Self-Guided Garden Tours

Our Garden Map is shown below, but select one of the tabs above  to view the Self Tour for the current season – or just browse them all!

Download our Mid-Spring Self Tour

Enter the courtyard and look to your right where you will see #1 Arisaema sikokianum*, Jack in the Pulpit.This strange-looking plant has a beautiful but unusual flower of dark purple and white. It is easily grown in the shaded garden. From the garden shop walk to your left and visit the clear pink-flowered #2 Rhododendron schlippen-bachii, the Royal Azalea, straight ahead. This plant is fa-mous for its beautiful flowers in early spring as well as the wonderful orange fall foliage color. On your right is #3 Ribes sanguineum*, Flowering Currant. Native to the Northwest, this hummingbird favorite thrives in our cli-mate and is adaptable to almost any garden situation.

Take the left path between the two deciduous magnolia trees and you are in the Upper Woodland Garden which features many species with thickly indumented leaf un-dersurfaces. The magnolia on your right is #4 Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta from China. This pink flowering magnolia has among the largest flowers of any magnolia. This plant is fairly uncommon in cultivation despite the large flowers and nice foliage. The one on your left is #5 Magnolia hypoleuca from Japan. Its cup-shaped creamy white flowers appear in June and its huge leaves grow up to one and a half feet long!

Keep going and you will see #6 Luzula sylvatica ’Aurea’ Golden Wood Rush. The evergreen grass-like leaves of this plant are gold green in the spring, maturing to lime green at the end of the season adding wonderful color to a shady part of the garden. Next stop is a patch of #7 Coptis laciniata, Goldthread* on your left. This slow-spreading groundcover is native to the Pacific Northwest. The name comes from the golden yellow rhizomes that creep just beneath the surface of the ground. Continue straight ahead where you will see #8 Paeonia mairei on your left. This is a rare woodland species from the wild forests of China. This early spring-blooming peony enjoys shade unlike the common garden peony which requires full sun to thrive.

Let’s walk back to the main path and make a left turn. Keep going until you see #9 Rhododendron williamsi-anum on your left. This popular species has attractive pink bell-shaped flowers followed by reddish-bronze new growth. Take the next left turn to visit the Big Leaf Garden. Most of the big-leafed rhododendrons eventu-ally become very large trees in their native temper-ate rainforests in the Sino-Himalaya. Stay to the left and you will see #10 Rhododendron cinnabarinum on your right. This blue-green leaved rhododendron is native to the Himalaya Mountains. The pendu-lous, tubular-shaped flowers are variable in color—from red to yellow, orange, and even bi-color.

Straight ahead you will see #11 Podophyllum plei-anthum*, the Asian May Apple. This is a beautiful woodland plant with umbrella-like foliage. The plant is used medicinally in its native China. You should now be veering slightly to the right and headed back toward the main path. Continue for-ward to #12 Matteuccia struthiopteris*, the Os-trich Fern. The new growth of the emerging fiddle-heads is very beautiful.

Follow the sign and you will see #13 Rhododendron rex* on both sides. This plant has extremely attrac-tive shiny deep green foliage with a thick gray to buff indumentum beneath. In China, where it grows wild, it can attain heights of up to 45 feet. You will also see #14 Polygonatum the Giant Solomon’s Seal*. This shade-loving plant produces arching stems with clusters of delicate white flowers dan-gling beneath the leaves. Back to the main path is #15 Primula denticulata*. This Himalayan species is known as the Drumstick Primrose and blooms for a long period each spring.

Now, make a left turn on the main path. You will see #16 Rhododendron huianum* on your left. This species from China has strikingly colored flowers and new growth. Keep going until you see the Him-alayan Blue Poppy meadow on your left. Check out the new growth of #17 Cardiocrinum giganteum* which looks similar to a shiny green hosta. This is the Himalayan Giant Lily which can grow to 12 feet tall with masses of six inch long fragrant flowers in June. The clusters of fuzzy leaves are the Blue Pop-pies*.

Keep going along the main path until you see the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Victorian Stumpery (#18) on your right. A stumpery is an English Victorian period garden design that romanticizes nature. The design uses tree roots and stumps placed on their sides or upside down creating a “Wild Scene” which is then planted with thou-sands of ferns and other woodland plants. Have a seat on the cut cedar-log bench at the top of the Stumpery and enjoy the view of the pond garden.

