Rhododendron • シャクナゲ • 石楠花 • shakunage

There is only one in SJG, growing in area G, behind other bushes against the E fence, but it is such a large shrub (12′) with large and showy trumpet-shaped clusters of flowers,  that it is easily visible from the E path when in bloom (usually early/mid may, flowers stay on for 2-3 weeks).

SJG • 5/6/13 – Rhododendron ‘Azor’ • Rhododendron; Area G, Plant List describes it as ‘corolla strawberry-pink, but in my eyes is more salmon-pink

SJG • 5/6/13 – Rhododendron ‘Azor’ • Rhododendron; Area G, Plant List describes it as ‘corolla strawberry-pink, but in my eyes is more salmon-pink; BUDS (vivid pink), FLOWERS (fading to strawberry/salmon pink) and LEAVES (big and shiny)

From Plant Finder:  Rhododendron Azor Group & cl.

This plant is an evergreen shrub. It is notable for its striking flower clusters and glossy foliage. Large shrub with large salmon-pink flowers.  It’s shape is described as rounded. It grows to a height of 3m and 3m in width. It has slender foliage that is dark green. It produces flowers during early summer that are trumpet-shaped and pink in colour. […]

From Hirsutum:
Hybridiser: Stevenson, J.B.. Ascot, Berkshire, England, 1927 (see more plants of this hybridizer)
Status: IRRC registered.
Height in 10 years 150 cm. (5ft.) […]

From Journal American Rhododendron Society April 1951:  […] This hybrid was made by J. B. Stevenson and received an Award of Merit in 1933 from the R. H. S. It has been related to me that Mr. Stevenson was a most learned and authoritative lover of species rhododendrons and made very few hybrids. Mr. Stevenson’s garden gave ample evidence of his preference for it contained almost all the species and subspecies of rhododendrons neatly set in rows. I am not aware that R. ‘Azor’ was one of his favorites, but it must have pleased a most critical gardener for it kept its place in his garden through the years.

R. ‘Azor’ as we know it leads one to assume that confusion and some little scrambling of varieties is present. Almost every garden contains R. ‘Azor’s of different form and color. Officially the flower is described as a soft salmon, but I have seen many different hues even approximating very pale pink. Usually the person whose garden has one or more plants will designate them by a surname: “Layritz Azor,” “True English Azor,” “Goldsworth Azor,” all different and in some cases almost inferior. I am not aware of any gardener who has with any degree of certainty been able to state “That is the A.M. form of R. ‘Azor’. […]

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