Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: JohnnyD on May 06, 2018, 11:00:23 AM

Title: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: JohnnyD on May 06, 2018, 11:00:23 AM

We have grown this Rhodo for many years and 'I think' I once knew its' name!
It is consistently no more than 2'6" high and similar spread and blooms with clear pink buds which open to flowers which fade to white.
I air layered this plant from one planted by my Dad at least 40/50 years ago.
Here's hoping someone may recognise it.
JohnnyD

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: johnw on May 06, 2018, 01:27:19 PM

Possibly one of the Waterer ironclads.

johnw

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: JohnnyD on May 07, 2018, 03:33:11 PM

Looks like you are correct John - Rhododendron catawbiense. Thanks.

What would we do without the SRGC forum????????

JohnnyD

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: Maggi Young on May 07, 2018, 05:31:23 PM

I'm not sure about it being a catawbiense, Johnny.  More like a 'Cunningham's White '  but unusual in that it stays so neat - most grow  pretty  well to a larger size.

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: JohnnyD on May 08, 2018, 10:19:37 AM

Hi Maggi.
You could well be right, but neither of the suggestions actually ring a bell. It is entirely possible I had it completely wrong in the first place (pre SRGC forum of course! :P.
The Rhodo has been in the same spot for AT LEAST 25 years and, now I have properly measured it, it is exactly three feet tall.
JohnnyD

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: johnw on May 08, 2018, 01:33:52 PM

Yes, Cunningham White has a very similar truss but after 25 years it would be an extremely large plant here & especially wide.  Problem is those trusses are very generic to make a determination.  Given the size of your 25 year old plant we can rule out any of the Waterer catawbiense hybrids as they'd be massive here.  Can we have a close-up of the as leaf?

john

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: JohnnyD on May 09, 2018, 05:02:06 PM

Leaves as requested John

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: johnw on May 09, 2018, 09:14:59 PM

Certainly from the leaves shown not an ironclad or a Catawbiense type.  It could be Cunningham White but that plant here in NS at 25yo would be 6ft across and 6ft high; in the past it was easy to identify as it was very prone to late autumn flowering.

john

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: Maggi Young on May 09, 2018, 09:40:09 PM

Not a Cunningham's  White leaf either  - the  veins are too prominent I  think :-\

Title: Re: Compact Rhodo without a name.
Post by: JohnnyD on May 09, 2018, 10:19:31 PM

It's a mystery ???
Thanks for trying John & Maggi,
JohnnyD