Rhododendron 'Caucasicum Pictum'
caucasicum hybrid
Introduced by Standish & Noble 1853
H7
Shrub to 1.5m in 10 years, ultimately up to 2.5m
Flowers: Trusses 12-14 broadly funnel-shaped flowers; 35mm long x 60mm wide, with wavy-edged lobes, clear pink, deepening at margins and paling with age, with a conspicuous dorsal ray of crimson markings
April
Not scented
Foliage: Elepidote. Leaves are oblanceolate, about 135mm long x 40mm wide, reticulate and dark, glossy green above, sparsely and minutely downy below
Other Information: Although introduced by Standish & Noble, it is thought that this rhododendron may have been raised by Ord of Manchester, UK. Commercially available
There is a second rhododendron registered with this name from Veitch & Sons before 1867. It has creamy white flowers, much spotted and is a dwarf shrub
Location: Kilmacurragh, Republic of Ireland
Photo: Seamus O'Brien