Rhododendron 'Scarlet Wonder'
18th April 2014
My love affair with Rhododendron is such a tepid affair that it would be better to describe it as
guarded indifference. However things are changing. I had already realised that there was space in my shaded
garden for a few more good ones to add a splash of easy colour to spring.
I am trying to avoid lilac and rose and accidentally fell into 'Scarlet Wonder' when I was offered one
'on the cheap' (sorry to have traded passion for economy, but isn't that life).
Raised by Dietrich Hobbie in Germany in 1960 when he was working with the creeping R. forrestii Repens Group
to produce hybrids. This one is R.forrestii Repens Group x 'Essex Scarlet'. It makes a taller plant
than the species though it is still considerably wider than high. Flowers profusely during April.
It came into flower in the greenhouse and I planted it out immediately before I lose my nerve.
7th April 2017