Rhododendrons 2014

[Robert]

Rhododendron lutescens x scabrifolium v. spiciferum F1.

I'm running two lines on this cross, the other plant is pink. The plants are coming along nice - maybe flower buds this fall. Other than that the usual recombination mess. Who knows maybe I'll get lucky and something good will show up.

[TC]

We went to Benmore yesterday for a member's talk on the National Trees Collections of Scotland.  I was somewhat surprised at the number of "champion" trees we have here especially in relation to the size of the country. Again, when you think of Douglas, Menzies et al,  I shouldn't be.

It was also a chance to see the first flowering of the Rhododendrons.  The weather was very misty with curtains of cloud down to the 100 metre mark giving the hillside a Himalayan appearance.  From a look round, the main flowering should be in about early April....late frosts excepted.

Some general impressions of what is in flower.

[TC]

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[TC]

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[Maggi Young]

A treat to see so much in flower from Benmore, Tom. Thanks.

 I know that size isn't everything - but the flowers on R. grande are more than a little fabulous, aren't they?

[Matt T]

Funnily enough I was just looking this morning at trying to plan a visit to Benmore. Unfortunately I'll probably miss the Rhodo display as I'll not get there until the summer, but sure there'll be lots more to see then.

I agree with Maggi re the R.grande. It's my favourite, not for size but sheer beauty, those gorgeous leaves, sculptural buds and delicate colour. If only I could grow it here

[David Nicholson]

Lovely display Tom, thanks for posting.

[TC]

Early June can still have some Rh. in flower, especially the cinnabarinums.  The Grande series have stunning flower trusses and leaves,  The really good specimen plants will be out in about 3 weeks.
The pictures as posted do not do the plants justice and are only record shots being constrained to the 640 x 480 format when reduced from 3600 x 2700.
This results is that the plants look "bitty" with the  flowers reduced to coloured blobs.

Anyway, Rh. cilpinense has survived minor frosts and flowered properly for the first time in 4 years.  Three hearty huzzahs !
Pictures attached.

[Robert]

Thanks for all the photos Tom. The close-up of cilpinense is very nice.

The R. pocophorum aff. was grown from seed, started in 1986. I think what is remarkable about this rhododendron is that it does so well in our climate. Most Rhododendrons from subsection Neriflora die or survive and suffer with the summer heat. This plant does extremely well, even at our home in the hot, hot, Sacramento Valley. It's foliage looks good all season too. 

[johnw]

Tom  - Thanks so much for your dedication over the years, always a great report from Benmore and the west.  That grande is stunning as are the others. Always fun taking rhodo pix considering their affinity for steep slippery terrain.

johnw

[ian mcenery]

A few from me

The first two  my own macabeanum in flower. The next shot shows the magnificent plant at Trewithen just coming in to flower last week. The colour and the amount of flower make the Trewithen form probably the best. Alas mine is only a seedling but I think from this plant

[Steve Garvie]

Nice Macabeanum!
Mine was reduced to the ground by the severe winter three years ago but has produced some (weak) new growth from the base. My garden is a little too windy for it to grow well.

Rhododendron lutescens


Rhododendron rex ssp. fictolacteum

[ian mcenery]

Nice Macabeanum!
Mine was reduced to the ground by the severe winter three years ago but has produced some (weak) new growth from the base. My garden is a little too windy for it to grow well.

[

Hi Steve mine was devastated also and lost all its leaves and was pruned back selectively but has managed to come back to this

Here is recurvoides spinuliferum also from Trewithen. I have a plant but it is not happy here

[johnw]

Ian I think you meant to say spinuliferum not recurvoides.  Your mac has a sensational blotch and that Trewithen form a faultlessly formed truss, what a superb species.  Maybe there's even hope for one here  with the RSF's form.   Steve might be interested as well, the RSF sells a high alpine form of macabeanum that is said to be much hardier than macabeanum itself.   Can't vouch for the shade of yellow.  Methinks -5F is overly optimistic, we'll see when the reports come in after this brutal winter which has no signs of loosening its grip.

The best I've seen is 'Earl of Stairs' or 'Lord Stairs' or is it Stair?

johnw

[ian mcenery]

Ian I think you meant to say spinuliferum not recurvoides.  Your mac has a sensational blotch and that Trewithen form a faultlessly formed truss, what a superb species.  Maybe there's even hope for one here  with the RSF's form. 
johnw

Thank you John something is playing tricks with what is left of my brain. Macabeanum doesn't appreciate too much cold some specimens were killed in the winter here 2 years ago when the temperature fluctuated between -10 /-20C for a month. A large specimen at Lea Gardens in Derbyshire about 20 ft high and across is sadly no more