Rhododendron griersonianum
Family - Ericaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Western China, North Eastern Myanmar
Discovered By - George Forrest, plant hunter
Year of Introduction - 1917
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1.5m or more
Width - 1.5m or more
Location - The Spring Garden
Description: A medium-sized Evergreen Shrub with an upright, bushy habit. Mid to dark green leaves are narrowly oblong to lanceolate in shape. The leaves have a leathery texture and are covered in brown woolly felt on the undersides. Tubular bell-shaped rhododendron flowers with slender throats and are a rich shade of scarlet red. Each Bloom has a central cluster of long, protruding stamens with black Anthers. The Blooms are held in trusses and are produced from early to midsummer.
This plant was raised from seed collected in China by the renowned plant hunter, George Forrest. It is named in honour of his friend R. Grierson, a Chinese customs official. This rhododendron is commonly used as a parent plant in hybridizing.
Flower:
Tubular bell-shaped flowers with slender throats are rich scarlet red. Each bloom has a central cluster of stamens with nearly black anthers. The blooms are held in trusses and are produced in June and July, possibly earlier.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Tubular bell-shaped flowers in trusses
Flowering time: June, July
Foliage:
Leathery, mid to dark green leaves are narrowly oblong to lanceolate in shape. The leaves are covered in brown indumentum on the undersides. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the upright, bushy stems.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Oblong to lanceolate
Propagation:
Cuttings, layering, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade. This plant prefers a moisture-retentive, acidic soil that is well-drained. This rhododendron will benefit from being protected from early frosts in the autumn and late frosts in the spring.
