The elepidote Rhododendrons are most people's idea of the ‘typical' Rhododendron with relatively large leaves and large full trusses of flowers. The advantage of growing elepidote species is that they tend to have more interesting foliage than the hybrids: those with particularly good foliage are marked. It is important to realise that some species take many years before they start flowering, so you may need to be patient. Most of the species require shelter from winds and plentiful organic matter mixed into the soil for best results, though some species such as those in subsection Fortunea are pretty tough and easy. The spectacular large-leaved species are found mostly in subsections Falconera and Grandia. Most larger growing species are grown from wild or hand-pollinated seed. Those easily rooted are propagated from cuttings. A few are grafted as this is the only way to produce them. We use rootstocks such as ‘Cunningham's White' and R. decorum which seldom sucker and we never use R. ponticum.  

Larger Growing but smalled leaved lepidote rhododendrons are covered here:  Triflora 

Arborea

Hardiness We use divisions of hardiness which are adapted and improved from the R.H.S. hardiness bands. In the UK, it is rarely extreme cold that causes damage so don’t pay too much attention to minimum temperature ratings. Damage from late or early season frosts when plants are soft or not hardened off is much more common and can be very damaging or fatal. In continental Europe the minimum temperature ratings are more relevant. H6 Hardiest, -240C (-100F) and below suitable for inland areas in N. Europe: H5 Very hardy: -180C (00F) and below, coldest UK inland areas, amongst hills, much of N Europe. H4 Hardy: Suitable for most of UK areas, including fairly well inland, coastal Europe. H3 Fairly hardy: Low elevations and sheltered gardens, fairly near east coast. Limit of hardiness at Glendoick. Such plants are damaged in our severest winters or by late or early frosts. H2 Rather tender. Low elevations fairly near west coast and on east coast. Not reliably hardy outdoors at Glendoick, though recent winters suggest that you may get away with them. H1 Tender (mild frosts only). Mildest U.K. west-coast islands and western coastline.

 click to order

Long-lived trees or large shrubs, magnificent in full flower. Can reach 10m or more in time. H3-4, flowers in fine rounded trusses, usually red, pink or deep lilac, March to May. A must for woodland gardens.

ARBOREUM var. ROSEUM H3-4 Tall M Pink Leaves with bronzy-grey undersides. One of the toughest forms. Very fine and large growing.

ARBOREUM ssp. CINNAMOMEUM H4 Very Tall EM Deep carmine-red in conical trusses. Striking dark rusty-brown indumentum. One of the hardiest R. arboreum forms.

ARBOREUM ssp. DELAVAYI C&H 7178. H3-4 Tall M Blood red. Dark foliage. Higher elevation introductions from Wumeng Shan, hopefully hardier than previous introductions.

NIVEUM H4 Med EM-M Smoky-purple fls. Most distinctive. Dark foliage with white to fawn indumentum on leaf underside.

Argyrophylla click to order

2m+ (10-15 years), ultimate height to 6m. H4-5, Flowers white to pink or purple in April-July. Leaves with white to fawn indumentum. Most are tough plants of good habit, fairly easy to grow with fine foliage and showy flowers.

ARGYROPHYLLUM PINGIANUM Gp H5 Med-Tall M Fine trusses of sugar pink. Matte leaves with silvery indumentum below. Very tough. Rare.

ARGYROPHYLLUM SSP. HYPOGLAUCUM JN NEW H5-6 Tall M White in rounded trusses. Shiny leaves with silvery indumentum below. Very rare, this is probably only the 2nd ever introduction. Very hardy.

COELONEURON CW H5 Med EM-M Flowers pink to purplish, spotted in April-May. Handsome leaves with pale rufous indumentum below. Previously incorrectly placed in SSR.  Taliensia.

DENUDATUM H4 Tall EM-M Rose, with a deep nectar pouches and spotting. Attractive shiny rough leaves with grey-brown indumentum. A handsome recent introduction, now flowering well.

INSIGNE H5 Med L Pink flowers spotted and lined deeper, late. Rigid leathery leaves, like painted metal below. Compact habit. One of the finest off all species.

