First discovered by Delavey in 1844 it was not until 1910 that seed was collected by George Forrest in Yunnan Province, China and plants of Rhododendron lacteum then appeared in British gardens.

A recent collecting trip to China (1990) resulted in seed being collected from plants growing as understory to Abies delaveyi forest. There are now several good specimens of R. lacteum growing in the lower woodland area at RBGE. Terminal trusses of yellow blooms with wide corollas. Each a delicate yellow with distinct red blotch to the inner base.

These young plants are of vigorous habit and will make impressive specimens of 5 – 8 metres in height. Covered in flowers and given a frost free spell these will be stunning in a decade.

The clump of Pulmonaria angustifolia in the copse that was grazed by a grey squirrel, (4/2/2013), has regenerated and is now a mass of flower. Well worth a look to appreciate the power of herbaceous regeneration.

Rhododendron lacteum

Rhododendron lacteum

Rhododendron lacteum