R. 'Besse Howells'
David G. Leach, N. Madison, Ohio
R. 'Besse Howells'
Photo by David LeachR. 'Besse Howells' was produced from a cross of the red-flowered 'America' with the earlier blooming white 'Boule de Neige'. Its outstanding characteristic is the remarkable freedom with which it flowers. It is precocious about the age at which it blooms and it invariably sets buds in prodigal numbers on the final flush of growth for the season, whether it is the first or the third. Older plants are a cascade of color, which might be described as vinous red, with a darker blotch in the flowers. The flowering season is mid-May.
Mr. Shammarello was looking for rhododendrons suitable for foundation planting when he made the cross, so this hybrid was selected and named because of it semi-dwarf stature and compact habit. Plants 15 years old are about three and a half feet tall and five feet broad. 'Besse Howells' is among the hardiest of the Shammarello hybrids. It has performed well in Canada, in the Chicago district, and for me in the mountains of northwestern Pennsylvania.
