Species In Our Midst

Rhododendron calendulaceum
Picture by S & J Perkins

Species Study Group's Species In Our Midst is a series of member written notes on rhododendron species possibly growable in New England (including species native to New England). A comprehensive list of species reported to be hardy to -10°F with potential nursery sources is used as a group reference.

The purpose of the notes is four-fold:

• to inform chapter members about rhododendron species that can be grown outdoors in some part of our membership area (USDA Zones 4 to 7)
• to obtain chapter members' experiences growing  rhododendron species  (good or bad)
• to compile member responses into a booklet of our collective experience growing species in New England
• to make the results available at the 2000 Annual Rhododendron Convention.

The series, originally published in the Chapter newsletter, addresses each of the four major categories of rhododendrons

• large leaf (elepidotes)
  • Rhododendron adenopodum
  • Rhododendron anhweiense
  • Rhododendron brachycarpum
  • Rhododendron bureavii
  • Rhododendron fortunei
  • Rhododendron hyperythrum
  • Rhododendron makinoi
  • Rhododendron oreodoxa
  • Rhododendron recurvoides
  • Rhododendron smirnowii
  • Rhododendron sutchuenense
• small leaf (lepidotes)
  • Rhododendron fastigiatum
  • Rhododendron ferrugineum
  • Rhododendron keiskei
  • Rhododendron hippophaeoides
  • Rhododendron micranthum
  • Rhododendron russatum
• deciduous azaleas
  • Rhododendron albrechtii
  • Rhododendron atlanticum
  • Rhododendron cumberlandense, formerly R. bakeri
  • Rhododendron prinophyllum, formerly R. roseum
  • Rhododendron prunifolium
  • Rhododendron quinquefolium
  • Rhododendron schlippenbachii
• evergreen azaleas
  • Rhododendron kiusianum
  • Rhododendron nudipes

Your comments concerning your experience growing in New England any of the species discussed in this series are greatly appreciated. Using the form below as your guide, email your responses to Species Survey Chairperson.

Feedback Questions for All Massachusetts Chapter Members

If you have grown this species outdoors: Species Name________________

1. Do you still have it? __Yes __No

2. How long have you had it? __years __1-5 __6 or more

3. Has it flowered for you? __Yes __No

4. Is it a reliable performer for you? __Yes __No

5. Comments on cultivars of species you grow?

Member Name______________________Address____________________