Rhododendron

Рододендрон

Rhododendron ledebourii Credit: Tatyana Shulkina

Shrub 0.5-2.0 m. Branches numerous. Leaves leathery, 0.8-2.8 cm x 0.5-1.3 cm. Petiole less than blade. Flowers numerous, solitary or 2-3 in axils of previous year’s leaves. Corolla pink-violet, 3.0-4.5 cm diam. Pollen violet. Closely related to R. dauricum L., differing in its evergreen leaves and bright pink-lilac flowers. Sometimes mentioned in the horticultural literature as R. dauricum var. sempervirens. Very attractive when flowering and in winter with evergreen leaves. Cold resistant. Z 4 (3). New.

Siberia (Altay, southern Sayans) and Mongolia. On rocky slopes, in clearings, along streams in forests and the subalpine zone.