| Rhododendron arboreum | |
|---|---|
| Rhododendron arboreum flower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Rhododendron |
| Subgenus: | Vireya |
| Species: | R. arboreum[1] |
Rhododendron arboreum (Tree Rhododendron) is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Rhododendron arboreum (Laligurans) is also the national flower of Nepal.
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Its name means "tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form". It has been recorded as reaching heights of up to 20 m,[2] although more usually it has a height and spread up to 12 m (36 ft) x 12 m (36 ft).
In early- and mid-spring, trusses of 15-20 bell-shaped flowers, 5 cm (2 in) wide and 3–5 cm (1.25–2 in) long are produced in red, pink or white. They have black nectar pouches and black spots inside.
It prefers moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich, acid soil, in dappled shade. It has broad, dark green leaves, 7–19 cm (3–7 in) long, with a silvery, fawn or brown hairy coating beneath.
This plant is suitable for woodland gardens.
Shelter is imperative to prevent wind damage to leaves.
Rhododendrons are susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron and azalea whiteflies, leafhoppers, lacebugs, scale insects, caterpillars, aphids, powdery mildew, bud blast, honey fungus, rust, leafy gall, petal blight, silver leaf, phytophthora root rot and lime-induced chlorosis.[5]