7. Diverse company
A “Peer Gynt” of Rhododendron cultivars
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It is not always easy to arrange systematically plants with parentage as mixed as in some Rhododendron cultivars. Along with this motley crew, we had older plants that just needed to be placed somewhere, and our solution was to create a “Peer Gynt” (in the spirit of Sæverud, rather than the more traditional Grieg) of diverse and colourful bedfellows.
The uppermost section includes the newest in red from Hachmann, which are much brighter than the older cultivars seen across the road. This is due to crossing with R. griersonianum, which was the key to creating a truly red flower. ‘Vulcan’, positioned centrally, demonstrates this beautifully.
More unusual are cultivars with double flowers, such as ‘Queen Anne’s’; and with two-toned flowers, such as ‘Ann Lindsay’ that is red on the outside and white within.
At the upper road we present a more uniform group of Rhododendron insigne cultivars. These represent a new development in Rhododendron breeding that has produced compact plants with shiny, luxuriant foliage and an abundance of pink flowers. ‘Brigitte’ is a striking example.
