Plant of the month February 2017

Rhododendron dauricum
Family : Ericaceae
Origin: N & E Asia
Accession: 1987
Location: Asian area at the far end of the Garden

This rhododendron species, introduced to Britain in 1780, is a compact, deciduous shrub growing to 2 metres with some of its leaves persisting overwinter. It is native to Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, and the north of China and Japan. The specific name relates to the area of collection - Dauria in south-east Siberia, present day Transbaikal. Due to its hardiness, with reports of plants surviving to -32^oC, Rhododendron dauricum has been used widely for plant breeding. It requires a moist, well-drained, acid soil.