1.) Rhododendron sutchuenense  +  R. sutchuenense var. geraldii & Corylopsis pauciflora • Japanese buttercup winter hazel

Rhododendron • シャクナゲ • 石楠花 • shakunage

EDIT 4/18/15: Only 1 Rhododendrons sutchuenense left in that area, the second was removed last winter (2014/15); total of 2 standing: one R.  sutchuenense and one R. sutchuenense var. geraldii

There are 3 Rhododendrons  sutchuenense currently blooming in the area F (east side of the garden, between 1st and second shortcut, from path to water). The two pinker ones are regular sutchuenense (one big showy one, about 14′,  close to the path and one smaller close to the water).  The third one, closer to the shortcut, with paler pink flower and the red throat blotch is Rhododendrons  sutchuenense var. geraldii (the straight R. sutchuenense does not have that blotch).   The Plant Booklet lists 4 Rhododendron sutchuenense in this area, but one must have bolted – nowhere to be seen…

SJG • 3/25/12 – 3 Rhododendrons sutchuenense in area F, seen from the 1st shortcut: one big by the E path, and two closer to the water. The paler one (closer to shortcut on the L is R. sutchuenense var. geraldii.

SJG • 3/25/12 – Rhododendron sutchuenense var. geraldii (with a red throat splotch)

SJG • 3/25/12 – Rhododendron sutchuenense (no red throat splotch)

– This is what American Rhododendron society has to say on Rhododendron sutchuenense.

– This is what Virginia Tech’s Journal American Rhododendron Society has to say about  R. sutchuenense var. geraldii

2.) Corylopsis pauciflora • Japanese buttercup winter hazel. Area ZZW, 3/25:

Corylopsis pauciflora is native of Japan & Taiwan. It gained the English name “buttercup” for the fragrant pastel or buttery-yellow blossoms that herald spring. But “Winter Hazel” (or as one word “Winterhazel”) is a bit of a misnomer, & would be better named Early Spring, since it does not have Witchhazel’s remarkable winter interests, which is not to say the fountaining shape of fragile-looking slender limbs is unappealing in winter.

The name “pauciflora” means “a paucity of flowers,” but that refers to how many cluster together, which is not many in one spot. The flowers are otherwise profuse, occuring along the whole length of the branches, so there is no paucity at all! In Japan it is called Hyugamizuki, vis, Starwood, because the buttery-yellow blooms are sprinkled among the naked branches like stars sprinkled in the night sky. http://www.paghat.com/winterhazel.html

SJG • 3/25/12 – Corylopsis pauciflora • Japanese buttercup winter hazel. Area ZZW

SJG • 3/25/12 – Corylopsis pauciflora flower • Japanese buttercup winter hazel. Area ZZW

3.) Rhododendron  right past the WPA bridge, on the left of it, blooming pink.

SJG • 3/25/12 – Rhododendron hybrid, Area Y, right past the WPA bridge

SJG • 3/25/12 – Rhododendron hybrid flower, Area Y, right past the WPA bridge