From the Stumpery, walk back along the main path toward the blue poppies and take an imme-diate left. Go up the hill and you will see #19 Rhododendron pachysanthum to your left. This native of Taiwan is one of the finest foliage plants in the genus. Next stop is #20 Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum* also native to Taiwan. The flower color of this species varies from white to light pink. These are both superb slow growing garden plants with very attractive foliage.

Now, walk up the hill to the Alpine Garden (#21). Please take some time to explore this unique garden area. Most of the plants here are found at high altitudes in the mountains of Asia. Walk up toward the Gazebo as you see #22 Rhododen-dron russatum to your right. This dwarf alpine rhododendron has vivid dark purple flowers. In China, it grows wild in various alpine habitats from 11,000 to 14,000 ft. The plant that sur-rounds the Gazebo is #23 Rhododendron degro-nianum ssp. yakushimanum* which is found only on the very top of an ancient volcano on Yaku Island, Japan. Come back in early May to see the impressive floral display of this species.

Follow the sign for the Rutherford Conservatory (a separate self-guided handout is available to tour the Rutherford Conservatory). From here, you can walk back to the garden shop where you started. Many of the plants you viewed today are available in the RSBG Garden Shop Nursery but are quite rare in regular retail nurseries. We hope you enjoyed the self guided tour today. Please come back and visit the garden soon!

* For sale at RSBG Nursery

Download the Late Spring 2012 Self-Tour

Enter the courtyard and look to your right where you will see #1 Arisaema sikokianum*, Jack in the Pulpit. This strange-looking plant has a beautiful but unusual flower of dark purple and white. It is easily grown in the shaded garden. Follow the sign to the main path and you will see #2 Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum, Doublefile Viburnum* native to China and Japan. This deciduous shrub provides beautiful white blossoms in the spring as well as stunning fall color.

Take the left path between the two deciduous magnolia trees and you are in the Upper Woodland Garden which features many rhododendrons with thickly indumented leaf undersurfaces. The magnolia on your right is #3 Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta from China. This pink flowering magnolia has among the largest flowers of any magnolia. This plant is fairly uncommon in cultivation despite the large flowers and nice foliage. The one on your left is #4 Magnolia hypoleuca from Japan. Its cup-shaped creamy white flowers appear in June and its huge leaves grow up to one and a half feet long!

Keep going and you will see #5 Speirantha convallarioides*, False Lily of the Valley on your left. This is a choice and very slow-growing evergreen groundcover with fragrant white flowers in spring. Next to Speirantha is a patch of #6 Coptis laciniata, Goldthread* on your left. This slow-spreading groundcover is native to the Pacific Northwest. The name comes from the golden yellow rhizomes that creep just beneath the surface of the ground.

Follow the sign to the main path and make a left turn. Keep going until you see #7 Primula japonica*, Japanese Primrose on your left. The flowers are arranged in distinct levels and put on a beautiful display every spring. Take the path to your left to visit the Big Leaf Garden. Most of the big-leafed rhododendrons eventually become very large trees in their native temperate rainforests in the Sino-Himalaya.

Straight ahead you will see #8 Podophyllum pleianthum*, the Asian May Apple. This is a beautiful woodland plant with umbrella-like foliage. The plant is used medicinally in its native China. Across form the May Apple is #9 Acer palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’. The very finely-dissected leaves open yellow-green, turn a deep-green in summer and change to bright burgundy in fall. You should now be veering slightly to the right and headed back toward the main path. Continue forward to #10 Matteuccia struthiopteris, the Ostrich Fern. The new growth of the emerging fiddleheads is very beautiful.

Follow the sign and you will see #11 Rhododendron rex* on both sides. This plant has extremely attractive shiny deep green foliage with a thick gray to buff indumentum beneath. In China, where it grows wild, it can attain heights of up to 45 feet. You will also see #12 Polygonatum the Giant Solomon’s Seal*. This shade-loving plant produces arching stems with clusters of delicate white flowers dangling beneath the leaves.

Now, make a left turn on the main path. Keep going until you see the Himalayan Blue Poppy meadow on your left. Check out the new growth of #13 Cardiocrinum giganteum* which looks similar to a shiny green hosta. This is the Himalayan Giant Lily which can grow to 12 feet tall with masses of six inch long fragrant flowers in June. The clusters of fuzzy leaves are the Blue Poppies*.

