Among the wide array of superlative rhododendrons in the Cecil and Molly Smith Garden, my first selection among the many subsections would almost certainly be Subsection Fortunea. This stems form a number of stalwart attributes. The rhododendrons in this subsection are robust, enduring a wide range of temperatures and other testing circumstances. Their handsome leaves surmount what can only be described as a sturdy and handsome scaffold of moderate to substantial proportion. Their flowers are, for the most part, of moderate size, white or sometimes pink. The white specimens often have a subdued touch of yellow in their throats. Almost all flowers are mildly to intensely fragrant; both species and hybrids possess this trait. The span of flowering ranges from early spring to early summer and masses of bloom are a general occurrence.
The name Fortunei commemorates Robert Fortune the mid 19th century plant hunter/explorer to whom we are all indebted.
The species in this subsection to be found in the Smith Garden, while not overly abundant, are all noteworthy.
I begin with the earliest blooming species, R. oreodoxa var. fargesii and it’s selected cultivar ‘Barto Rose.’ These selections can often bloom in mid-March and bloom so profusely that deadheading is mandatory to preserve their vigor.
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R.fargesii var. ‘Barto Rose’ has I feel the more handsome leaves and flowers.
Rhododendron vernicosum is still another beautiful, early flowering species gracing the premises. Yet another early blooming species is R. calophytum. It can have either white or pink blooms and has a distinct dark blotch at the flower’s center. Early on Cecil recognized the parental potential of salutary crosses with
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R.degronianum ssp. yakushimanum—all very handsome, mid-sized plants with the
white flowers and distinctive blotch.
About midseason, R. decorum comes into bloom with its typical fortunei flower (white, with a yellow tinged center.) Among those in the Smith Garden is R. decorum ssp. diaprepes ‘Gargantua,’ FFC, a Ben Nelson form with particularly large white flowers and leaves to match. It’s presentation is quite striking. Further down the garden are two R. decorum ssp. decorum which I consider the icons of the garden. They are perhaps 25 feet tall, have massive trunks and sport moss and ferns in their various crotches and folds. Standing below them transports one to being in their native haunts. Their flowers are white and bloom late.
Another altogether eye-catching species coming into flower at this time is
R. orbiculare with singularly rounded leaves and pink rounded flowers to match.
Two forms remain in the garden—the Jock Brydon form and the Glenarne form (from Scotland, near Glasgow and the Clyde River.)
R. orbiculare ssp. orbiculare photo by Pat Breen, ARS website
Among the outstanding fortunei hybrids in the garden are ‘Loderi King George’ and ‘Loderi Pink Diamond.’ Crosses of superior forms of R. griffithianum (also in subsection Fortunea) and R. fortunei under the watchful eye of Sir Edmund Loder of Leonard’s Lee Garden, they never fail to attract attention and comment.
‘Loderi King George’
photo by Kenneth Cox
ARS website
Another notable hybrid is R. sutchenense var. geraldii (actually a cross of
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R.fortunei with R. praevernum.) The flower is white with a dark blotch and the
leaves are large and captivating.
As the rhododendron season ends the bulk of its flowering, a delightful species brings up the rear guard in late spring to early summer. This is R. discolor. It blooms profusely and deadheading would be a definite recommendation.
Rhododendron fortunei ssp. discolor photo by Henk Borsje ARS website
A rhododendron display of aesthetic distinction (with fragrance to boot)
that stretches from early March to late June or early july, once again, garners my enthusiastic embrace.
Peter Kendall
