Rhododendrons

Rhododendron fastigiatum 'Blue Steel'
Lapponica subsection
H6
AM 1914 Reuthe (the species),AGM (2002) 2012 (this clone).
Height: cushion forming shrub, 0.5-1.2m
10 year height/spread: 0.3m/0.5m
Flowers: clusters 1-5 widely funnel shaped bright lavender blue flowers to 1cm.
April/May.
Introduced: 1906 by Forrest from W.Yunnan. Recollected recently (1981 onwards).
Distribution: Yunnan 3200 - 4900m.
Recognise by: the ovate markedly glaucous mature leaves, and the young growth of glaucous grey.
Epithet: erect.
Slow growing, but very floriferous indeed, forming a mound of colour in or
out of flower. Should be in every collection. Best in sun.