Rhododendron Best flowering Shrubs

The name Rhododendron comes from the greek words "rodon" which means "rose" and "dendron" which means "tree", hence Rose Tree. Rhododendron flowers are usually produced in trusses. The family Ericacea, into which the genus Rhododendron falls, also includes heathers, mountain laurels, blueberries and cranberries as well as manzanita, trailing arbutus, madrone, huckleberry, kalmiopsis, sourwood, blueberries and a number of other genus. Rhododendrons are referred to as the King of Shrubs since they are regarded by many as the best flowering evergreen plants for the temperate landscape.

Some Popular Rhododendron Varieties
There are around 1000 species/varieties of Rhododendrons. Here is a list of some popular ones-

• Rhododendron arborescens
• Rhododendron argyrophyllum
• Rhododendron augustinii
• Rhododendron auriculatum
• Rhododendron calendulaceum
• Rhododendron calophytum
• Rhododendron camtschticum
• Rhododendron campylogynum
• Rhododendron canadense
• Rhododendron catawbiense
• Rhododendron caucasicum
• Rhododendron chamaecistus
• Rhododendron cicliatum
• Rhododendron cinnabarium

Rhododendron beanianum is a rare 'lost' species of rhododendron, thought to have died out 50 years ago, thought to be the only one of its kind in the country, and has been identified and rediscovered by an excited gardener by Ray Abrahams at Minterne Gardens in Dorset. With its stunning display of bell-shaped flowers in colorful hues the Rhododendron is a spring time delight for garden enthusiasts and bees alike.

Rhododendron beanianum was originally planted in the 23-acres of Minterne House, which has been home of Churchill's ancestors and now the Digby family for the last 350 years, in 1910. It was well-loved until the late 1950s when it seems to have been forgotten about. The last record of the shrub was in 1963. Now the discovery is causing a stir in the horticultural world once again as it is hoped Mr Abraham can cultivate and propagate the plant to sell to Rhododendron collectors.