Rhododendron "Parisienne"

[Lars S]

I have just been offered a plant of R "parisienne" by a friend. I think it´s from seed that he collected in Ireland. He grows it in a green-house though and as it seems  to be a cross between R burmanica and R valentinianum (?) I guess it can be problems with the hardiness outside here in Stockholm (USDA-zone 6 largely). Maybe John Weagle or someone with a similar climate can tell ?

Lars

[Lesley Cox]

If your plant is from seed it likely won't be true though would be interesting in any case. As to hardiness, I am in Zone 9 so it's hardy here but it flowers in NZ barely out of winter, say late July/August and while I've not noticed frosted flowers, they could well be damaged in Zone 6.

[Lars S]

Thank´s Lesley,
You´re right of course, it won´t be a true Parisienne coming from seed.

My friend tells me that his plants blooms in the green-house in February/March and that´s usually the coldest part of winter here. I´m pretty sure that  it won´t bloom that early outside though but we can get hard frosts well into May. Anyway, I´ll never know if I don´t try ...

[johnw]

I have just been offered a plant of R "parisienne" by a friend. I think it´s from seed that he collected in Ireland. He grows it in a green-house though and as it seems  to be a cross between R burmanica and R valentinianum (?) I guess it can be problems with the hardiness outside here in Stockholm (USDA-zone 6 largely). Maybe John Weagle or someone with a similar climate can tell ?

Lars

Lars - I have been surprised before but think a cross involving those two species is suitable for Zone 8 or better.  I think -7 to -10c might be its absolute limit.  A good cool house plant in your climate I'm sure.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

R. valentianum will survive out here..... just!

[Lars S]

OK, John and and Maggi. Since valentinianum and burmanica are listed as zone 9 plants in my books I guess the chances for "Parisienne" are slim.
Maybe I could put it in my garage during winter. Temperatures doesn´t go much below zero there but on the other hand there´s not much light 

[Lesley Cox]

Knock some holes in the roof and put in skylights?

[Lars S]

Don´t tempt me