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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 '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 'Red Quest'
Bright fuchsia-pink flowers are attractively displayed on a densely-foliaged, compact, mounded plant wider than tall. Foliage turns bronze-colored in winter. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Rosemarie'
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 'Star Sapphire'
Large bluish-violet flowers with lighter centers are impressive in spring. The plant grows vigorously with an upright habit and offers a second show with reddish new growth. more info

RHODODENDRON 'Thunder'
As near to black winter foliage as is possible provides a stunning contrast to the flowers. Flowers are several shades deeper than PJM. 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

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 'Yellow Eyes'
Large, cream colored flowers with a striking yellow flare in spherical trusses of 8 or 9 on an upright, vigorous plant. New growth is reddish. more info

RHODODENDRON augustinii 'Berg's Hardy Form'
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