Rhododendron serotinum..Maybe
Harry R. Wright
Courtenay, British Columbia
Canada
I have been growing a rhododendron that I bought as Rhododendron serotinum for several years. The foliage is as described in Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons, making it a very attractive plant in the garden, a little pruning here and there helping to remove the lax and straggling look.
The flower is pure white, with a touch of pink in the bud stage. The crimson blotch is missing in the throat. The plant flowers in July.
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Only one flush of foliage is retained, and before the previous flush drops in the fall it turns a very striking red colour (every year).
Do I have Rhododendron serotinum ? Or is it an impostor, or is it, as the saying seems to go, being a species, it is very variable?
Even if it did not flower I would grow it for the fall foliage display. Is this a normal happening?
Mr. Wright is a member of the North Island Chapter.