Does anyone have any advice on which rhododendrons will grow in my hot and humid garden? I was thinking some of the ones from southern china and india. I really like the specie rhododendrons.
rhododendrons for southern heat and humidity
Azaleas are rhododendrons and you can try just about any type of azaleas where you live, including native ones. Some of the iron clad rhododendrons may do well in LA:
•Boule de Neige
•Catawbiense Album
•Catawbiense Boursalt
•English Roseum
•Ignatius Sargent
•Ken Janeck
•Lee's Dark Purple
•Minnetonka
•Mrs. Charles S. Sargent
•Nova Zembla
•Olga Mezitt
•PJM
•Purpureum Elegans
•Purpureum Grandiflorum
•Roseum Elegans
It seems as if the species Rhododendron Hyperethrum is the best parent for heat tolerant hybrids. A Mr. Thorton has produced a group of hybrids exceptionally tolerant to heat. Thorton
has tried them out in the heat box of New Orleans. and they have also a good record with cold tolerance.. One of the hybrids he has produced is called Opal or by some people Opal Thorton. Some are available at Rare Find Nursery along with many other nurseries. There are also some heat tolerant hybrids by the great Japanese rhododendron hybridizer Ito. arfitz
You are probably thinking about this:
http://www.azaleachapter.com/gulf_south.htm