Rhododendron laetum & ‘George Budgens’
Ericaceae
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Rhododendron ‘George Budgens’ & laetum
Ericaceae
Don Mahoney, Strybing Nursery
This vireya rhododendron is a hybrid of R. laetum x R. zoeleri, named after the founder of Berkeley Hort Nursery. It has large 1-1/2” to 2” salmon-yellow flowers with orange tips in trusses of 6-10. Like all vireyas it can bloom year round since they are subtropical. Heaviest bloom is in early spring and mid-autumn. They can be grown with regular rhododendrum conditions but also can be grown as epiphytes, either in hanging baskets or mounted on cork. They are cold sensitive and only tolerate light frosts. They also do not like sustained hot temperatures as they generally come from higher altitudes. They need good air circulation as they can be prone to mildew under stale air conditions.
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