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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 'Weston's Starburst'
(C8) . Matte-green leaves set off globe-shaped trusses of six fully double flowers, edged in pale purple, with a yellowish, white center. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Windbeam'
(C8) Small light pink flowers cover this early bloomer. A very reliable plant. more info

RHODODENDRON Midnight Ruby
Early flowering. Compact, wide and upright growing. Red-purple flowers in late April. Green foliage all summer turns a distinctive black-bronze for winter. Very effective planted in combination with yellow or blue foliaged conifers. more info

RHODODENDRON augustinii 'Berg's Hardy Form'
(C8) The flowers are a vibrant dark shade of blue, about 2 inches wide and held in clusters of 3 to 4, with dark green leaves. The plant is upright and compact. more info

RHODODENDRON dauricum 'Daurie Four'
This is one of the first lepidotes to bloom in the Spring, and is very tough and cold-hardy. The violet-purple flowers are open faced and usually held in pairs. The plant grows tall and open in the shade but more compact in a sunnier location. more info

RHODODENDRON dauricum Pink
Pink form of this very cold hardy and early blooming species. Semi-evergreen. more info

RHODODENDRON keiskei 'Golden Globe'
(C8) Compact and husky and very floriferous with a large yellow flower. Takes sun. more info

RHODODENDRON keiskei var. ozawae (cordifolia)
(C8) A natural dwarf, this alpine form of keiskei stays under two feet tall. It is faster growing than, and superior to, the dwarf form 'Yaku Fairy'; flowers are a bit larger, and it takes our summer heat. The color is butter yellow. more info

RHODODENDRON minus 'Pink form'
This is a clonal form of the native species that has good deep green leaves, and exceptional lavender pink flowers. more info

RHODODENDRON minus carolinianum group seedlings
(C8) From Ed Connors' beautiful "best white" and pink to light lavendar seedlings from the form known as 'Jackson's Robust'. more info

RHODODENDRON minus var. chapmanii
Grows low and compact with rugose twisted dark green leaves and looks good throughout the year. Its flowers are similar to minus, but in shades of true pink. more info

RHODODENDRON mucronulatum
You know spring is on the way when R. mucronulatum flaunts its brave magenta flowers! A beautiful addition to the early spring landscape! more info

RHODODENDRON mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink'
(C8) A clear light pink and the first mucronulatum which expanded the color range beyond lavender. more info

RHODODENDRON mucronulatum 'Nana'
Rare dwarf form of the Korean azalea, R. mucronulatum, with typical lavender flowers in very early spring. more info

RHODODENDRON racemosum 'Split Rock'
Small funnel-shaped flowers are white and pink, occuring along the upper parts of the stem. A delicate species lepidote that graces the early bloom season, in April. more info