Formosum Rhododendron               rho-do-DEN-dron

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, open, thin habit, 4 ft (1.2 m) tall in 10 years, to 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m), young shoots, leaves, flower stalks are scaly.  Leaves elliptic to linear obovate, up to 11.5 cm long, tapered at base, apex pointed, margins bristly, at least when young, glossy green above.  Flowers white or white tinged with pink, yellow blotch at the base, fragrant, funnel-shaped, 5-6.5 cm wide, five lobed, roundish, 10 stamens; 2-6 flowers per cluster.
• 10^o F, mid-late; quality rating: 4/3/4-5 [flower / plant & foliage / performance; scale 1 (poor) - 5 (best)].   Sun.
• Native to Assam and northwest Burma (Himalaya).  R. formosum has been separated into R. formosum var. formosum and R. formosum var. inaequale (syn. R. inaequale).  In comparison to R. f. var. formosum, R. f. var. inaequale reportedly grows taller (2 ft taller in 10 years) and less dense, blooms somewhat later (mid-late mid), is less hardy (15^o F) and branchlets are bristly (Amer. Rhodo. Society).
• Rhododendron Species Foundation and Botanical Garden, Federal Way, Washington.