Description
Rhododendron yuefengense affinity YuGu#084 Our first offering of this newly introduced species. As with the newly introduced cardiobasis (described above), I think this will prove to be one of the most important introductions in the last twenty years. This species forms a large and rounded, but very upright-growing, shrub with large and deep green, very rounded leaves – a stunning plant in foliage. In early summer, it bears upright inflorescences of bell-shaped pink flowers, exactly like those of yuefengense and at the same time of year. I have spent many years and a great deal of time in the wild trying to sort out this very confusing complex of round-leaved ss. Fortunea in South China. Still a bit mystified by this one, thus the affinity name for now. When we found this in the wild, I thought it was cardiobasis as it is very similar in foliage to that species and did not look anything like yuefengense (which would have been the most likely other option). We have since flowered the resulting seedlings which flowered quite young (3-4 yrs old from seed! – just like yuefengense) and the flowers were identical to yuefengense which is very different from cardiobasis in flower. Basically, this taxon comes from the same elevation and habitat in S China as yuefengense but on a different mountain and with a completely different look/growth habit (very stiff and upright and not wide-growing like yuefengense), and with much more vigor. Sorry to get so detailed and deep into the weeds on this one but I love this stuff! Beautiful and shiny new growth and a vigorous habit. Best in light shade and has been perfectly hardy outside here so far. You will love this. (0?R15) RSBG
Additional Information:
Featured Icons: Easy, Steve Pick
Catalog Section: MEDIUM-GROWING SHRUBBY SPECIES
RSBG : RSBG
Cultural Ratings : (10R14)