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R. Sir Charles Lemon

Natural Hybrid

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Botanical
Synonyms
R. arboreum ssp cinnamomeum var roseum f album
Subgenus Hymenanthes
Section Pontica
Subsection Arborea
Seed Parent R. arboreum ssp cinnamomeum
Pollen Parent R. campanulatum ssp campanulatum
In cultivation since 1851
10 Year Height ?
Mature Wild Height 700 cm. (23ft.)
Bloom Time midseason
Flower campanulate
Predominant Colour white
Leaves ?
Winter Foliage evergreen
Hardiness H4
Extra Information Rhododendron Sir Charles Lemon is sometimes labelled in gardens as R. arboreum ssp. cinnamomeum 'Sir Charles Lemon'. This is in fact a natural hybrid of R. arboreum ssp. cinnamomeum x R. campanulatum. Seed pods were harvested by SIr Joseph Hooker during his trip to Sikkim, Assam and East Bengal in 1849-1851 and sent to England. The plant grew in Sir Charles Lemon gardens, in Carclew, Cornwalls. During a trip to Cornish gardens, Henry McLaren, Lord Aberconway, spotted the rhododendron and took cuttings for propagation in 1937. As the plant had no name, he called it Sir Charles Lemon in memory of his grower and owner. Grown from cuttings,all the plants worldly distributed come originally from this specimen. Unfortunately, the original plant was deliberately destroyed after WW II. Though being more than 100 years old, it was in good condition. The plant forms a big shrub or a small tree up to 7 m. The pointed leaves are wider than pure R. arboreum, intermediate between the parents. They are dark kaki green above and have a rusty indumentum when mature. The stem is mahogany and the bark rough. Average annual growth is 20-25 cm. The plant is sometimes slow to bloom, do not expect to get flowers before it is 1,00 - 1,25 m. Like many species it blooms well every two years. The flowering period roughly in April can last 3 weeks. The truss is white and graceful and makes a good contrast with the leaves or the stem. Some trusses in a vase make a wonderful bouquet. The plant seems resistant to diseases.
Photo By:
Hank Helm
Date:
Location:
Hank Helm Garden, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
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Photo By:
Harry R. Wright
Date:
23 April, 2009
Location:
private garden Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
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Photo By:
Garth Wedemire
Date:
20 April, 2006
Location:
Mike Bale's Garden: Lu Zhu, Agassiz, BC, Canada
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Photo By:
Yves Tuset
Date:
Location:
own garden Brest, Brittany, France
Description:
planted in 1987
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Photo By:
Mary J. Parker
Date:
May, 2009
Location:
private garden Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada
Photo By:
Everard Daniel
Date:
03 April, 2007
Location:
Glendurgan, Cornwall, UK
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Photo By:
Yves Tuset
Date:
Location:
own garden Brest, Brittany, France
Description:
Buds opening
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Photo By:
Hank Helm
Date:
11 April, 2008
Location:
Hank Helm Garden, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Hi-Resolution Version:
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Photo By:
Yves Tuset
Date:
Location:
own garden Brest, Brittany, France
Description:
planted in 1987
Photo By:
Hank Helm
Date:
Location:
Hank Helm Garden, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Description:
over thirty years and fifteen feet tall
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Photo By:
Hank Helm
Date:
Location:
Hank Helm Garden, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
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Photo By:
Hank Helm
Date:
16 March, 2013
Location:
Hank Helm Garden, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
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Photo By:
Garth Wedemire
Date:
21 April, 2005
Location:
Mike Bale
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Photo By:
Susan Lightburn
Date:
17 September, 2012
Location:
Art Lightburn Garden, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Description:
in the afternoon sun
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Photo By:
Susan Lightburn
Date:
17 September, 2012
Location:
Art Lightburn Garden, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Description:
in the afternoon sun
Hi-Resolution Version:
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