Sunday, April 19, 2009

Plant of the day



Rhododendrons come in lots of shapes and sizes. This yakushimanum (usually shortened to 'yak') is one of the best we have. Its early, compact and consistent. And the red is strong and brilliant. Its a slow grower, as most of the yaks are, and has reached about 4' high and about 6' across. Its probably about 10 years old. And what's best about it is that it was a friends cast-off, so it did not cost anything. The splash of yellow behind is a very old fashioned herbaceous plant we've always given space to - the doronicum. It flowers profusely every April, and though the stems are long and thin, they stand up well in whatever weather is thrown at it.

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