Barbata & Fulgensia   click to order

H3-4. 2-5m. Large shrubs to small trees with beautiful peeling bark, H3-4, leaves usually bristly, often very showy when young. Glowing flowers scarlet to crimson in compact trusses in February-April.

ARGIPEPLUM (SMITHII) H3-4 Med E A fine early long-lasting scarlet in February-April, Closely related to the better known R. barbatum but with leaf indumentum.

BARBATUM H4 Tall E One of the finest early flowering reds. Rounded scarlet trusses. Beautiful reddish-plum smooth bark. Leaves and stems with bristles.

EXASPERATUM CW H3-4 Med Flowers bright red, early. Bristly stems and large handsome leaves, a striking beetroot colour when young. The first new introductions for 70 years. Rare.

FULGENS CW H4 Med E Rounded trusses of scarlet, early. Good habit and handsome rounded leaves with fawn indumentum. Fine peeling bark. New introduction from Arunachal Pradesh.

Campylocarpa & Selensia click to order

2-4m in 10-20 years. H3-5. Leaves with no indumentum, flowers in loose trusses, usually yellow or pink, occasionally white April-June. Usually very free-flowering, and amongst the finest of species. Require good drainage: mound plant in heavy soil or wet conditions.

CALLIMORPHUM H3-4 Med ML Pink bells with deeper blotched. Neat small rounded leaves. Compact habit.

CAMPYLOCARPUM H4 Med EM-M Fine yelllow flowers in April-May. Compact, hardy. Collected on the Arunachal-Bhutan border.

CAMPYLOCARPUM var. CALOXANTHUM CW H4 Low EM-M Flowers pale yellow. Foliage often bluish. Smaller in all parts than var campylocarpum.

SOULIEI DEEP PINK H5 Med M Beautiful saucer-shaped fls in May. Leaves almost round, glaucous green when young. Best in low rainfall areas, requiring extra good drainage. Needs shelter owing to early growth. Few 07-8

WARDII Ludlow and Sherriff H5 Med L Yellow with a red blotch. From S. Tibet. Late flowering and probably the hardiest form. Fine blue young growth.

Falconera, Grandia, Fulva ‘The large-leaved species'   click to order

2-4m (10m ultimate ht). H2-5. Forming large bushes or small trees with huge handsome leaves with woolly to smooth indumentum. Flowers in big trusses, white, pink, purple, deep cherry red, yellow, often blotched and spotted, February-May. These magnificent foliage plants are a must for every moderate garden, as long as you can provide some wind shelter.

