I was interested in the Rhododendron fortunei, to compare with the Stanley Park R. fortunei hybrid I posted for confirmation in the Rhododendron fortunei? thread in Plants ID. This is the perfect time to see these showy trees. The open blossoms are as much as 10cm in diameter. Here is Rhododendron fortunei subsp. fortunei. Rhododendron fortunei subsp. discolor (Houlstonii Group). The tag on this one also said Rhododendron fortunei subsp. discolor (Houlstonii Group). Here is Rhododendron degronianum subsp. yakushimanum 'Mist Maiden'. The flowers look similar from a distance, but there are markings on the petals and the leaves have indumentum. Rhododendron maculiferum subsp. anhweiense - this belongs with my grouping from last week of simple bells for the flowers. I liked the hairy stems on this Rhododendron maoerense.
The original British Loderi clones produce tall trusses of trumpet-shaped flowers, this latter feature coming from R. griffithianum. Neither it nor the R. fortunei parent produces tall trusses - this is one of the first noticeable differences when looking at R. fortunei and related species - the clusters are never conical. In fact, built-up trusses being a feature specific to those garden hybrid rhododendrons that have them is a pretty much general occurrence.
