Species In Our Midst
Rhododendron schlippenbachii

Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Picture by S & J Perkins

Subgenus Pentanthera, Section Sciadorhodion

This deciduous azalea is a densely branched shrub with leaves arranged in distinctive whorls of 5 at the end of the branchlets. The leaves can be prone to sun-burning if grown in an excessively sunny location which lacks protection from afternoon sun. Autumn foliage color may be yellow, orange or crimson. The plant is hardy to -25°F(-32°C), growing to 4' in 10 years. It prefers a less acid soil than most rhododendrons.

There are 3 to 6 large, funnel-shaped flowers per inflorescence. Flower color range from pale pink to rose-pink or white, spotted red-brown on the 3 upper lobes. Flowers can be almost 3.5 inches across. The slightly fragrant flowers open immediately before the leaves, with both flowers and leafy shoots emerging from the same terminal bud.

This species was introduced to the west when it was discovered in Korea in 1854 by a Russian naval officer, Baron von Schlippenbach, for whom it is named. Its natural range extends from Korea into bordering parts of Manchuria and Russia. It is one of the commonest shrubs in Korea, constituting the dominant undergrowth plant in some forests. During June, these areas are transformed into vast drifts of pink.

According to Cox, "R. schlippenbachii is one of the finest azalea species, with attractive foliage, good autumn color and large handsome flowers."