ARIZELUM  H3-4 Tall EM $ Large cream to pink trusses in March-May. Handsome foliage with woolly cinnamon indumentum. Pink to reddish bark. VAR RUBICOSUM  deeper pink.
BALANGENSE JN H4-5 Tall EM White to cream flowers with spots or blotch in March-May. Fine recent introduction with handsome foliage with pale indumentum.
BASILICUM H3-4 Tall EM $ Cream in huge trusses. Handsome foliage. The true species, rarely offered.
FALCONERI H3 Tall M  A magnificent species with large rugose leaves with rust-coloured indumentum below. Needs shelter. Large full trusses of long-lasting cream-coloured flowers in late April-May.
FALCONERI ssp. EXIMIUM KCSH H3 Med EM-M $$ Flowers open pink and fade to cream. Finest of all large-leave species for foliage, usually with persistent indumentum above, cinnamon below.
FULVUM H4 Tall E $ Lilac-pink with a deep blotch, in rounded trusses. Dark shiny leaves with a fine rusty indumentum below. Often makes a small tree. 2012-13
GALACTINUM H5 Med M White flushed pink to pale rose flowers in April-May. Hardiest large leaf. 2012-13.
GRANDE H2-3, Tall. E-EM Cream. Needs shelter.
HEATHERIAE (aff) KC 0124 H3-4 Tall EM Large cream to pink trusses. Handsome foliage with woolly cinnamon indumentum. Pink to reddish bark. Closely related to and best considered a variety of R. arizelum.
HODGSONII H4 Tall EM-M $ Reddish-purple flowers in April-May. Large metallic-green leaves and splendid cream to cinnamon peeling bark. One of the hardiest big-leaved species.  HODGSONII AFF. As above but with thick dark chocolate-brown indumentum on the leaf underside.
KESANGIAE H4 3m. EM-M $ Flowers pink or purple-pink, in April-May. A recently named species from Bhutan, only just starting to flower in cultivation. Needs shelter from wind. Handsome.  VAR. ALBUM KCSH H4 Tall EM-M Flowers white or pale pink in April-May. The rare white form of this species, collected for first time in Arunachal Pradesh.
MACABEANUM H3 Tall EM $ Enormous trusses of yellow fls with a purple blotch in March-April. Huge deep green shiny leaves, white underneath. A must if you can grow it. Best RBGE good form (grafts), NAPE O52 H3 Low-Med EM Yellow flowers with a purple blotch in March-April. Mt Saramati, Nagaland. Highest altitude ever collected, smaller, narrower leaves and compact habit.
MONTROSEANUM H3 Tall E Large trusses of lovely pink flowers in February-March. The finest pink 'big leaf'. Magnificent large, dark, handsome leaves. Needs shelter.
PRAESTANS H4 Tall EM-M Pale pink-cream flowers with dark blotch. Leaves with layer of plastered indumentum. Winged petiole. One of the hardiest large-leaved species.
PREPTUM H4 Med EM-M Fls white, blotched. Rarely offered. Grafts.
PUDOROSUM CER 9931 H4-5 Low-Med E Pink to rose, early. Fine dark foliage with unusual persistent bud-scales. Slow growing. Rare. Grafts from 2011-12.
REX H4 Tall EM-M $ Large trusses of pale pink with crimson markings. Magnificent in flower and foliage. Large dark green leaves with fawn indumentum below. One of the best large-leaved species for cold areas.
REX ssp. FICTOLACTEUM H4-5 Tall EM-M Full trusses of white with a crimson blotch. One of the hardiest big-leaved species. Fairly large, dark, shiny leaves with rusty-brown indumentum below.
ROTHSCHILDII H4 Tall EM-M White, cream or pale pink. Large handsome leaves with a granular indumentum. Rare. One of the hardiest big-leaves.
SIDEREUM AFF H2-3 Tall L Fls cream or yellow From upper Subansiri, Aruanchal Pradesh,  intermediate with R. grande.
SINOFALCONERI S. Yunnan H3-4 Tall M $ Magnificent yellow to cream fls in rounded trusses. Newly-introduced species with fine foliage. Remarkably tough and perfectly hardy at Glendoick.
SINOGRANDE H3 Tall EM $ Creamy-white, in huge trusses. Magnificent, with the largest leaves in the genus, up to almost 1m in length. Best in mild, sheltered gardens but we can grow it well at Glendoick.
TITAPURIENSE APA H2-3? Tall EM-M $ Flowers unknown. Discovered by Kenneth Cox, this is a new species up to 20m tall with outstanding handsome leaves with deep indumentum. Grows early so needs shelter.

Fortunea & Auriculata  click to order

   Those marked * are scented

2-3m, ultimately to 6m, medium to large shrubs or small trees, H(2)-4-5

Flowers white or pink, sometimes blotched, often scented in February-August. Leaves with no indumentum. Some of the finest and most versatile species easy to grow, every garden should have a selection. The hardiest scented species.

