Rhododendron albrechtii
Subgenus Pentanthera Section Sciadorhodion
Species deciduous azalea
Epithet: after Dr M. Albrecht, a Russian naval surgeon
AM 1943 (Bodnant),FCC 1962 (Bodnant) to the clone 'Michael McLaren'
H4
Shrub with a loose habit growing to 1-2.5m in height
Flowers: Trusses of 2-5 rotate-campanulate flowers that open before or with the leaves. Flowers are 23-35mm long × 35-50 mm across; red-purple, bright purplish-rose or deep rose, with olive-green spots on the upper lobe
April-May
Not scented
Foliage: Dark green leaves, 36-90mm long × 13-40mm broad, in clusters of 5 at the end of branchlets; obovate or oblong-obovate; both surfaces densely strigose and bristle toothed on the margin. Deciduous
Distribution: Central Honshu to Hokkaido, Japan at 750 - 2,000m
Other information: Discovered by Michael Albrecht in 1860, growing in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. Seed sent by both Charles Sargent (1892) and Ernest Wilson (1914) to the Arnold Arboretum.
Best grown in light shade; good autumn colour
Photo: Philippe de Spoelberch
Location: Wales
Photo: Liz O'Neill
Location: Dorset
Photo: Robin Whiting
Caerhays Estate
Location: Reuthes Sevenoaks Kent
Photo: Polly Cooke