The main feature that separates azaleas from 'rhododendrons' is the number of stamens (the male parts); azaleas generally have 5 stamens while 'rhododendrons' have 10. It is generally difficult to grow evergreen azaleas in Newfoundland. Deciduous azaleas are generally easy but their main season of bloom won't be until mid-late June.
Lepidote and elepidote rhododendrons are the evergreen rhododendrons most of us recognize. The so called 'dwarf-flowered' rhododendrons i.e. those with clusters of small flowers, are mostly from the lepidote group. Another characteristic of this group is small leaves with tiny scales on the leaves, especially the undersides (easily seen with a magnifying glass). The 'PJM' rhododendrons are a typical example of lepidote group. We have several rhododendrons from this group currently in bloom including 'Madison Snow', 'PJM' and 'Isola Bella'.
The standard large-flowered rhododendrons are from the elepidote group. These rhododendrons have no scales on their leaves although in some species/hybrids, they can have a fuzzy coating of short hairs. These generally flower later than the lepidote group but a few are currently blooming nonetheless. It should be noted that you cannot create hybrids between these four groups of rhododendrons. For example, you cannot cross an deciduous azalea to a lepidote rhododendron. Elepidote rhododendrons currently blooming in the Garden are 'Carmen', 'Frilled Ivory' and 'Elviira'.
So drop by the Garden this week to see the first rhododendrons of the season!
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