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Rhododendron » Rhododendron (lepidote - Small Leaved)
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Rhododendron (lepidote - Small Leaved)
LEPIDOTES (SMALLER LEAVED) We grow a large variety of lepidotes at RareFind Nursery and also are growing a great number of seedlings for evaluation. For those of you new to rhododendrons, the name literally means “scaly leafed,” as opposed to the other more familiar category, the elepidotes (“leaves without scales”). The scales usually appear to the naked eye as miniscule, usually brownish dots on the undersides of the leaves. The leaves are often highly aromatic when crushed, with a pine-like or clove-like scent, and are usually smaller than those of most elepidotes; common examples are the PJM Group. In contrast, typical examples of elepidotes are 'Roseum Elegans' and 'Nova Zembla.' As a general rule, the lepidotes appreciate more sun than the elepidotes, are smaller growing, and exhibit much diversity in leaf size and shape. They can be evergreen or deciduous, although most are evergreen. Some lepidotes are the earliest rhodies to bloom, such as hybrids and forms of the species R. dauricum and R. mucronulatum. Others can be among the last to bloom in June, such as R. minus var. chapmanii. Hardy types for the eastern US can be found in a wide array of colors, excepting red, although breeding work is progressing and coming close. Lepidotes are often mistaken for azaleas because the leaves and plants are often of similar sizes; the key is that azalea leaves never have scales, are usually hairy, and thinner textured. Although not as well known as the elepidotes (or large- leafed rhododendrons), we believe lepidotes should enjoy wider use in the garden. First, many bloom over the several weeks prior to the main elepidote season, creating a much longer display of bloom for the garden. Second, they tend to be smaller growing and can more readily find a place in today's smaller gardens. Lepidotes are much more sun tolerant than most elepidotes, and grow best in brighter situations. They also exhibit a great variety of plant forms, from tiny “buns” with diminutive leaves for the rock garden to larger-leafed mounds of color with leaves up to 4 inches long on plants up to 6 ft or more in height. Finally, lepidotes have a charm that is different from the huge, spectacular trusses of the elepidotes and can be used effectively by the discriminating gardener. We have been involved with hardy lepidotes for many years and have amassed a large collection. In addition to Hank's selections, breeders well represented include Dave Lewis, formerly of Colt's Neck, New Jersey, the Mezitts of Weston Nurseries in cold Massachusetts, the late Weldon Delp of western Pennsylvania, Frank Furman of New Jersey, and Warren Berg of Washington state. Berg named his now world famous hybrid 'Ginny Gee' for Hank's wife Ginny. Try a few! Enough botany, on to the plants. KEY TO LISTINGS: 'Name' • bud hardiness • (parentage) • hybridizer and/or introducer • 10 year size Size measurements are horizontal for low growing plants. [Size preceded by an asterisk (*) indicates a 6 to 11 gallon plant]

RHODODENDRON 'Manitou'
(C8) A compact plant, it has pink flowers that deepen in color with age. It is similar to the famous 'Windbeam' but with bigger flowers and a better habit. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Mary Fleming'
(C8) Pale yellow from R.keiskei and rays of salmon pink from R.racemosum produce a unique bisque yellow effect. It has attractive bronzy winter foliage. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Mindaura'
(C8) Flowers are lavender pink. Plant is very compact and dense growing. Foliage is dark mahogany in winter and a pleasing matte green in summer. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Molly Fordham'
(C8) Think of this as a white PJM-type rhododendron, but covered with trusses of exceptional white flowers and set off by dark green and glossy foliage. Growth habit is compact and upright. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Mrs. J.A. Withington III'
Light lavender fully double flowers with frilly petals cover this plant. Foliage is bronze in winter and medium green in summer. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Northern Starburst'
(C8) Think of PJM on steroids: larger flowers (typical bright lavender color), heavier leaves, which are black in winter, and tree-like stems. It grows tighter, and slower than PJM and in a mound. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Olga Mezitt'
(C8) Basically, this is PJM in a clear, true bright pink. It blooms about two weeks later than PJM, with a wonderful dark reddish-bronze fall foliage display as well. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Pikeland'
(C8) In late April, its compact mound is covered with pale pink to white flowers with darker spotting. Always a reliable bloomer, 'Pikeland' can take the heat and sun. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Pink Magic'
(C8) A lepidote with glossy apple green foliage and large pink, somewhat bell-shaped early flowers. It is a heat tolerant, dependable grower. It can burn in northern, colder winters, but it always recovers. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Pioneer Silvery Pink'
(FC) Upright growing and fills out beautifully with larger leaves that suggest an R.minus (carolinianum) heritage. The flowers are a wonderful soft pink that cover the plant. more info

RHODODENDRON 'PJM Compact Selection' Jim Cross
(C8) This is a selected form of PJM that has all its good growing qualities but on a more compact plant with darker, lavender pink flowers. Instead of growing in an upright vase-like habit, it is dome-shaped. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Rosemarie'
(C8) The purple-blue flowers are large and cover the plant that grows as an upright mound. Densely covered with small glossy dark green leaves. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Smoke Signal'
(C) The outsized puffs of smoky lavender-blue flowers surely led Weldon Delp to aptly name this vase-shaped, taller growing lepidote. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Southland'
(C8) It is a semi-dwarf plant that forms a low dense mound of glossy medium green leaves slightly larger than its keiskei parent. It is very floriferous with peachy to creamy pink flowers. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Weston's Aglo'
(C8) The bright pink flowers are similar to 'Olga Mezitt', with a reddish throat and they are really pink. It is a compact, lower growing plant and the glossy aromatic foliage turns shades of deep red in the fall. more info