About
A diverse genus of climbing, annual or perennial vines from South and Southeast Asia with broadly lobed, mid-green leaves and white or yellowish, fringed, star-shaped flowers followed by elongated, angular or ribbed fruits that are edible when young and used in Asian cooking. The genus includes the snake gourd (T. cucumerina), grown as a vegetable and for its ornamental long, pale green fruits.
About the genus
Rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side, and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes
Plant details
Suggested usesWoodland gardens, specialist collections
Care notes
CultivationAcidic, moist, humus-rich soil in sheltered dappled shade
PruningAllow natural form. Deadhead if practical
PropagationSeed for species integrity. Cuttings also possible
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceRoot rot in poor drainage. Protect tender species from frost