Rhododendron mucronatum seedling

[Hoy]

The first rhodo to flower this year as always but two month or so later than last year. The mother is Rh. mucronatum I believe but I don't know the father!

[Todd Boland]

Looks like a moupinense hybrid but they and mucronulatum hybrids are most commonly mauve-purple although white forms of moupinense do exist.  The only other early white rhodo I know is leucaspis but it is not a really early bloomer, at least not around here.  R. dauricum is the earliest in my area but that one is still a few weeks away.

[Hoy]

Looks like a moupinense hybrid but they and mucronulatum hybrids are most commonly mauve-purple although white forms of moupinense do exist.  The only other early white rhodo I know is leucaspis but it is not a really early bloomer, at least not around here.  R. dauricum is the earliest in my area but that one is still a few weeks away.

Todd, you are right!
I mixed up the names, both starting with m! As Kelaidis says, forgetting plant names in 50 years. And no labels, of course.

[Todd Boland]

Glad I still have a grasp of rhododendrons!  I've seen pink forms of moupinense in Vancouver open in late February so i knew it was one of the earliest bloomers.  I don't think it is hardy here...certainly I've never seen any locally.  Too early around here risks getting frosted.  It is a rare year for our Magnolia stellata not to get frosted.....that is why I only grow Magnolia sieboldii...it doesn't bloom until June.