Keep going along the main path until you see the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Victorian Stumpery (#14) on your right. A Stumpery is an English Victorian period garden design that romanticizes nature. The design uses tree roots and stumps placed on their sides or upside down creating a “Wild Scene” which is then planted with thousands of ferns and other woodland plants. Have a seat on the cut cedar-log bench at the top of the Stumpery and enjoy the view of the pond garden.

From the Stumpery, walk back along the main path toward the blue poppies and take an immediate uphill left at the dwarf Japanese maple. Go up the hill to the Alpine Garden (#15). Please take some time to explore this unique garden area. Most of the plants here are found at high altitudes in the mountains of Asia. Walk up toward the Gazebo which is surrounded by #16 Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum*. This species is found only on the very top of an ancient volcano on Yaku Island, Japan. The apple-blossom pink flowers will eventually fade to pure white.

Follow the sign for the Rutherford Conservatory (a separate self-guided handout to tour the Rutherford Conservatory is available inside).

From the front door of the conservatory, head back to the road (main path) and go left to visit #17 Azalea garden. Please explore and enjoy this part of the garden filled with color and fragrance. The beds in between the azaleas are filled with Iris sibirica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ and Primula prolifera.

Here are some of the azaleas you will find.

#18 Rhododendron atlanticum has very fragrant flowers with blue green foliage. It’s native to the coast of the eastern US.

#19 Rhododendron luteum* has bright yellow flowers with extremely high fragrance. Beautiful fall color is another attractive feature.

#20 Rhododendron canescens is another fragrant azalea that is native to the eastern US.

Walk back toward the conservatory as you enjoy the view of #21 Rhododendron kiusianum* on your right. This extremely variable and easy to grow plant is native to mountain slopes on the main island of Japan. It is very slow growing and is popular for bonsai and container culture.

From here, you can walk back to the garden shop where you started. Many of the plants you viewed today are available in the RSBG Garden Shop Nursery but are quite rare in regular retail nurseries. We hope you enjoyed the self guided tour today. Please come back and visit the garden soon!

Download Early Summer_2012 Self Tour

From the Garden Shop, stay to your left and follow the sign and walk to the Upper Woodland Garden which fea-tures many species with thickly indumented leaf under-surfaces. Take the path between the two deciduous mag-nolia trees. The magnolia on your right is #1 Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta from China. This pink flowering magnolia has among the largest flowers of any magnolia. This plant is fairly uncommon in cultivation despite the large flowers and nice foliage. The one on your left is #2 Magnolia hypoleuca from Japan. Its cup-shaped creamy white flowers appear in June and its huge leaves grow up to one and a half feet long!

Walk farther along the path and you will see various kinds of woodland groundcovers including :
#3 Luzula sylvatica (Golden Wood Rush)
#4 Gymnocarpium (Oak Fern)
#5 Ajuga (Bugleweed)
#6 Speirantha convallarioides (False Lily of the Valley)*
#7 Coptis laciniata, Goldthread*
#8 Primula moupinensis*

These groundcovers are suitable for shady woodland gar-dens. #7 Coptis laciniata is a slow-spreading groundcover and native to the Pacific Northwest. The name comes from the golden yellow rhizomes that creep just beneath the surface of the ground. The last in the list, #8 Primula moupinensis, is a very interesting and rare primrose from S. Sichuan, China. What makes it interesting is it sends numerous runners just like strawberries. Pale pink flowers are produced in early spring.

Let’s walk back to the main path and make a left turn. Pass the bamboo on your right and walk on to the narrow path on your left. This area is called the Big Leaf Garden. Most of the big-leafed rhododendrons eventually become very large trees in their native temperate rainforests in the Sino-Himalaya. Notice the beautiful new growth of #9 Rhododendron hodgsonii native to the eastern Himalayan Mountains. The new foliage emerges with shiny silvery indumentums, and the smooth and exfoliating older stems are also attractive. On your left, you will see #10 Acer palmatum ‘Red Pygmy’. Notice the reddish-maroon foliage that maintains its color all summer long.

Continue straight ahead to a large patch of #11 Podo-phyllum pleianthum*, the Asian May Apple. This is a beautiful woodland plant with umbrella-like foliage. The plant is used medicinally in its native China. Across form the May Apple is #12 Acer palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’. The very finely-dissected leaves open yellow-green, turn a deep-green in summer and change to bright burgundy in fall.

