Rhododendron magnificum Kingdon-Ward

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Peter Norris, enabling the use of The Rhododendron Handbook 1998

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New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Rhododendron magnificum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhododendron/rhododendron-magnificum/). Accessed 2024-03-18.

Genus

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

Credits

New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Rhododendron magnificum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhododendron/rhododendron-magnificum/). Accessed 2024-03-18.

Tree, 13–18 m; bark rough. Leaves 20–32 × 10–14(–17) cm, broadly obovate, apex rounded, lower surface with a thin continuous, apparently two-layered indumentum, the upper arachnoid, buff, the lower compacted; petioles slightly flattened and winged. Flowers c.30, in a dense truss, c.8-lobed, rosy purple, with darker nectar pouches, funnel-campanulate, 45–60 mm; stamens 16; ovary densely rufous-tomentose. Flowering February-April. Royal Horticultural Society (1997).

Distribution  Myanmar NE China W Yunnan

Habitat 1,800–2,500 m

RHS Hardiness Rating H3

Awards AM 1950 (Lt Col D.R. Carrick-Buchanan, Corsewell, Stranraer) from Kingdon-Ward 9200; flowers Fuchsine Pink, with darker veins. FCC 1966 (National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle Gardens) to a clone 'Kildonan', from Kingdon-Ward 9200; flowers Fuchsine Pink.

Conservation status Vulnerable (VU)

This species is rare in cultivation; as it is relatively tender; it is only to be found in the mildest gardens in Britain. Royal Horticultural Society (1997).