Rhododendron keiskei

Rhododendron keiskei is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, native to Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan.

Rhododendron keiskei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species:
R. keiskei
Binomial name
Rhododendron keiskei
Synonyms
  • Azalea jodogawa Hassk.
  • Azalea keiskei (Miq.) Kuntze

It is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub, reaching only 60 cm (24 in) tall by 1.85 m (6.1 ft) broad when mature. The leaves are elliptic in shape, and the pale yellow flowers, each with ten prominent stamens, are abundantly produced in spring.

The Latin specific epithet keiskei honours the Japanese botanist Keisuke Ito (1803–1901).[1]

Varieties

Two varieties are recorded:[1]

  • R. keiskei var. keiskei – does not tolerate freezing temperatures
  • R. keiskei var. ozawae – prostrate shrub growing to only 30 cm (12 in), but hardy to -10° F, and leaves shorter

Cultivation

The slow-growing cultivar R. keiskei var. ozawae ‘Yaku Fairy' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[2][3]

This plant is best cultivated in a sheltered spot with moist acidic soil, in a partially shaded woodland setting.[2]

References
  1. "Landscape plants: Rhododendron keiskei". Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Horticulture. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  2. "RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron keiskei var. ozawae 'Yaku Fairy'". Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  3. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 85. Retrieved 8 October 2018.


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