You should now be veering slightly to the right and headed toward the main path. Stay to the left and see #13 Rhododendron rex* on both sides. This plant has extremely attractive shiny deep green foliage with a thick gray to buff indumentums beneath. In China, where it grows wild, it can attain heights of up to 45 feet. On your left, see #14 Arisaema consan-guineum, Jack in the Pulpit. This is a fantastic and unusual woodland plant that is easily grown in a shaded garden.

Go back to the main path and take a left. On your left, you will see #15 Primula secundiflora*. Look closely and notice the calyx with vertical stripes. This species is native to China. Keep walking and you will see #16 Lilium hansonii on your right. The reflexed petals of the bright yellow-orange flowers are very thick in texture. It’s native to Korea and Japan. This lily was grown from seed collected wild in Japan. Across from the lilies is #17 the Meconopsis meadow planted with hundreds of Himalayan Blue Poppies* just finish-ing blooming. #18 Cardiocrinum giganteum, the Him-alayan Giant Lily from China can grow to 12 feet tall with masses of six inch long fragrant flowers in June. This plant is monocarpic, which means it dies after flowering.

Keep going along the main path until you see the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Victorian Stumpery (#19) on your right. A Stumpery is an English Victorian pe-riod garden design that romanticizes nature. The de-sign uses tree roots and stumps placed on their sides or upside down creating a “Wild Scene” which is then planted with thousands of ferns and other woodland plants. Have a seat on the cut cedar-log bench at the

top of the Stumpery and enjoy the view of the pond garden.
From the stumpery, walk back along the main path toward the blue poppies and take an immediate up-hill left at the dwarf Japanese maple. Go up the hill and you will see #20 Rhododendron pachysanthum on your left. This is one of the finest foliage plants in the genus Rhododendron. Indumentum color ranges from silver-white to rich brown on the upper surface. It’s native to Taiwan. Up the hill is the Alpine Gar-den (#21). Please take some time to explore this unique garden area. Most of the plants here are found at high altitudes in the mountains of Asia. Don’t miss the beautiful specimen of #22 Rhododen-dron campylogynum*. Walk up toward the Gazebo for a break and the fine view.

Follow the signs for the self-guided tour which will take you past #23 Stewartia pseudocamellia, a sum-mer-flowering tree with beautiful bark. This camellia relative also has colorful fall foliage. Continue straight ahead to the Rutherford Conservatory (a separate self-guided handout to tour the Rutherford Conservatory is available inside).

From the front door of the conservatory, head back to the main path and go left to visit #24 Azalea gar-den. The mass plantings of #25 Primula prolifera and #26 Iris sibrica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ is a stunning color combination. Also, don’t miss the bloom of #27 Rho-dodendron calendulaceum*, the Flame Azalea which is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern USA where it occurs in forests and rocky openings.

From here, you can walk back to the garden shop where you started. Many of the plants you viewed today are available in the sales area. Most of these plants are rare in retail nurseries. We hope you en-joyed the self guided tour today. Please come back and visit the garden again.

* For sale at the RSBG Nursery

Download the Fall 2011 Self-Tour

From the Garden Shop, walk straight to visit #1 Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum*) native to China and Japan. This deciduous shrub provides beautiful white blossoms in the spring as well as a stunning reddish-bronze fall color.

Take a left on the main road and follow the sign to visit the Upper Woodland Garden which features many rhododendrons with thickly indumented leaf undersurfaces. A little further on, you will see #2 Acer sieboldianum on your right. The brilliant scarlet autumn coloration is an outstanding feature of this species. This is one of the most common species in the mountain forests of Japan. Keep going until you see #3 Speirantha convallarioides*, False Lily of the Valley, on your left. This is a choice, very slow-growing evergreen groundcover with fragrant flowers in spring. Nearby is #4 Coptis laciniata*, Gold Thread. This slow-spreading groundcover is native to the Pacific Northwest. The name comes from the golden yellow rhizomes that creep just beneath the surface of the ground.

Follow the sign to the main path and make a left turn. Pass the bamboo on your right and follow the sign to the narrow path to your left. This area is called the Big Leaf Garden. Most of the big-leafed rhododendrons eventually become very large trees in their native temperate rainforests in the Sino-Himalayas. On your left, you will see #5 Acer palmatum ‘Red Pygmy’. This elegant Japanese Maple changes color from maroon (spring) to reddish green (summer) to yellow (fall) as the seasons progress. Continue straight ahead and stay on the path to visit #6 Acer palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’ on your right. This is an outstanding small specimen tree with delicately dissected leaves. The leaves emerge a brilliant green with red petioles in spring.

