Rhododendron arboreum var roseum in Belfast Botanic Gardens

This is one of a series of short articles about trees in the Belfast Botanic Gardens compiled by the Friends group. The tree tag number relates to the small aluminium discs, usually fixed on the tree trunk, 2 to 3m above ground level.

This rhododendron is sometimes listed as Rhododendron arboreum sbsp. cinnamomeum var. roseum. The species (R. arboreum) is widely distributed in the wild for example in China, India, Pakistan, Thailand. It typically forms a small tree of some 12m height, as in the Belfast Botanic Gardens where it can be seen in a prominent position on the grass to the right-hand end of the Palmhouse. It flowers early to mid-season (photos below taken in mid-April) with 15 to 20 bell shaped flowers in a cluster. The leaves are pointed in shape and have a thin dusting of brown hairs on the underside.

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2007. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.