Kesangiae Rhododendron                rho-do-DEN-dron

• Broadleaf evergreen upright shrub or small tree, to about 7 ft (~2.1 m) tall in 10 years.  Bark rough, gray brown.  Leaves broadly elliptic to almost obovate, 20-30cm long, 10-16cm wide, apex rounded, base wedge-shaped (cuneate) or rounded, lower surface covered with fine, closely matted hair, with very prominent lateral veins.  Flowers bell-shaped (campanulate), in compact clusters of 16-30, each flower 4-4.5 cm long and 3-3.5 cm wide, petals 8-lobed, rose or pink, fading to pale pink or light purple, white, with dark muave nectar pouches.
• Hardy to 5° F (-15° C),   
• Native to Bhutan, found in the undergrowth of fir forests; at elevations of 2700-3100 m.
• kesangiae: named after Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Chhoden Wangchuck.
• Federal Way, Washington: Rhododendron Species and Botanical Garden.