Rhododendron fulvum
A beautiful evergreen rhododendron with apple blossom-coloured flowers. It stands out because of the colour of the undersides of its leaves, which are burnt-orange; as you walk underneath it you see the gentle colour of the flowers against the warm tone of the underside of the leaves, a contrast with the top of the evergreen leaves. The structure is graceful and its branches create a great curvy framework. This specimen is on the main central path through the woodland not too far from Nessie, opposite some great Rhododendron decorum specimens.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Cinnamon-coloured rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height & spread
- 5m (15ft) x 3m (10ft)
- Form
- Evergreen shrub
- Soil
- Humus rich, acid soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5)
- Aspect
- Prefers light shade and shelter
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Rhododendron
The genus Rhododendron comprises around 1000 species of trees and shrubs. Its range is scattered in northern temperate regions and extends into the southern hemisphere in south east Asia and into Australia. However there are two distinct areas of concentration, South West China (Yunnan, Sichuan, Xizang) with adjacent Burma and India, and Papua New Guinea.
Rhododendron is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom, the majority are evergreen shrubs, many with ornamental foliage and attractive bark, and nearly all with showy attractive flowers. Nearly the whole spectrum of colours is represented in the flowers, and only the true blues are missing. Several are sweetly scented, the majority of these are white-flowered.
The hardiness of rhododendrons is also very variable, from fully hardy to frost-tender, but unfortunately the flowers are susceptible to frost damage, especially when fully expanded.
Rhododendron fulvum
This is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree that originates from the eastern Himalayas and China. The leaves are dark, glossy green on top with a red-brown to fawn indumentum (hairy underside) which gives rise to the common name of cinnamon-coloured rhododendron. In the spring it bears compact trusses of up to 20 tubular, bell-shaped flowers up to 4cm (11/2in) wide that are pale to deep rose-pink.
Cultivation
- Nearly all rhododendrons demand a humus-rich acid soil, ideally a pH of 4.5 to 5.5.
- Shallow planting is essential as rhododendrons are surface-rooting.
- Most of the large-leaved species and hybrids require a location in dappled shade where there is year-round moisture as they should never dry out during the spring and summer.
- Rhododendrons do not require regular pruning and most are best left to grow naturally. You can rejuvenate old plants with severe pruning.
- Encourage better growth and promote flowering by removing spent flowers. This is important in newly planted rhododendrons to help them establish.
- Rhododendrons are susceptible to many and varied pests and diseases including vine weevil, leafhoppers, scale insects, bud blast, honey fungus, and lime-induced chlorosis if the soil is not sufficiently acid.
Propagation
- Propagate named rhododendrons by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, by layering in autumn or grafting in late winter or summer.
Find out more about rhododendrons by at the RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group website.
AGM
The RHS Rhododendron and Camellia Committee awarded Rhododendron fulvum an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
'Large shrub or small tree with dark green leaves with cinnamon indumentum beneath. Pale or deep rose-pink, bell-shaped flowers 4cm wide, in compact trusses.'