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24. The Blue Hill

Cultivars of the alpine Rhododendron lapponicum group.

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Rhododendron 'Mother Greer'
Photo:
Bjørn Moe

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One of the few rhododendrons that occur naturally in Norway is R. lapponicum. Its name has been used to refer to a large group of alpine species that are particularly plentiful in the Himalayas. They are dense, dwarf, and small-leaved, with mainly violet flowers.

Cultivars of these species were once popular, particularly as rock-garden plants. One of the oldest, and still popular, is ‘Blue Tit’ from the 1930s. Another classic is ‘Blue Diamond’. Both were produced through crossing with R. augustinii, a species of the Triflorum-group (see 21 The Trinity) with beautiful, pale-blue flowers, but often sickly-looking foliage. Breeders have selected for more attractive leaves and to obtain hardier plants with flowers that do not bleach in sunshine.

Many fine new cultivars have emerged, particularly from Germany and the USA. Among the hardiest are ‘Gristede’, ‘Mother Greer’ and ‘Ramapo’. The flower colour varies from deep blue-violet in ‘Azurika’ and ‘Night Sky’ to pale sky-blue in ‘Blaumeise’, ‘Blaubart’ and ‘Frost Hexe’.

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