Rhododendron cultivars and hybrids

Rhododendron cv.

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

▲ small flowering shrub at southeast corner of Plaster Student Union

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ flowering shrubs

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ foliage

 

'PJM' Rhododendrons ▼

▲ PJM shrub

▲ PJM flowers

Location on campus: in raised bed east of McDonald Arena; in little garden area on north side of Karls Hall; other locations by houses surrounding MSU

Rhododendron hyb.: Azaleas & Rhododendrons

·         Rhododendrons and Azaleas are represented by hundreds of cultivars and dozens of species, all of which are in the genus Rhododendron

·         the ways to distinguish the two groups are:

o   Azaleas:  mostly deciduous, with smaller leaves and pubescent stems and leaves; flowers have 5 stamens and are usually funnel-shaped in clusters; more of a medium-textured shrub

o   Rhododendrons:  mostly evergreen, with larger, glabrous leaves, often with small scales or dots on leaf undersides; flowers have 10 or more stames and are usually bell-shaped in clusters; overall are a coarse-textured shrub

·         both have simple leaves, alternate leaf arrangement; leaves are ovate to obovate to lanceolate

·         sizes range from 3' - 10' and 2/3 to equally wide, generally an upright, oval shape or rounded shape

·         flowers occur in early to mid-spring, usually earlier for azaleas than rhododendrons, but varies with species and cultivar group

·         both prefer full shade to part sun, moist, acidic, well-drained, high organic matter soil and cool roots

·         very slow to slow growth rate