15. Mollis-azaleas

These deciduous Rhododendron-cultivars are mainly the result of crosses between the large-flowered species R. japonicum and R. molle. It was the Belgian, Louis van Houtte, who achieved the first such crosses as early as around 1870. They were later developed further by the Dutch firm Koster.

The range of colours is limited, from yellow (rarely), through flaming orange – e.g. ‘Polly Claessens’ and ‘Christpher Wren’ – to fiery red – e.g. ‘Kosters Brilliant Red’. The colour of ‘Appleblossom’ is rather special in this company: genuinely apple-blossom pink.

These are hardy plants, best grown in full sunshine. They can become rather straggly and have mainly been displaced by the more elegant Knap Hill cultivars (see this collection above).

Back to Rhododendron - Cultivar Collection