Rhododendron luteum

Deciduous, up to 3-4 m tall, branched, highly growing shrub with oblong or oblong-elliptical leaves, up to 10 cm long, ciliate along the edge. Young leaves with soft pubescence on both sides, later glabrous. In autumn, they are painted in yellow, orange and red tones. Flowers of 7-12 in scutes, very fragrant, corolla yellow or orange-yellow, with a narrow-cylindrical tube, expanding in limb up to 6 cm in diameter. They bloom before or during the leafing season. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule up to 2.5 cm long.

 

Rhododendron luteum grows relatively quickly, is frost-hardy, requires moist, humus-rich soils, and does not tolerate dry air. Gives abundant root growth, grows strongly at the same time and forms impassable thickets. Grows well in the sun, but tolerates partial shade. It is very decorative at the time of flowering and in autumn, when the leaves are painted in bright colors. The typical shape is good on the edges and in groups. Numerous garden forms - in single and group planting in the foreground in gardens and parks. In culture since 1792.

 

Rhododendron luteum grows in forests as an undergrowth, on forest edges, clearings, on shallow crushed stone soils at an altitude of up to 2000 m above sea level. It has been known in culture since 1792. In horticulture, it is known as the Pontic Azalea. He played an important role in the development of the culture of rhododendrons. It is the best stock for deciduous rhododendrons. It is very widely used in breeding, is the ancestor of many valuable varieties of deciduous rhododendrons, including such a well-known group of varieties as the Ghent azaleas.