ASTEROCHNOUM CH 7051 H5 Tall EM Flowers pale pink with a blotch. A fine, newly introduced species. Like R. calophytum but with a thin whitish indumentum. 2011-12
AURICULATUM H5 Tall VL * Superb large white scented fls, late. One of the latest of all to bloom and hardy in cold gardens if sheltered. Handsome large leaves. Can grow very large.
CALOPHYTUM H5 Tall E Magnificent, white to pale pink, with a dark blotch, February-April. Large leaves need wind shelter.
DAVIDII  H4-5 Med EM Pretty lavender-purple. A tidy, slow-growing species which flowers young. The true species at last.
DECORUM H4 Tall M * A beautiful, vigorous, easy species, adaptable to dry sites and neutral soil. One of the best species for general cultivation. Pale pink-white fls. Forms: PALE PINK, WHITE, ssp. CORDATUM  H4 a newly introduced northern form with more rounded leaves, and spreading habit.
FORTUNEI H6 Tall ML * Scented pink/ lavender-pink. Fine foliage with purple leaf stalk. The hardiest scented species. Recommended.
GLANDULIFERUM H4 Tall VL * Large pale pink-white scented fls in June-July. Outstanding vigorous, recently-introduced species with large leaves. A must.
GRIFFITHIANUM H2-3 Tall M Magnificent white fls, in May, amongst the largest in the genus. Requires shelter. Fine peeling bark. Came through 2009 winter at Glendoick.
HEMSLEYANUM H4 Tall VL * Large, white, strongly-scented fls in July. For the large sheltered garden. Leaves with wavy edges.
HUANUM H4-5 Med EM Lavender-purple. A  distinctive recently-introduced species which should be perfectly hardy.
MAGNIFLORUM NEW H4-5 Medium L? Said to have huge flowers, to 10cm long, in truss of 12-14, glandular hairs. Should be a fine late flowering Fortunea and probably tough. 2012.
ORBICULARE H5 Med EM-M Rose-lavender bells. Beautiful rounded leaves making a striking foliage plant. Tough and easy to please. 2011-12. Var. CARDIOBASIS Oval leaves, flowers pink-white.
OREODOXA var. FARGESII H6 Tall E Masses of clear pink bells, buds are frost resistant, early. Neat foliage. Blooms young.
OREODOXA var. OREODOXA H5 Tall E Pale pink to white, usually earlier than var fargesii, with some frost resistance. Small oval leaves, upright habit.
QIAOJIAENSE H5 Tall E Probably close to  R. decorum var. cordatum. Flowers pink to white, with long rachis. 2012.

SEROTINUM AFF H4, Tall VL  Scented white flowers in June-July. A new introduction with distinctive handsome wavy foliage. Very vigorous: should grow very large.

SUTCHUENENSE H5 Tall E $ Large pink fls, spotted deeper. Large handsome foliage. One of the easiest larger-leaved species to grow.
VERNICOSUM H4 Med EM-M Pink, spotted darker, rounded truss. A consistently good species, always worth growing. Easy to grow and forms a nice rounded bush. Needs good drainage.

YUEFENGENSE New H4-5 Low L Pink-white bells, in June. Oval leaves, buds up very young, very free-flowering and sailed thought the hard winter of 2009-10. The best new species introduction of the last 10 years, outstanding. AURICULATUM H5 Tall VL * Superb large white scented fls, late. One of the latest of all to bloom and hardy in cold gardens if sheltered. Handsome large leaves. Can grow very large. (limited numbers)

Glischra click to order

2-5m, Small to large shrubs, H3-4, hairy or bristly, leaves sometimes with indumentum, flowers usually pink, less often white, March-May. Many have striking and interesting foliage and are long-lived. Also available in small quantities: R. glischrum ssp rude.

ADENOSUM R. 18228 H4 Med EM-M Rose-pink or white with darker spotting. Attractive hairy foliage on a rounded bush. Free flowering. Rare.

CRINIGERUM H3-4 Med EM-M $ Pink to white with pink flushing and or red spotting. Fine deep green leaves with buff indumentum on the lower surface. Showy, sticky young growth. Variable.

GLISCHROIDES H3-4 Tall E $ Loose trusses of pink with a maroon blotch. Distinctive handsome bullate foliage. Showy early new growth, best with shelter.

RECURVOIDES Keillour (grafts) H4 Semi-Dwf EM $ Densely hairy with handsome leaves with indumentum below. One of the finest smaller species for foliage. Fls pink.

Irrorata click to order

Medium to large shrubs 2-3m, ultimately to 6m, H2-4, no indumentum, flowers white, pink, red, March-May. While often a little tender, they are worth protecting under trees as the flowers are usually good and frequently heavily spotted.

ABERCONWAYI 'HIS LORDSHIP' H4 Tall M Saucer-shaped white fls, spotted crimson. Unusual stiff foliage on an upright plant. Free-flowering.

