In article ,
Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:

In message , sally pearce
writes

My late fathers passion was Rhodedendrons. The labels on most of his
plants are lost or illegible. Does anyone know a really good book to
identify them from pictures?


The RHS Plant Finder (online version) has 3829 records for the genus
Rhododendron (including 767 for Azalea). On the one hand this will
include some synonyms, but on the other hand there will be Rhododendrons
that exist, but aren't present in Plant Finder. (Elsewhere on the RHS
web site I find a reference to 850 species and 25,000 cultivars.)

Given that your father's passion was Rhododendrons then it's at least
possible that he collected some of the less well known forms.
Consequently it's unlikely that you would find a book illustrating them
all, and even if you did you may not be able to distinguish them from
the pictures. (I've got photographs of probably nearer 300 than 200
forms of Rhododendron; I can't tell them all part.)

Did he have records of what he has? If you have a list of names it would
be easier to associate names with plants. You could even Google for
images, rather than look for a book.

Also, try http://www.rhododendron.org

If you mention what type of Rhododendrons he grew - large-flowered
hybrids? "alpine" rhododendron? Azaleas? someone may be able to offer a
more focused reference.

Steward a question.

Years ago I saw a rhododendron with very simple flower. Was red and
about half the size of our tree peonies. This was in a formal garden on
South Carolina USA. We were tired and left with no identification.

Regretted not able to follow up and it sort of haunts me still. 20
years latter. I guess the question is what rhododendron has simple
large flowers.

Fingers crossed for a hint!

Thanks

Bill

--
S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
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