Veer slightly to the right and follow the sign to the plantings of #7 Rhododendron rex* on both sides. This plant has extremely attractive, shiny deep-green foliage with a thick gray to buff indumentum beneath. In China, where it grows wild, it can attain heights of up to 45 feet. R. rex in one of the hardiest big-leafed rhododendrons in our climate.

Now, make a left turn on the main path. Keep going until you see the Himalayan Blue Poppy Meadow on your left. The towering stalks hold the seed pods of #8 Cardiocrinum giganteum, the Himalayan Giant Lily from the Sino-Himalaya. These fragrant lilies bloomed in June with the tallest one measuring a whopping 13’9” tall! They are monocarpic which means they die after producing flowers. The clumps of fuzzy leaves are the blue poppies which bloom in the spring.

Keep going along the main path until you see #9 Acer griseum, Paperbark Maple, on the left corner. This Chinese native features scarlet fall colors as well as the decorative exfoliating bark. Keep walking to the plantings of #10 Rhododendon exasperatum. Their foliage emerges blue-green and stays smooth and glossy throughout the season. Under R. exasperatum, you will find #11 Gaultheria nummularioides* from China. This small scale, evergreen groundcover is spread by aboveground and underground runners. This plant performs well under the rhododendrons forming a dense and attractive mat.

Walk the main path and you will see the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Victorian Stumpery (#12) on your right. A stumpery is an English Victorian period garden design that romanticizes nature. The design uses tree roots and stumps places on their side or upside down creating a “Wild Scene” which is then planted with thousands of ferns and other woodland plants. Have a seat on the cut cedar-log bench at the top of the Stumpery and enjoy the view of the pond garden.

From the Stumpery. Walk back along the main path towards the paperbark maple and take the first left path. Go up the hill and you will see #13 Rhododendron pachysanthum on your left. This is one of the finest foliage plants in the genus Rhododendron. Indumentum color ranges from silver-white to rich brown on the upper surface. It’s native to Taiwan. Up the hill is the Alpine Garden (#14). Before you explore the alpine garden, let’s visit the #15 Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) from Japan. You might notice the cotton candy scent that’s given off by its fallen leaves. Some people describe the scent as caramel or cinnamon.

Now, walk back to the alpine garden and walk up the hill. Most of the plants here are found at high altitudes in the mountains of Asia. Visit #16 Polygonum vacciniifolium from the Himalayas on your left. This plant performs well as a groundcover under large rhodies as well as in rock gardens. The foliage turns bright red in the fall.

Walk up towards the Gazebo which is surrounded by #17 Rhododendron degronianum ssp. Yakushimanum*. This species is only found on the very top of an ancient volcano on Yaku-island, Japan. The foliage of this plant has thick fulvous indumentum. Follow the sign for the self-guided tour which will take you past #18 Stewartia pseudocamellia, Japanese Stewartia, on your left. This is a summer flowering tree with beautiful bark. This camellia relative also has a colorful fall foliage. Continue straight ahead for the Rutherford Conservatory (a separate self-guided handout to tour the Rutherford Conservatory is available inside).

From the front door of the conservatory, head back to the main path and take a left. The last stop of this tour is  major on your left. This plant belongs to the witch-hazel family and is native to the southeast of the USA. The foliage of this plant turns cherry-red, orange or bright yellow in the fall and is very attractive.

From here, you can walk back to the garden shop where you started. Many of the plants you viewed today are available in the sales area. Most of these plants are rare in retail nurseries. We hope you enjoyed the self-guided tour today. Please come back and visit the garden again soon.

 Download the Late Winter Self Tour

Welcome to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG). This self guided tour will take approximately 1-1.5 hours depending on how long you spend examining the plants. Please enjoy our 22 acre display of rhododendrons!

 #1 Rhododendron strigillosum welcomes you to the garden as you enter to the courtyard. This early flowering species puts on a spectacular display every year. It has distinctive bristles on the midrib, petiole, and foliage. R. strigillosum is native to Sichuan and NE Yunnan, China.

