Racemosum - White Flower Form

The rhododendron species R. racemosum is native to Sichuan and Yunnan China, growing in forest or grasslands 5,000-11,000 ft. The name comes from the greek racemose, meaning 'along the stems' as in a raceme. We grow a pink form and a white form, this one being mostly white. There is a bit of pink as the plant first opens, but will be white when fully open. The flowering is so heavy, it attracts lots of bees. The foliage is a gray-green and has a very spicy 'rosemary' type fragrance when handled. One plant will grow to 8 ft tall x 10 ft wide in 10 years. The flowering happens in mid to late march when few other plants are in flower, so has value for that reason.