Rhododendrons 2014

[johnw]

As far as hybrids go one really can't beat 'Mist Maiden' for good behaviour, hardiness and reliable flowering.  Here it grows in the section of the city known as Boulderwood and this is an off year which I much prefer to being engulfed in flowers.  This old plant was received from David Leach just about the time he selected the plant, circa 1963.  It is 7ft high and 12+ft across and with this cool weather the flowers are lasting forever.  When we tour this area people asked me "My plant isn't going to get that big is it?".  To which I reply "not if it dies first, if it lives figure twice as big in as long."  You see in the late 70's or early 80's the septic truck backed over it and took out half the plant, which was stuck back in the ground and lived for a year or so!

johnw - +13c, fog, damp, showers, grey miserble but the rhodos look great.

[Robert]

The garden is not devoid of rhododendron flowers. A R. glanduliferum aff. from the RSF. It must be 2 meters tall now. It takes the heat and is still managing a few flowers with 30 - 40 % less water this season.

I can't say the same for this R. viscosum that wants to bloom - just not enough water this year.

There is still some nice new growth. R. makinoi.

And then there are those that struggle and burn from the lack of water. The older growth burned when it was 40c last week.   

R. macabeanum is hanging in there. It seems a bit tougher and might even make it without much leaf burn.  I'll see how it is by October

[johnw]

Three from today:

Rhododendron 'Milky Way'
Lilium lophophorum ACE#1767 from Ardfearn - too bright
Rhododendron camtschaticum white form from Glendoick
Rhododendron tsariense

The white camtschaticum required 4 attempts, this the 4th and last, it seems as vigorous as the type.

johnw - 15c and sunny

[Maggi Young]

Well, you know I love the Rhodos - but what a  fab HUGE pot of Lilium lophophorum - very nice!

[Steve Garvie]

Well, you know I love the Rhodos - but what a  fab HUGE pot of Lilium lophophorum - very nice!

Absolutely!!!
A superb pot of lophophorum John!

[johnw]

A couple of shots of the lophophorums from a week ago.  With this cool weather these fellows keep hanging on.  Glad you enjoyed them, even the green unopened buds are a treat.

johnw

[ian mcenery]

Probably the last to flower and at 5/6 metres high the largest Rhodo in the garden. R Polar Bear which has a tree like habit and a great scent just doesn't like too much sun so it is OK at present

Sorry very duifficult to show the overall plant as it is surrounded by other plants

[Maggi Young]

A statuesque plant, Ian - and aren't the individual blooms lovely? 

[ian mcenery]

A statuesque plant, Ian - and aren't the individual blooms lovely? 

Yes it's a nice surprise at this time of year but it often gets scorched . It seems a bit earlier than usual

[johnw]

It is difficult to stay upright these days with the photos that arrive from Jens Birck in Copehagen.

Here is selection of R. pseudochrysanthum which he aptly calls 'White Rim'. 

johnw
24c & sunny

[johnw]

No need to get up after that, here is Jens' photo of the relatively new R. huanum at the RSBG.  Due to an error it was known as huianum after Hu but has recently been corrected to huananum. 

johnw

[johnw]

Good to see 'Polar Bear' Ian. I had no idea the foliage was so fine.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Merciful heavens- you're right John, hard to  comprehend the quite  amazing plants JB grows - just as well we are sitting down when we see the pictures.  'White Rim' is just breath-taking.
The colour of  R. huanum is really different - and that angle of the photo is super - I'm thinking dancing girls!

[johnw]

Youy right about the angle Maggi, especially delectable are those turquoise bits at the base of the calyx. Who would have guessed?

johnw

[Maggi Young]

From Logan Botanic Garden : http://www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/logan

"Rhododendron kawakamii from Taiwan in full flower at Logan. Member of Pseudovireya series it is rarely seen in UK. "