rare in cultivation and somewhat tender. An erect, compact shrub, with small, ovate leaves that are bright red or pink when young. The flowers appear as singles coming from several buds at the ends of the branches. They are light pink with purple spots. From Eastern China. 6-10", 10-15"

20294 Rhododendron pachysanthum — (HY, hy, Maculifera) 30", -5oF, EM-M, 3-4/5. Very beautiful foliage! The leaves are smooth on top, with mature foliage displaying a thick covering of whitish tan indumentum underneath. This plant is similar to R. pseudochrysanthum, and is probably of equal hardiness. It shows all indications of being the R. yakushimanum of the future, possessing the best features of both R. pseudochrysanthum and R. yakushimanum. It also retains the lovely silvery tomentum on the leaf tops longer than R. pseudochrysanthum. Wide, bell shaped flowers are light pink to white, heavily spotted, and are set in trusses of 10-20 flowers. 10-15", 21-30"

20220 Rhododendron pemakoense — (RN, rn, Uniflora) 1', 0oF, VE-E, 3/4. Heavy flowering orchid pink. Cute plant. It is very easily grown and is free flowering. 6-10"

20205 Rhododendron pendulum — (RN, rn, Edgeworthia) 2', 10oF, E-M, 3/5. This straggling, open growing shrub has attractive, densely wooly new growth. Leaves are small and oblong, wrinkled on top, densely covered with fawn or brown cottony hairs. Flowers, in clusters of 2-3, are flat, saucer-shaped, white in color, tinged yellow inside, occasionally touched with pink. VERY RARE. 6-10"

Rhododendron ponticum — (HY, hy, Pontica) 4', -15oF, L, 2-4/4. This shrub has an upright and open habit, with leaves up to 9" long, dark glossy green on the top sides and paler on the reverse. Widely funnel-shaped flowers to 2" long, are deep reddish purple to white, or purple tinged pink, held in trusses of 10-15. 6-10"

20140 Rhododendron principis — (Hy, hy, Taliensia) 5', -5oF, E, 3-4/4. This plant has very beautiful foliage. Very narrow lance-shaped leaves, up to 5" long are pale to dark green, hairless on top and covered thickly with silvery to creamy white or fawn indumentum underneath. Bell-shaped flowers, to 1½" long, are white or rose, spotted carmine or purple and carried in somewhat tight trusses of 15-20. Leaves have a plastered, polished look in spite of indumentum. 10-15", 15-21"

20351 Rhododendron prinophyllum — (PE, pe, Pentathera) 5', -25oF, M, 3/2-3. Tubular, funnel-shaped flowers are pale to deeper pink, clove scented and open at the same time as the leaves. Flowers are held in trusses of 5-9 and most often have a dark brownish red blotch. 10-15", 15-21"

20005 Rhododendron proteoides — (HY, hy, Taliensia) 1', -10oF, EM, 3/5. This is a rare and unusual species; a slow growing, tightly compact and spreading shrub, with typically outstanding R. taliense foliage. Thick, woolly red-brown indumentum on the underside of nicely shaped, rich green leaves contributes much to the appeal of this plant. Bell-shaped flowers are pink in the bud, opening to creamy white or white blushed rose, generously spotted crimson. Difficult to propagate. The connoisseur/collector’s ultimate goal. 6-10" $34.95

Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum — (HY, hy, Maculifera) 1-3',-10oF, EM, 3/4-5. This dense, compact shrub has glossy dark green leaves, paler on the undersides, slightly hairy on both sides. Dark pink buds open to 2" long, bell-shaped flowers, pale pink or white, occasionally displaying rose lines outside and crimson spotting inside. They are held in trusses of 9-20.

Rhododendron racemosum — (RN, rn, Scabrifolia) 2-5', -5oF, E-EM, 4/3. Find a sunny spot for this pert plant and you will discover yourself smiling at it every season of the year. It will grow many erect red stems lined with glossy round leaves. Pink flower buds occur along upper portions of the stem and in multiples at stem tips. Fairly early in the flowering season, R. racemosum will appear as a bundle of clear pink plumes.