ANNAE H4 Low M Pure white in rounded trusses. Rare species with attractive small leaves. Easy.

IRRORATUM H3-4 Tall EM CW White to pink, spotted  Forms a vigorous handsome bush.  'POLKA DOT' Pale pink heavily spotted.

KENDRICKII H2-3 Tall EM-M Rich blood red in full trusses. Narrow leaves. Excellent for milder gradens. From new area of Arunachal Pradesh.

Lanata click to order

Slow-growing, ultimately to 3-4m. H4-5. Fine foliage. Flowers white pale pink or yellow. Also available in small quantities R. lanatum.

CIRCINATUM/LUCIFERUM CER 9935 H4-5 Low E $ Cream spotted red. Newly introduced from Tsari, Tibet, this is quite distinct with splendid yellowish-brown indumentum.

FLINCKII PINK OR YELLOW H4 Low EM-M $ Deep pink or pale yellow fls, orangy-brown indumentum on both leaf surfaces. Very handsome plant. First ever introductions from Arunachal Pradesh.

LANATOIDES H4 Med E $ White, early. A magnificent foliage plant with thick fawn indumentum on the upper surface and a light brown new growth. Mature leaves dark green. One of the rarest and most desirable species.

TSARIENSE H4 Low EM $ Pale pink. One of our favourites. Lovely foliage with smallish dark green leaves with rusty indumentum below and a veil of persistent indumentum above.

Maculifera  click to order

Small to mostly medium shrubs ultimately to 4m, H4-5, leaves with hairs or indumentum, flowers white, pink, red, often blotched, February-May. Several very fine species with first rate foliage and flowers. All are very hardy.

Some of the best:

LONGESQUAMATUM C&H 3920 grafts H5 Tall L $ Rose with a deeper blotch in May-June. An outstanding foliage plant with dark leaves and shaggy hairs on lower surface midrib and stems. Very tough.

MORII H4-5 Tall EM White to pale pink with deeper blotch or spotting. Pointed leaves. Free flowering when mature. From Taiwan.

OCHRACEUM CH 7052 H4-5 Low EM Fine red fls in rounded trusses. An important, distinct and exciting recent introduction. Leaves small, with indumentum. Habit compact.

PACHYSANTHUM HP (ex R.V. 72OO1) H5 Low EM $ White to pale pink, with yellow or red spots or blotch, in compact trusses. Probably the most outstanding foliage plant of all the slower growing species. Silver to brownish persistent indumentum on both upper and lower leaf surface.

STRIGILLOSUM H4 Tall E Fine waxy red flowers in February-April. Distinctive recurved leaves. One of the best early red species. KEIR FORM fine red.

Also R. anwheiense, R. oligocarpum, R. maculiferum, R. pachytrichum.

Neriiflora (with Venatora & Griersoniana)

Prostrate to small to medium-sized to large shrubs, H3-5, many with handsome foliage with indumentum on leaves. Flowers in loose trusses, mostly red but also orange, yellow, pink, white or bicolour in March-July. Many make wonderful garden plants with flowers in striking colours and combinations of colours. Most need good drainage and are best in cool climates.

BEANIANUM H3-4 Low EM-M Waxy crimson-scarlet. Dark hairy leaves with fine rufous indumentum below.

CHAMAE-THOMSONII C. 6099: ‘LOCH LAGGAN'  NEW H4 Semi-Dwf EM (forrestii x aganniphum) Fine large red fls fading to pink. A fine free-flowering form. Compact habit.

CHAMAE-THOMSONII var. CHAMAE-THOMSONII L&S red form: H4 Semi-Dwf EM Waxy red flowers in April. Larger than its close relative R. forrestii Repens forming a compact mound.

CITRINIFLORUM var. HORAEUM ORANGE F. 21850 H4 Semi-Dwf EM Orange, shot crimson, one of the few species of this colour. Compact habit and fine foliage. Needs good drainage. Always creates a stir.

