Rhododendron pronum Tagg & Forrest

Sponsor

Kindly sponsored by
Peter Norris, enabling the use of The Rhododendron Handbook 1998

Credits

New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Rhododendron pronum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhododendron/rhododendron-pronum/). Accessed 2024-04-24.

Genus

Rhododendron
Subsect. Taliensia

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

indumentum: A covering of hairs or scales.

References

Royal Horticultural Society (1997). The Rhododendron Handbook 1998

Credits

New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Rhododendron pronum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhododendron/rhododendron-pronum/). Accessed 2024-04-24.

Rhododendron pronum is difficult to grow well, but very desirable for its highly attractive blue-green foliage and dwarf habit. Image Jack Aldridge.

Creeping shrub, 0.15–0.6 m; perulae persistent. Leaves (4–)6–7.5 × 1.8–2.8 cm, elliptic, apex acuminate, lower surface with a dense greyish to fawn two-layered indumentum, the upper layer loosely lanate-tomentose, composed of ramiform hairs, the lower compacted; petioles glabrescent. Flowers 6–10, in a tight truss; calyx 1–2 mm; corolla white or cream to pink, with purple flecks, funnel-campanulate, nectar pouches lacking, 35–45 mm; ovary and style glabrous. Flowering May. Royal Horticultural Society (1997).

Distribution China W Yunnan

Habitat 3,650–4,400 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H6

Conservation status Vulnerable (VU)

This is a rare species in the wild that rarely flowers in cultivation. Its dwarf habit and a greyish leaf indumentum make this a distinctive species that has no close allies. Royal Horticultural Society (1997)

Rhododendron pronum growing superbly at Sarum, Surrey, UK. 10 May 2023. Image Jack Aldridge.

Contact the editors at