Rhododendron oreotrephes

A medium to large species from SW China and S Tibet, with excellent blue-green foliage, paler when young, contrasting with deep pink young shoots. A floriferous species with heads of pink, mauve or purple funnel-shaped flowers in April-May, depending on location, with or without crimson spotting inside. An upright-rounded species, filling out with age. Hardy, this can be semi-deciduous in very cold gardens. An easily grown species for acid soil in sun or semi-shade.