R. orbiculare ssp. orbiculare on left R. vernicosum on right

A walk through the Garden will prove rewarding with so many Rhododendrons in flower. In the copse R. orbiculare ssp. orbiculare and R. vernicosum are full of colour. Both native to SW China where seed was collected and gradually following sowing and germination we now appreciate the full beauty of these wide spreading evergreen shrubs.
An added bonus this year has been the relatively frost free climate. So often a frosty night followed by early bright sun will ruin these blooms.

Rhododendron orbiculare ssp. orbiculare

Rhododendron vernicosum