DICHROANTHUM SBEC 0545 H4 Semi-Dwf ML Salmon-orange. A compact bush with white indumentum on the leaf underside. Useful for late flowering and unusual colour. Several varieties and subspecies. ssp. APODECTUM H4 Semi-Dwf L Orange-red. Compact, with smaller shinier leaves. ssp. SEPTENTRIONALE H4 Semi-Dwf L Salmon-orange. Small narrow leaves. Very rare.

FORRESTII REPENS R. 59174 ‘Seinghku' H4 Dwarf EM A free-flowering form, waxy, brightest scarlet. This variable species has a neat habit and small oval leaves. It likes cool roots. This is the best clone we have seen. Spreading habit. FORRESTII TUMESCENS gp. KEILLOUR H4 Dwarf EM Scarlet Larger leaves than Repens. Taller, dome-shaped habit, fairly vigorous. also available, see price list

GRIERSONIANUM (Griersoniana S.S.) H3 Low L Striking geranium-scarlet fls in June. Narrow leaves with light-coloured indumentum below. Not for coldest gardens.

HAEMATODES SBEC 0586 select H4 Semi-Dwf M $ Superb waxy scarlet-crimson fls. Leaves covered underneath with a thick woolly rufous indumentum. Compact. Needs good drainage.

HAEMATODES SSP. CHAETOMALLUM JN 762 H4 Semi-Dwf EM Scarlet, usually early. Leaves larger and rougher than the above, with some indumentum above. Rarely offered.

HAEMATODES SSP. CHAETOMALLUM VAR CHAMAEPHYTUM HECC 10066 H4 Low EM Red to pink. Oval leaves with no indumentum. First time ever introduced by Peter & Kenneth Cox from Arunachal.

MALLOTUM  H3-4 Med E $ Crimson, in a compact truss, early. Excellent dark rough foliage with striking woolly, cinnamon indumentum. Requires shelter.

MICROGYNUM F. 14242 H4 Low EM-M Waxy deep crimson-scarlet, freely produced. Compact habit and deep green leathery leaves. One of the easiest sanguineums to grow with good flowers and foliage.

MINIATUM CER 9927 H4-5 Low EM Waxy red. First time introduced, from Tsari, S. Tibet. It is not related to R. sherriffii as previously thought, and best placed in SS 3. Neriiflora. Small leaves with white indumentum on lower surface.

NERIIFLORUM SBEC H3-4 Med EM Red bells. Neat foliage, glaucous below. A fine pinkish bark. SSP. PHAEDROPUM H3 Med EM Red to orange-red. A form from the Bhutan-Arunachal-Tibet border area, formerly known as 'R. tawangense'

PARMULATUM 'OCELOT' H4 Semi-Dwf EM Pale yellow-cream, with a mass of purple spotting One of the easier species in this subsection to please. Neat dark rugose foliage.

PIERCEI KW 11040 H3-4 Semi-Dwf EM Fleshy crimson fls. One of the easiest and most vigorous of this subsection. Dark shiny foliage with indumentum on the lower surface.

SANGUINEUM SSP. DIDYMUM H4 Semi-Dwf L Dark red, in June-July, one of the few late flowering dwarf species. Needs good drainage and near neutral soil. Apply dolomitic lime if foliage is chlorotic or growth weak.

SANGUINEUM var HAEMALEUM H4 Semi-Dwf EM-M Dark red to black-red . Neat compact habit. Needs cool roots and good drainage. Irresistible!

TRILECTORUM HECC H4-5 Semi-Dwf EM Pale yellow, cream or pink. Very compact, looking similar to R. aperantum. Discovered by Ludlow & Sherriff and first introduced by ourselves from Arunachal Pradesh, this is a really exciting introduction. Later flowering that its relatives. (few)

VENATOR (Venatora S.S.) H3-4 Medium L Scarlet, pendulous fls, late. Easy and useful for its latish flowering. Only found in the Tsangpo Gorge.

VENATOR aff. KC 0104  NEW H3-4 Med M Flowers red, waxy in pendulous trusses, free flowering from a young age. Narrow leaves and curious pointed growth buds. David Chamberlain considers this a new species. Discovered by Kenneth Cox.