Take a left turn on the main road and continue to the path on the left. This area is called the Upper Woodland Garden which features many species with thickly indumented leaf undersurfaces. On your left, #2 Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant) is in bloom. Native to the Northwest, this plant adds great color to the woodland garden in late winter when not many things are in bloom. This pure white selection is called ‘Henry Henneman.’

Keep going downhill and stay on the right path as it veers to the right. Go across the main road to visit #3 Rhododendron praevernum. This quite showy and very hardy species is native to W. Hubei and E. Sichuan, China.

Go back to the main road and go down the hill. Right after you pass the bamboo on your right, you will see #4 Rhododendron oreodoxa v. fargesii. This is an easily grown and free flowering species with very frost hardy flower buds. That is why they bloom reliably every year despite the early season bloom. It is native to woodlands in Sichuan, Gansu, and Hubei in China.

Now take the next marked left turn to visit the Big-Leaf Garden. Most of the big-leafed rhododendrons eventually become very large trees in their native temperate rainforests in the Sino-Himalaya. Many of these rhododendrons bloom fairly early in season including R. rothschildii and R. praestans.

Make a right turn where the path splits, and at the end of the path, you will see #5 Rhododendron principis in bloom on your right. This is a very attractive species with thick and spongy white indumentum on the underside of the leaves. It is found only in E. Tibet where it is common in a wide variety of habitats.

At this point, take a sharp right back toward the main path. On your right you will notice a large planting of clumping evergreen perennial plants in full flower #6. This is a lily relative from China known as Ypsilandra thibetica* and the white flowers are very fragrant. This easily grown woodland wildflower was introduced into cultivation by the RSBG and is available in our Nursery.

Now, go back to the main road and take a left. Walk past the black bamboo on your left and a large flowering Mahonia (#7) on your right. The bright yellow flowers of this plant are a valuable food source for over-wintering hummingbirds.

Just past this point is the Meconopsis meadow planted with hundreds of Himalayan Blue Poppies*. Check out the new growth of Cardiocrinum giganteum (#8) which looks similar to a shiny giant green hosta. This is the Himalayan Giant Lily which can grow to 12 feet tall with masses of six inch long fragrant flowers in June. Narcissus cyclamineus (#9) was just added to this meadow last year. These bright yellow pendant flowers with sharply reflexed petals are very attractive. They thrive in damp conditions. The clusters of emerging fuzzy leaves are the Blue Poppies, make sure you come back to see them blooming in late April and May, it’s spectacular. Behind the Meconopsis Meadow, Rhododendron erosum (#10) is putting on quite a show. This species is very closely related to #11 Rhododendron barbatum which is planted on the right side of the Meconopsis Meadow. Both species have very attractive smooth peeling bark and are native to the high mountain forests of the Himalayas.

Keep going along the main path until you see the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Stumpery (#12) on your right. A stumpery is a Victorian period garden design that romanticizes nature. The design uses tree roots, placed on their sides or upside down. The tree roots are exposed creating a “Wild Scene” and then planted with thousands of ferns and other woodland plants. As you enter the stumpery, you will note a grove of red-flowering Rhododendron strigillosum (#13) on your right. Have a seat on the cut cedar-log bench at the top of the stumpery and enjoy the view of the pond garden. Behind that log, #14 Rhododendron hirtipes is in bloom. This rarely encountered species has vibrant, “hot pink” flowers that are very attractive in early spring. This plant is native to SE Tibet.

From the stumpery, take the path to the pond garden (follow the sign). Take a right turn to visit #15 Rhododendron ririei. The bell-shaped flowers are purplish in color with dark nectar pouches and the lower surface of the leaves is covered with a thin plastered indumentum. It is native to a limited area of Sichuan, China.

Proceed around the curve and keep going straight. Follow the signs across the road until you reach #16 Rhododendron leucaspis with its flat white flowers and chocolate anthers. The leaves are densely covered with soft hairs. This plant is native to SE Tibet. Right after that, you will see #17 Rhododendron lutescens on your right. This lovely species with pale yellow flowers also has attractive reddish new growth.

Take the first right and walk toward the gazebo which is surrounded by #18 Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum*. Come back in early May to see the impressive floral display of this species.

Continue straight ahead to the Rutherford Conservatory. (A separate self-guided handout is available to tour the Rutherford Conservatory)

From here, you can walk back to the Garden Shop where you started. Many of the plants you viewed today are available in the RSBG Nursery. Most of these plants are rare and hard to find in retail nurseries. We hope you enjoyed the self guided tour today. We hope to see you again in our ever-changing and always beautiful garden!

