Emu Valley Newsletter – June 2019

• Date: 7th June 2019
• author: Maurie Kuspch

RHODODENDRON GLAUCOPHYLLUM

Rhododendron glaucophyllum was discovered by J D Hooker in May 1849 in Sikkim, later to be found by other collectors in Nepal, Bhutan and again in Sikkim growing on ridges with other rhododendrons near pine forests.

A year later he introduced it to western gardens and now there are numerous distinct forms in cultivation some low growing while others form are taller, but they all have one distinguishing feature, the under side of the leaves are very white (glaucous) and the scales are very obvious.

Other interesting features are a campanulate flower, sometimes with a short, stout sharply bent style and the leaves are very pungent when crushed. Numerous colour forms are available ranging from rose- pink, purple-pink or reddish-purple; there is even a variety with white flowers.

At Emu Valley our easiest to find plants are growing in Sikkim and can be seen on the left of the Noel Sullivan Walk just after entering Sikkim growing in association with R. lindleyi and R. dalhousiae.

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