Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White'

Half a year ago I bought a groundfloor city-appartment.
In the (small) garden grows a gigantic 'Cunningham's White' . It is at l...Read Moreeast 4 meters tall and wide. I've been told it must have been about 70 years old.
It did survive everything (from pollution with tar paint thrown into the ground to root disturbace after cleaning and renovation of the soil) It's a nice evergreen tree, but in the first weeks of May it's spectaculair. See pictures.
Just a rather dark city-garden on the north-west with no sun in wintertime and afternoon sun from march till oktober. I guess the tree never had any pruning or care.
Never knew a Rhododendron could be tree size!!
Actually I didn't like rhododendrons at all but now I do and I love this one and I'm hoping to keep it happy ;-)

I do see this plant in landscapes in my area, although I don't have one. It can be a big boy if it is happy. The white flower trusses and...Read More late bloom time (Father's Day!?) pretty much clinch the identification. Another type that will hybridize with other rhododendrons, IF you can find something else in bloom at the same time.

My poor little cunningham, dear little cunningham,...(sung to My poor little buttercup).
I have a plant from 4 years ago, bought ...Read Moreat Lowes, Big Box stores notorious like all of them to sell wrong zone merchandise at discounted prices for our area. No wonder noone has fabulous gardens here in Michigan. (well, some folks do). (hrmph). anYHOW....
After 4 years of continually being dug up and scratched up by my free range chickens, this is the first year we have penned in the chickens and this little Rhoady is still alive (ITS ALIVE!!!!~~>>>SCREAMING) and has made a great comeback from just dead grey looking branches. Now it looks like a miniature dessicated old bonsai in my garden, about 5 inches high, but with fresh spring green clusters of nice Rhoadie looking leaves coming. I don't see any flower buds, but I guess thats asking for a bit much?
So, here we have a sturdy, not too tall Rhoadie, happily continuing to exist and now grow in a harsh zone 5. It may not be all it can be, but I will keep a better eye on it. If it is just not thriving, I will send it to a plant trader who can give it a great zone 6 home.