Nestled into the flora in the sunken courtyard to the north of the centre glasshouse is a fine specimen of Rhododendron annae. A Forrest collection from SW China, found growing at 1200 – 3000 metres in broadleaved forest and on the margins of these areas. Looking down on the canopy from the terrace the mass of inflorescence is exceptional. The white petals prominent and showy covering the plant. As the flowerbuds expand the delicate pink colouring fades, even the darker pigmentation highlighting the veins disappears. The new growth shoots away rapidly showing a thin and vigorous habit of growth.

Rhododendron annae