About
A large, evergreen conifer to 30m or more from the rainforests of Queensland, Australia, forming a broadly domed crown with broadly elliptic, dark, deep purple-green (atropurpurea) above, thick, leathery, paired leaves and large, spherical female cones. A subtropical tree of botanical interest for a warm, sheltered, frost-free garden or large glasshouse.
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