Download the Self-guided_tour_for_Rutherford_Conservatory

Self‐Guided Tour
Rutherford Conservatory
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

Welcome to the Rutherford Conservatory. This 5000-square-foot conservatory was specifically designed to grow and display tropical rhododendrons (often called vireya rhododendrons) along with a selection of the rare and interesting plants that grow with them in the remote mountains of Borneo, New Guinea, and other regions of southeastern Asia.

Approximately one‐third (about 300) of the total species of genus Rhododendron known to occur in the wild are considered vireya rhododendrons. Due to their tropical origins, these species are sensitive to cold temperatures and cannot be grown outside in our climate. In addition to the vireya species, there are many other rhododendrons that are found at low elevations or in southern latitudes that will not survive outdoors even in the relatively mild climate of the maritime Pacific Northwest.

You may notice as you enter the Conservatory (especially when it is cold outside) that it is not as hot and steamy as you would expect upon entering a “tropical greenhouse.” This may seem counterintuitive since we are growing plants that are actually from the tropics. However, the rhododendrons and other plants growing in the conservatory are almost always found growing high in the tropical mountains where the temperatures remain relatively cool year round. These high mountains regularly experience cold temperatures but do not experience the hot and muggy temperatures you would typically associate with a tropical climate. In summary, we have designed this building to maintain temperatures that do not fall below freezing in the winter while providing the cooling necessary in the summer months to mimic the natural conditions experienced by these plants in their native habitats.

To begin your tour, please enter the Conservatory from the direction of the Garden Gift Shop. Once inside, proceed forward to a planting of several vireya Rhododendron species chosen to highlight the incredible diversity of this remarkable group of plants, as well as their beautiful flowers and unusual foliage. One of these is Rhododendron taxifolium (#1), a unique species with distinctly “un‐rhododendron‐like” narrow, dark green, shiny, yew‐like foliage. The small funnel‐shaped flowers are pure white and borne profusely throughout much of the year. It is a recent introduction into cultivation from its only known native locale on a single mountaintop on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is considered an extremely endangered species due to human activities and may now be extinct in the wild. Fortunately, it is well established in cultivation. Its companion here is R. rubineiflorum (#2), a dwarf species native to the high mountains of Papua New Guinea that has a “groundcover‐like” habit due to its underground runners. Another one of its delightful features is the almost year‐round production of small but bright red, broadly bell‐shaped flowers nestled among the tiny glossy leaves.

Another distinct vireya rhododendron is the stunning R. himantodes (#3). This species from Borneo features unusually narrow needle‐like leaves with a very dwarf, tree‐like habit. The very narrow leaves of this species are notable for their dense coating of silver and brown scales, the latter being obvious to the naked eye. In addition, the flower buds and subsequent pure white flowers are densely coated with golden‐brown scales – a stunning, though very small‐scale, bit of eye‐candy.

As you continue along the path notice on your right the mass planting of the superb R. stenophyllum (#4), another relatively small‐growing plant with incredibly long and narrow leaves. The flowers of this species, which is native to the high mountains of Borneo, are almost as noteworthy as the foliage. For close to half of the year, from early winter to late spring, the dark shiny red buds open to clusters of two or three bright orange, perfectly bell‐shaped flowers – a striking combination.

Across the path on your left is a small shaded “grotto‐like” cliff planted with many specimens of Oreocharis auricula (#5) ‐ a relative of the African Violet with similar evergreen foliage but with narrow and tubular purple flowers. This species is native to the mountains of southern China where it grows on shaded, mossy cliffs. Many other plants of the African Violet family (Gesneriaceae) are featured in the Conservatory including members of the genera Briggsia, Chirita, and Aeschynanthus.

On top of the tall rock column next to the miniature grotto is a specimen of Agapetes serpens (#6) which is closely related to the common blueberry. The species of Agapetes differ from blueberries in their longer, tubular flowers but produce the same “blueberry” fruits. Agapetes grow high up in the tops of trees in the wild (“epiphytically”) as do most of the rhododendrons and orchids growing in the Conservatory. Because of their arboreal habitats in the wild, these species are adapted to surviving with a very little soil and a small root system which is how a plant as large as the one on display here can survive sitting on the top of a rock!  There are several other species of Agapetes growing in the Conservatory, and the RSBG is well known as having the finest North American collection of this rarely grown, but strikingly beautiful genus.

