Rhododendron lutescens
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Rhododendron genus in the family Ericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Rhododendron
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many members have poisonous leaves. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities[3].
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants are being grown as a medium-sized hedge at Wisley, RHS gardens in Surrey[7].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China in C. Sichuan.
- Habitat
- Hillsides, scrub, hedges and forest edges, 1750 - 3000 metres[4]. Thickets and wood margins fully exposed to the sun, 2000 - 2800 metres[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[5]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[8]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[1]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[5]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[1], though this species has been shown to tolerate a neutral to slightly alkaline soil[6]. Somewhat heat and drought tolerant. Generally hardy to about -10°c[4], though some forms of this species are tender in Britain[2]. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[5], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[1]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[5]. Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[5]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
RHS. Wisley, Surrey. The Garden. Volume 124. 1999. RHS. Wisley, Surrey. 1999-00-00 ISBN 0308 5457
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00