13. Valley of the giants
Large-flowered Rhododendron cultivars Part 2.
Hovedinnhold
Here we continue with ‘the giants’, displaying cultivars of parentage beyond just the R. decorum group. These include the spectacular R. calophytum crosses, such as ‘Caramba’; and one with the related R. sutchuenense (a species hardly ever used in breeding) as a mother: ‘Frühlingsbeginn’; all produced by H Hachmann. We also have one of the few crosses of R. niveum on display: the American ‘Whidbey Island’. In addition, we present some more of the R. decorum group crosses. Of these, ‘Pink Pearl’ and ‘Loderi’ are among the most well-known; we present both, as well as some of their offspring, for example ‘Halfdan Lem’. This latter cultivar is the best red-flowering cross made by H. Lem, originally from Sogn in Norway, and the most important Norwegian Rhododendron breeder to date, in his nursery in Seattle. It is named in his memory.
All these cultivars need a sheltered site, as is the case in this valley, to thrive in our climate.
