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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Wells Medina Nursery Part Two: Rhododendrons

O.K. mostly Rhododendrons.  Forgot to include this in the previous post.  Daphne odora 'Leucanthe' is new to me.  Much as I love variegated foliage, something about the handsome dark green foliage of this new-to-me daphne was very attractive.  Of course, there are all of those incredibly fragrant flowers blooming now after my Daphne odoras have finished.  



Have you grown this one? 


Ulmus parvifolia 'Lois Hole' with fresh green spring foliage is a beauty but I need another dwarf tree in a pot like I need a hole in the head.

Okay, on to the Rhododendrons.  R. sinogrande is a foliage favorite of mine. Those large leaves look almost tropical to me.  A loquat for shade only with larger leaves.  Who cares if it blooms?


I may have messed up some of the names but here goes.  'Grace Seabrook'

'Surrey Heath'



'Nancy Evans x Furman's Yellow'

'Opal Luster'

Unknown Chevalier hybrid


'Deep Clover'

'Ann Cree'


Another variegated Rhododendron with gorgeous flowers. 



'Blatt Gold,' a new hybrid from Germany looks and sounds (from inteweb images and descriptions, the plant didn't initiate a conversation.)  a lot like 'Super Flimmer' to me.

It sure is  beautiful!

'Elise Watson'


'Goldflimmer'

Rhododendron stenopetalum 'Linearifolium'  another foliage favorite and the fun spidery blooms are an added bonus!
Must visit the Rhododendron Garden Nursery again soon to see in bloom that special magenta hybrid that Diane named after her father!  (see post here.)

23 comments:

  1. So many great shrubs and trees, so little space! Looks like visiting Wells Medina was almost as good as going to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.

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    1. Almost but RSG has that amazing garden and conservatory to peruse and huge mature rhododendrons.

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  2. 'Nancy Evans x Furman's Yellow' is a very pretty specimen!
    Variegated Rhododendrons also appeal to me, not only for their beauty, but also their compact habit. In a small city garden there just isn't enough space for R. sinogrande to really show off and grow to full potential.

    By the way, is it too early to look for signs of Digiplexis reemerging? Mine looks dead as a door knob.

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    1. That was a favorite of mine too! You have a good point about the smaller size of variegated rhododendrons.

      Not sure about Digiplexis but my regular old Digitalis are up and raring to go. No sign of Digiplexis survival in my garden either although they may emerge later.

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  3. Rhododendrons don't really get me excited... or so I thought until I realized that the large, mature evergreen plant that my neighbor had was one. Seeing them at nursery pot size is so underwhelming. Incidentally that plant has since been removed. :(

    I really like the Rhododendron stenopetalum 'Linearifolium'!

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    1. There are some with great foliage that I love. The blooms are nice enough and look good in a vase. When I win the lottery and have a garden with a lot more space, I'll include rhododendrons in my cutting garden.

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  4. The blooms are fabulous but some of them even their foliage are just as good looking, if not more :)

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    1. I agree, and since the foliage is around all year, I usually select my rhodies based on their foliage.

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    2. No sign of my digiplexis either, not sure when to expect it, since I just planted it last fall. I'm crossing fingers for all of us!

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  5. I keep running across the R. linearifolium. Maybe it's trying to tell me something.

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  6. Actually, you do need holes in your head or our heads would look like big potatoes and what's the point of that? I do love the last rhodie with the spidery flowers.

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    1. So glad you pointed that out! Sitting here laughing at the thought of our big potato heads!

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  7. Oh no, I've got another bad case of Rhodo envy...As I recall, this disease continues for several months as those of you in the PNW continue to post regular photos.

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    1. The doctor says take two agaves growing in the ground and call me in the morning.

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  8. Oh, I like the Unique variegated! I haven't seen that before.

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  9. Beautiful, but it is no good getting excited, I can' t grow them. But that Daphne is new to me, I am going to have to investigate that.

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    1. Must be you have chalky soil for which parts of England are famous. Sorry you can't grow these. I'll bet your lilacs and hellebores grow very well!

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  10. Yep, I need 'Blatt Gold', or 'Super Flimmer', or both.

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    1. Best to get both. You can do a side by side comparison as they grow and bloom!

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  11. The last photo with the spidery flowers might tempt me to buy another rhodo!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.