Parishia click to order 

Large shrubs, 3m, ultimately to 6m, H2-3, leaves with loose often quickly shedding indumentum. Fine flowers, usually scarlet, May-August. Late growth. Renowned for their magnificent late flowers: wonderful in mild & west coast gardens. Parents of numerous Exbury hybrids.

ELLIOTTII H3 Medium L-VL Scarlet, late. From very fine Pukeiti, New Zealand plants. Free-flowering from a young age. Needs shelter for late growth.

FACETUM H3 Medium L-VL Bright red, late. Wonderful in milder southern and western gardens and hardy in a sheltered position at Glendoick. Late growth.

Pontica  click to order

Prostrate to medium, occasionally large shrubs, mostly H5 so really tough and able to withstand open situation. Leaves with or without indumentum. Flowers white, pale yellow, to pink or purple. Most species are late flowering from late May to June and July.

AUREUM H5 Dwarf E Creamy yellow, early. A neat low-growing and very hardy species which does best in cold, northern climates.

BRACHYCARPUM ROSEUM Gp. DWARF H6 Semi-Dwf ML Pale pink, roundes trusses, late. The most dwarf and finest form of this species.

DEGRONIANUM H6 Low M Pink in rounded trusses. Handsome foliage with indumentum on the underside, (grafts)

HYPERYTHRUM H6 Low M Pure white. Unusual recurved leaves. From Taiwan. Very hardy and heat-tolerant. Few till 2009.

MAKINOI H6 Low L $ Pink, small truss. Very narrow leaves with woolly indumentum. Prefers near alkaline soil and may need lime to avoid chlorotic leaves.

MAXIMUM H6 Med VL White, pink-tinged, with a yellow blotch, rounded trusses, late. Extremely hardy and good in shade if not too dry. Leaves tend to yellow in sun.

UNGERNII H5 Tall VL Deep pink buds, white fls, late. Large, handsome leaves with woolly, white indumentum. Best in shade where it flowers well. One of the best late flowering species.

YAKUSHIMANUM  see under yak hybrids   yakushimanum and its hybrids

Taliensia & Campanulata

Dwarf to medium-sized, often compact. Most 1-2m in 10 years, ultimately 2-4m. A few very dwarf and slow: 30-50cm. Most very hardy, H4-5. The majority have fine foliage with silvery or white to rufous indumentum, very popular with collectors. The white to pink, occasionally yellow flowers can take some years to appear but many are worth growing for their foliage alone. All require good drainage and are long-lived in good conditions.

BATHYPHYLLUM C.6541 H5 Semi-dwarf EM-M White flushed pink in April-May. Natural hybrid of proteoides x aganniphum. Fine foliage and very attractive compact dense habit. Rare.

BHUTANENSE CH&M 3091 H5 Low EM-M Pink. Leaves with indumentum below. Recently named and introduced species. Not very easy on its own roots, but our grafted plants grow better. KCSH 0331 Deep pink to near red, in April-May, from Arunachal Pradesh.

BUREAVII H5 Med EM-M Pale pink-white, flushed deeper in April-May. A superb foliage plant, one of the finest in the genus. Rich rusty-red indumentum on leaf underside and shoots. A must for every garden. 'ARDRISHAIG' The A.M. form with larger flowers, spotted. Leaves have a twist in them. Other forms sometimes available.

CLEMENTINAE Glendoick blue-leaved sel. H5 Med EM Rose, in rounded trusses (rarely) Considered the finest form of this species for foliage, with oval convex leaves, glaucous-blue when young, with spongy buff indumentum.

CLEMENTINAE SSP. AUREODORSALE H5 Med EM-M Pink or white. First ever introduction. Looks closer to R. watsonii than R. clementinae. Should be treated as separate species. Slow and needs care.

NIGROGLANDULOSUM H. Smith H5 Med EM Pure white. Handsome long leaves with tawny indumentum. Very rare.

PRINCIPIS H5 Med EM Early pink in fine trusses, free-flowering, budding up quite young. Dark, pointed leaves with spongy, fawn indumentum. One of the easiest Taliensia species.

PRONUM H5 Dwarf EM Compact with blue-grey-green leaves. Takes years to flower.  R.B. Cooke form blue leaves, Towercourt greener leaf.

