The Story
Rhododendron ferrugineum, the alpenrose, snow-rose, or rusty-leaved alpenrose is an evergreen shrub that grows just above the tree line in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura and northern Apennines, on acid soils. It may grow up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and produces clusters of pinkish-red, bell-shaped flowers throughout the summer. The undersides of the leaves are covered in rust-brown spots, which give the species the second part of its binomial name (ferrugineum, Latin for 'rust-coloured, ferruginous').
Plants become smothered in blooms as flowers are numerous and spread over the entire plant! Leaves are evergreen, shiny, dark-green, and are attractive all year.
Type: Hardy shrub
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Height: 60", 150cm
Location: Sun or part shade
Seeds per packet: 50. These seeds have naturally low germination rates. Follow germination information on the packet.
Description
Rhododendron ferrugineum, the alpenrose, snow-rose, or rusty-leaved alpenrose is an evergreen shrub that grows just above the tree line in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura and northern Apennines, on acid soils. It may grow up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and produces clusters of pinkish-red, bell-shaped flowers throughout the summer. The undersides of the leaves are covered in rust-brown spots, which give the species the second part of its binomial name (ferrugineum, Latin for 'rust-coloured, ferruginous').
Plants become smothered in blooms as flowers are numerous and spread over the entire plant! Leaves are evergreen, shiny, dark-green, and are attractive all year.
Type: Hardy shrub
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Height: 60", 150cm
Location: Sun or part shade
Seeds per packet: 50. These seeds have naturally low germination rates. Follow germination information on the packet.
