PLANT OF THE MONTH

March 2020 — Rhododendron

Common Name: Rhododendron

Latin Name:   Rhododendron barbatum

Family:   Ericaceae

Type:    Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Origin:   The Himalayas

Location at Bloedel Reserve:   The Glen

Garden Uses:  Specimen Tree

Fun Fact:  Rhododendron barbatum is one of our first Rhododendrons to bloom here at the Bloedel Reserve. It was grown from seed in the early 1970s and later donated to the garden, making it around 50 years old!  This species was first scientifically recorded by Wallich in 1829, and was introduced into general cultivation by J. D. Hooker shortly after.