PROTEOIDES H5 Dwarf EM Pink (rarely) Another species much sought after by collectors for its tiny indumented leaves and neat, dense, compact habit. Perfect for the rock garden. Ascreavie form and Rock wider-leaved form.

ROXIEANUM var. OREONASTES H5 Semi-Dwf EM-M White flushed pink with red spotting. Dark narrow foliage like a porcupine. Plant away from drips from trees. Needs sharp drainage and not very heat tolerant. ROXIEANUM VAR PARVUM form with shorter leaves, intermediate with R. proteoides.

TALIENSE H5 Low EM-M Creamy-to pinkish-white spotted fls. Fine dark foliage with thicker than normal tawny-brown indumentum below. SBEC 0350 forms with very thick, spongy indumentum. (few)

WASONII yellow Pale yellow. Fine foliage with reddish-brown indumentum on a compact, tidy bush. var. WENCHUANENSE H5 Low EM-M Cream, flushed pink Leaves with dark indumentum. Compact habit.

WATSONII H5 Med EM-M White-pink. Leaves with yellow midrib. Very rarely offered. Tough but grows early.

WIGHTII H5 Med EM Creamy-yellow. Rare. This is the 'true' species. Slow growing and quite hard to please, best grafted.

WILTONII H5 Semi-Dwf EM-M Fine pink, with red spots and a crimson blotch. Handsome bullate leaves with thick cinnamon indumentum below. One of the best in this subsection, free-flowering, with excellent foliage and quite easy to please.

Campanulata   H4

Fls purple-mauve. Fine foliage.

CAMPANULATUM HP H4 Med EM-M Pale pink to mauve-purple. Handsome dark green leaves with brown indumentum on the underside. Needs good drainage.

CAMPANULATUM ssp. AERUGINOSUM sel. H5 Low EM-M Lilac-rose. Beautiful glaucous metallic-blue young growth, amongst the most striking in the genus.                                                                                          (see picture>)

WALLICHII H4 Med EM-M First introduction from Bhutan-Arunachal border, seen in flower, fine mauve-purple. Handsome dark leaves, thin indumentum.

Thomsonia click here to order   

Small trees, or bushes ultimate height 2-3 m. H3-4. Leaves with little or no indumentum. Flowers red or pink, yellow or cream. Many have very fine peeling or coloured bark. Some are susceptible to mildew.

CERASINUM Coals of Fire' H4 Tall ML Red, dark nectaries, late. A neat rounded bush with small dark leaves.

ECLECTEUM YELLOW H4 Tall E Vibrant yellow, early. Free-flowering. A fine low-growing selection, the best form of this species we have seen.

HOOKERI PINK HECC 10035 H3-4 Tall E Pink. New introduction from central Arunachal. Peeling bark. Fine foliage.

HOOKERI RED H3-4 Tall E Fine waxy red, early. Rarely offered. Fine peeling bark.

SHERRIFFII H4 Low E Pendulous deep red fls. A neat fastigiate grower with rounded, thickly indumented leaves. Slow-growing. Seldom offered.

THOMSONII H4 Tall EM-M Finest blood red, in good trusses. Rounded glaucous foliage and a lovely bark. April-May. Most forms are susceptible to powdery mildew. L& S selected form. We selected this as it is less susceptible to mildew than most. Compact with good red fls.

THOMSONII ssp. LOPSANGIANUM Aff. HECC 10054 H4 Low EM-M Red or deep pink. This seems identical to what we were calling ssp. lopsangianum Keillour with a little indumentum. Intermediate with R. sherriffii.

VISCIDIFOLIUM L&S 6557 H3-4 Low M Coppery-orange bells in May. Rounded leaves, white-sticky below. Rare.

Stamineum Section

H2-3 Med-Tall EM-L These little-known species are fine garden plants for warm and sheltered gardens. We sometimes have small quantities of other species: R. stamineum, R. honkongense, R. leptothrium, R. westlandii.

VIALLII H2-3 Low-Med EM Striking red fls. Newly introduced and proving hardier in western USA than expected. This is the 'real' R. viallii.