Rhododendron 'Topsvoort Pearl'
By Allan C. Korth, Santa Cruz, California
Most amateur as well as commercial growers are interested in a sport of a well known plant, as noted by recent articles in the Bulletin. The ever-popular 'Pink Pearl' has produced such a sport which has received little notice in this country.
'Topsvoort Pearl', introduced by the Topsvoort Nursery, Aalsmeer, Holland, (Rhododendrons of The World by Leach, page 497) is very similar to 'Pink Pearl' but with deep pink staining of the flowers and blood red edging. Cuttings root readily and apparently will make very vigorous growth as does its parent plant 'Pink Pearl'.
I was able to take a picture in England at the 1972 Chelsea Flower Show under the optimum flower-color condition present there. It will be interesting to see if the coloring shows as well under growing conditions of the Pacific Coast.
With a name like 'Topsvoort', "its gotta be"