Rhododendron spinuliferum Ericaceae Grown by Vanessa Kuemmerle in Emeryville (a relatively hot garden). The flower clusters and individual blooms of this ericacaeus shrub look nothing like those of other rhododenrons (including azaleas). The vermillion to bright red tubular flowers are 1.25" long in loose trusses and are strongly reminiscent of firecrackers. It is an easy plant to grow, tolerant of sun, shade, heat and temperatures down to 12°F. It is native to China and is finally being used in hybridizing some quite wonderful offspring. Two other species closely related are keysii and spiciferum.