Both of these rhododendrons have recently been introduced into the garden and flowered within the last 30 years. It seemed a good idea to plant them together as they often grow side by side in the high altitude regions of Nth Vietnam, where unfortunately their natural habitat range has become severely eroded.

Rh. petelotii is part of the Irrorata Sect. but doesnt flower as early as a number of others in the group thereby missing the worst of the spring frosts. It has one of the finest trusses with dark red flowers of any rhodo when fully open, and the colour here taken by digi camera doesn’t really do it justice.

Rh. suoilenhense is one of the larger growing species where it has already reached 6m in a sheltered spot, and is definitely happy as it is already self seeding around on old rotting logs. The immature leaves have a characteristic band of light indumentum which created some confusion with the similar leaved Rh. protistum when it was first seen. But once mature the leaf underside shows an attractive smooth light fawn colour.

Neither has suffered from any cold spells and are 1st rate plants that I can recommend for any large garden on acid based soils.