50 seeds Rhododendron ledebourii.
Naturally distributed in Altai, Sayan Mountains, northeastern part of Mongolia. It grows from the undergrowth of coniferous forests, on mountain slopes, rocks, in the subalpine belt. Protected in reserves.
Semi-evergreen, finely branched, densely leafy shrub up to 1.5 m tall, with branches directed upwards. The bark of the trunks and branches is dark gray, the shoots are thin, red-brown, ferruginous-scaly and shortly pubescent in youth. Leaves are soft, leathery, ovate-elliptical or elliptical, up to 3 cm long, obtuse at the top; the top is dark olive green, shiny, with scattered scales; paler below, yellow-green, later rusty-brown. Leaves overwinter, curling up into a tube and opening only during strong thaws, persist during flowering and fall off when new shoots begin to grow. Blooms in May for 10-15 days, secondarily in autumn. The bloom is very colorful. The corolla is pink-violet, up to 4.5 cm. The fruit is a capsule up to 1 cm long.
FULLY WINTER! Resistant to pests and diseases. Used together with Daurian rhododendron. Decorative with dense foliage and bright flowers. Good for composite plantings. In culture since 1870.
USDA Hardiness Zone (°F): 2 (-50 to -40 °F)