Rhododendron argyrophyllum explained

Rhododendron argyrophyllum (银叶杜鹃) is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to forested slopes at NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) in E and NW Guizhou, S and W Sichuan, and NE Yunnan in China.

Description

Growing NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) tall, it is an evergreen shrub with handsome elliptic or lanceolate leaves up to 13cm (05inches) in length; and pale pink bell-shaped flowers in late spring. The Latin specific epithet argyrophyllum, meaning "silver-leaved", refers to the silvery-white under-surface (indumentum) of the leaves.^[1]

Lower taxa

Several lower taxa are accepted:^[2]

• Rhododendron argyrophyllum subsp. argyrophyllum
• Rhododendron argyrophyllum subsp. nankingense (Cowan) D. F. Chamb.
• Rhododendron argyrophyllum subsp. omeiense (Rehder & E. H. Wilson) D. F. Chamb.
• Rhododendron argyrophyllum var. glabriovarium M.Y.He

Cultivation

R. argyrophyllum is hardy down to -15C but like most rhododendron species requires a sheltered position in dappled shade with acid soil that has been enriched with leaf mould.

The cultivar R. argyrophyllum subsp. nankingense 'Chinese Silver' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Harrison, Lorraine . RHS Latin for Gardeners . 2012 . Mitchell Beazley . United Kingdom . 978-1845337315 .
2. Web site: Rhododendron argyrophyllum. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew . 2018-10-07.
3. Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Rhododendron argyrophyllum subsp. nankingense 'Chinese Silver'. 3 October 2018.
4. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 85 . Royal Horticultural Society . 2 October 2018.