Rhododendron adenosum

Growing in the copse are progeny of Joseph Rock’s selection of Rhododendron adenosum, collection number 18228 from the mountains of Sichuan province, China.

Grow in open woodland where the plants will receive frost protection. Pink buds open white with internal mottling and prominent flower parts.

R. vernicosum, another collection made mid way through Rock’s prolific plant collecting career. Born in Austria, later taking American citizenship, during his eccentric life, Rock collected in the region of 40, 000 plants. This is a strong growing plant now covered in bloom, petals with a crinkle cut appearance, almost artificial with a warm pink glow.

R. arboreum ssp. cinnamomeum var. roseum is a plant spotted as garden worthy by Tony Schilling on a trip to Nepal 1n 1983. The retired Curator of Wakehurst Place collected seed from the parent plant at 3048metres in the Dorandi Valley.

The internal brown markings show through as a pattern on the blush outer. Especially prominent on ageing.

Rhododendron arboreum ssp cinnamomium var roseum

Rhododendron vernicosum