Continue along the path and note the broad‐leafed evergreen tree on your right. This is Gordonia yunnanensis (#7) a large tree found growing in the mountains of southern China that is closely related to the common camellia. It is attractive throughout the year due to its glossy, leathery leaves but really puts on a display when its huge white flowers appear in late winter. These have a large mass of golden stamens in their center and have been compared to “massive fried eggs,” but in reality they look very much like a giant‐flowered white camellia.

Just ahead and across the path from the Gordonia is an artificial tree‐trunk manufactured with moss and bark that has been wrapped around one of support beams in the center of the Conservatory. This man‐made habitat mimics the epiphytic (literally “growing upon plants”) nature of the plants we are cultivating. In areas of the world with the right climatic conditions, many plants have evolved to grow on the trunks of trees or high up in their branches. All of the plants growing on our “pseudo‐tree” (rhododendrons, ferns, agapetes, orchids, etc.) are those that are naturally found in such habitats in the wild.

On your left are three specimens of a rhododendron with what some would argue are the most amazing flowers of any of the almost 1000 species known to occur in the wild. This is R. dalhousiae var. rhabdotum (#8), a species that flowers in early July and which is native to low elevation forests in the eastern Himalaya Mountains. The highly unusual flowers are shaped like a trumpet lily and almost five inches long. Their most striking feature is the deep red stripe that runs down each lobe of the pure white blossoms providing a very unique and beautiful display at a time of year when few other species are in flower.
Ahead on your right near the back door is a young specimen of what could eventually form a 100-foot-high tree if we had a tall enough Conservatory! This is R. protistum (#9) one of the largest and tallest of all Rhododendron species. The leaves of this giant tree can be almost two feet in length, and its deep rose flowers are equally magnificent when they appear in late winter. This endangered species is native to the remote and rugged mountains along the China-Burma frontier.

Just ahead on your left is a small area displaying plants from one of the rarest habitats on the planet, the cloud forests of northern Vietnam (#10). Several of the plants in this area are epiphytic blueberries which are often found growing in the tops of trees alongside the rhododendrons that are also on display. The large plant near the stream is Schefflera macrophylla (#11), a small tree from Vietnam with absolutely massive leaves. The undersides of the leaves and the stems are coated with a dense red‐brown layer of hairs, adding to the ornamental appeal of this stunning foliage plant. This youngster is only a few years old and is just getting started. One of the most unusual rhododendrons from this remote and scarcely explored region is the remarkable R. rushforthii (#12). This recently discovered species has small, deep yellow flowers that are highlighted by the striking metallic‐blue coloration of the foliage, quite different from any other rhododendron.

Cross the bridge and note the Tasmanian Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica) (#13) on your right. This species is perhaps the hardiest of all tree ferns but is still susceptible to damage from the occasional freezing blasts of deep cold that penetrate our generally mild climate. The fibrous trunks of this species and most other tree ferns are excellent places to grow orchids, small vireya rhododendrons, and even other ferns!

Continue back toward the entrance and note the three specimens of R. nuttallii (#14). This majestic species from the China/Burma frontier has it all, great flowers, great foliage and beautiful shiny, peeling bark. The highly fragrant flowers (late spring) can be up to six inches long and are among the largest in the genus. They emerge deep creamy yellow before fading to white with a strong golden yellow flush in the throat, often with pink or purple highlights. In addition, the new foliage emerges bright fuchsia purple, offset with sparkling silvery scales.

The development and construction of the Rutherford Conservatory has been one of the single greatest accomplishments in the history of the Rhododendron Species Foundation. Not only are we finally fulfilling our Mission Statement as a Living Museum for the display and cultivation of all Rhododendron Species, but we now have an area with beautiful flowers every day of the year, an area that is protected and heated, full of color and life into which people can retreat during the long, cold, wet winters of the Pacific Northwest. We finally have an area for people to congregate, a lovely and welcoming garden setting for meetings and festive events, a place for people to relax, and a focal point for education. Thank you Mr. Fran Rutherford!

Thank you for visiting our Garden and collection. Your admission fees and purchases help to fund our efforts in conserving the rapidly disappearing flora of the tropical rainforests.