Rhododendron recurvoides — (HY, hy, Glischra) 2', -10oF, EM-M, 3/5. If R. roxieanum is the Rolls Royce of rhododendrons, R. recurvoides is its equal. The foliage is long, narrow and pointed, deep green and heavily coated with indumentum, white when young, turning orange-brown with maturity. The Subsection Glischra has plants that are some of the best in the genus for foliage, and recurvoides is a star in the group. The compact trusses are white with a touch of pink. An investment that will gain in value.

20270 Rhododendron strigillosum — (HY, hy, Maculifera) 4', 5oF, E, 5/4. Splashing deep blood red flowers appear early in the spring on top of long slender leaves which are heavily coated with stiff bristles. Midrib on the underside of the leaf is heavily coated with indumentum. The bristles on the new foliage are red, a display all its own. Most beautiful. 10-15"

20271 Rhododendron sutchuenense — (HY, hy, Fortunea) 5', -10oF, VE, 4/3. A hardy, early blooming rhododendron. It will flower between February and April, depending on its location. Heavy exposed boughs form a handsome, wide spreading and open shape. Long slender leaves grace this formal rhododendron. R. sutchuenense’s lightly textured flowers are clear pink with a purple blotch. 15-21", 21-30"

20426 Rhododendron thayerianum — (RN, rn, Argyophylla) 5', 0oF, VL, 3/3-4. Compact upright growth habit with leaves clustered closely around trusses. Large leaves are oblong, glabrous light green on top, the reverse with very thin buff-colored indumentum. Flowers are funnel and bell-shaped, white tinged pink or pink, held in compact trusses from 10-20. A beautiful rhododendron, especially valued for its late flowering. 10-15"

20371 Rhododendron tsariense — (HY, hy, Lanata) 3', 0oF, E, 3/5. This rhododendron is grown for it tremendous cinnamon indumentum. If this never flowered, it should be grown. Its flower are pale pink to white flushed pink and are spotted with crimson. Difficult to propagate, and almost impossible to obtain, it is regal species for the connoisseur. 3-6", 6-10"

20331 Rhododendron viscosum — (PE, pe, Pentaphyllum) 5', -5oF, VL, 2-3/3. This deciduous shrub has a tall, upright growth habit with reddish brown new growth and stiff, flat hairs. Lance shaped leaves, 3½" x 2½", toothed on the edges are glabrous on both sides when mature. Funnel-shaped flowers, up to 1½" are white flushed with pale violet red. 15-21"

20232 Rhododendron wardii — (HY, hy, Campylocarpa) 4', 0oF, M, 4/3-4. Growth habit is open and upright. The leaves to about 4" long, are rounded oval, the tops dark green and non-hairy, underside paler and glaucous. Flowers to 2-3" long, are bowl or cup-shaped, clear lemon to bright yellow, occasionally flushed with green or with a crimson basal blotch, in loose trusses of 7-14 individual blossoms. 10-15", 21-30"

20280 Rhododendron wasonii — (HY, hy, Taliensia) 4', -5oF, EM, 3/3-4. Young foliage buds on this shrub are densely clothed on top with a pale grayish buff tomentum. Leaves, to 4" long, are oval-shaped, dark shiny green and almost hairless on top, layered with thick dark brown or rust colored indumentum underneath. Carried in loose trusses of 6-10, the bell-shaped flowers to 1½" long range from white to creamy white, pink, rose, or yellow and sometimes spotted crimson. 6-10", 10-15"

20281 Rhododendron wiltonii — (HY, hy, Taliensia) 3', -5oF, EM, 3/4. Young growth on this shrub is clothed with greenish white felt. Bell-shaped flowers, to 1½" long, are white or white blushed pink, spotted and blotched crimson, in trusses of up to 10. 3-6", 6-10", 10-15"

20117 Rhododendron yungningense — (RN, rn, Lapponica) 2', -15oF, EM, 3/3. A dwarf shrub, with an open, upright habit and densely scaled new growth. Tiny leaves are oblong lance-shaped and rust colored on the undersides. Funnel-shaped flowers range in color from pale rose-purple to deep purple or dark purplish blue and appear either alone or in pairs. 6-10", 15-21"