Rhododendron Species, Wilson Rhododendron

The foliage is superb, and the main reason for growing this hybrid. The leaves are small (2.5-3" long by .75-1" wide) and densely borne. ...Read MoreMost important: Unlike almost any other rhododendron, they never curl or droop no matter how cold it gets. They look great all winter.

The flowers are just so-so---small and a strong lavender-pink, but appearing after the new foliage begins to unfold, and so generally partly hidden by it. It's the foliage that's this plant's major distinction.

It usually gets 18-24" tall here, and somewhat wider. This is a great facer plant---plant a row in front of shrubs that get bare knees.

It can be slow to establish, and a little extra pampering in the first season or two is well worth the investment. More than with many other rhododendrons, it helps to improve the soil before planting, and in the absence of rain, water weekly the first two seasons.

Like other rhododendrons, good drainage and acid soil is important. This hybrid is a bit more prone than most to fungal root diseases, but it usually does just fine.

Widely available in local nurseries.

Rhododendron x laetevirens is a hybrid between R. minus Carolinianum Group, native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Carolinas and Tennesee, and R. ferrugineum, native to the Alps.