Species In Our Midst
Rhododendron sutchuenense

Rhododendron sutchuenense
Picture by S & J Perkins

Section: Hymenanthes, Subsection: Fortunea

This species is distinctive for its foliage, with leaves reaching up to 12 inches. (When grown from seed, this characteristic is evident with the very first pair of true leaves, which are much longer than wide.) This beautiful foliage hangs down to cover the stems. The large leaves are dark matte green on top and paler underneath. New growth, when it first appears, is grayish.

As the name implies, this plant is native to China. It was introduced to the west by E. H. Wilson in 1901.

According to Greer, Rhododendron sutchuenense is hardy to -10 F and grows to 5 feet in 10 years. It eventually reaches a very large size. Flowers are widely bell shaped, up to 3 inches long, held in trusses of 8 to 12 and appear early. Color can be pale lilac, rose pink or rose-lilac, sometimes white faintly tinged pink, sometimes spotted purple. Greer's Guidebook (1996 edition) shows a good photo of the flowers on page 56.

Dick Brooks has been growing this species in Concord for several years, without hardiness problems. He reports that it is a shy bloomer, blooming in 1998 after more than 10 years in the garden.