Dr. Bowman

This selection of R. arboreum albo-tomentosum opens its flowers in late December, around Christmas time! On the stems, and the undersides of its leaves is a white wooly indumentum, which gives this variety its name 'albo-tomentosum'. The foliage is dark-green and shiny, making it very attractive year round. Hardy to zone 7, it is considered somewhat tender, as are most all Arboreum rhododendrons. If you live in an appropriate zone, this would be a plant to add you your collection. It is slow growing, but will reach 6 feet tall in 10-15 years. The flowers are about as red as red can get!

Rare Variety – This variety is difficult to find anywhere due to these reasons

·       Hard to propagate – many cultivars do not root easily from cuttings, but at a reduced rate thus making the plant rare.

·       Hard to find – these cultivars are hard to find in the first place, probably because they are hard to root from cuttings