Trees and Shrubs

Rhododendron indicum ‘Obtusum’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet which see. Dwarf, densely-branched, evergreen or semi-evergreen azalea with small, oval, glossy leaves and clusters of one to three, funnel-shaped flowers, to 2.5cm across, in shades of bright red, scarlet, crimson or white in spring.  To 1m.  [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers'].   

Rhododendron indicum ‘Optima’

Probably a cultivar or hybrid of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. Galle lists two azaleas named ‘Optima’.  The first is a late flowering amoena hybrid with large, deep pink flowers which may correspond the plant named Optima figured in Paxton's Magazine of Botany [MB p.55/1845].  The flowers are bright scarlet with deeper spots.  English bred, its parents are unknown.  This is similar to Azalea optima described in the Floricultural Cabinet: ‘Bright rosy-scarlet; flower large and showy.  the plant six feet by four.’  [FC p.137/1848], and: ‘Fine orange, with darker blotch on upper segment; flower large, good form, and very showy.’  [FC p.148/1850].  This is probably Macarthur’s plant.  Wilson & Rehder provide some information on the probable origins of this plant.  ‘Azalea “Optima” with dark scarlet flowers [and] Azalea “Prince Albert” […] were undoubtedly derivatives of R. simsii and representatives of the “Indian Azaleas” of to-day, and the first introductions into America [in 1847] as far as I can discover.’  [Wilson & Rehder p.48].

Galle’s second azalea is an old Ghent Hybrid with yellowish-white flowers, edged reddish-orange, and with a yellow blotch.  This is unlikely to be Macarthur’s plant.

Rhododendron indicum ‘Ovata’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. I have found no reference to this azalea and no description.

Rhododendron indicum ‘Purpurea Plena’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. Azalea indica purpurea plena is probably the plant noted by John Lindley in the Botanical Register as the double purple with lilac-purple flowers, seen at Brookes’ Nursery but not figured.  [BR f.811/1824].  

Rhododendron indicum ‘Purpurea’

Treated here as a cultivar or hybrid of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. Galle describes ‘Purpureum’ as a ‘Mucronatum’ hybrid synonym ‘Lilacina’, with light reddish-purple flowers with a red blotch, but see notes below as this may be a different plant.

Rhododendron indicum ‘Ramentacea’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘Received from Mr. Fortune, May 8, 1846, and said to be from Hong Kong.  This has something [of] the aspect of the common white Chinese Azalea, with smaller flowers, but it appears to be in reality a very distinct species.  The leaves are often nearly round, and at the most are only oblong.  The flowers have but five stamens; the sepals are very short, and bordered with long ramentaceous hairs at the edge, although they are naked on the back.  There are no glands or setae on either calyx or flower-stalks.  It is a dwarf evergreen shrub, requiring the same kind of treatment as other species of Chinese Azalea, and easily increased by cuttings in the usual way.  It is very pretty and distinct, and deserves general cultivation.’  [JHS iv. 291/1849].  

Rhododendron indicum ‘Refulgens’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘[Azalea refulgens is] a showy orange-red; very pretty […] bright scarlet, with darker blotch and spots.  Flower large, and plant four feet by four.  It deserves to be in any collection.’  [FC p.138/1848].  Listed as a good garden variety by later editions of Paxton's Dictionary. 

Rhododendron indicum ‘Robusta’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘A bright rosy-red; showy, and large flowers.’  [FC p.137/1848].

Rhododendron indicum ‘Semi-duplex Maculata’

An uncertain identification but probably a hybrid of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. According to an advertisement from Bainbridge & Hewison, Nurserymen, Seedsmen and Florists, York, it was a fine variety, double, rosy-pink, spotted, bred by Smith.  [Gard. Chron. 1856].  ‘A pretty pink, with crimson spots.  Very showy.’  [FC p.255/1848].

Rhododendron indicum ‘Smithii Coccinea’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘Bright orange-red, with a purple tinge on the upper segment; good form.’  [FC p.148/1850].  ‘One of the best red Azaleas for early work.’  [Gard. Chron. 1855].  Presumably one of the hybrids raised by Mr. Smith of Norbiton.  [See also Rhododendron indicum ‘Danielsii’]. 

Rhododendron indicum ‘Smithii’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘This beautiful hybrid was raised a few years ago from seed produced by A. ledifolia (synonym A. phoenicea), impregnated with the pollen of Azalea indica by Mr. Smith, of Coombe Wood, Kingston.’  A stout shrub, the stems covered with brown hairs, its flowers are bright rose, spotted with bright red in the upper segments.  [MB p.102/1834, and MB p.145/1835].  Galle.  Azalea ledifolia is a form of Rhododendron indicum.

Rhododendron indicum ‘Speciosissima’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘A bright rosy red, slightly spotted.  A separate blossom, is five inches across.  It is very showy.’  [FC p.138/1848].  A free-flowering, tall growing, rosy-purple, spotted variety.  [FC p.166/1839].  In Paxton's Magazine of Botany, Azalea speciosissima is described as a seedling variety, ‘raised by Mr. Smith of Norbiton, who has sent it out with the forgoing title.  Its flowers are of a greater size than those of any other kind we know, and the hue is a deep and splendid crimson, with numerous dark spots in the upper petals.’  [MB p.119/1843]. 

Rhododendron indicum ‘Splendens’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet, ‘Splendens’ was described but not figured in Paxton's Magazine of Botany from a plant seen at Henderson’s Pine Apple Nursery: ‘Flowers like those of Azalea indica smithii, though of a deeper ground colour, with darker spots, and of a far greater size.  Its habit, too, is thought to be dwarfer and denser, and its whole aspect is superior.’  [MB p.94/1841].  An orange-pink, spotted variety, bred by Smith.  Advertisement from Bainbridge & Hewison, Nurserymen, Seedsmen and Florists, York.  [Gard. Chron. 1856].  

Rhododendron indicum ‘Triumphans’

Probably a cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. An Indian Azalea of this name was offered for sale in The Gardeners Chronicle by William Barnes of Camberwell in 1860.  [Gard. Chron. 1860].  This was possibly Smith’s ‘Triumphans’, described as a ‘fine rose, upper part crimson and spotted, fine formed flower.’  Presumably raised by Mr. Smith of Norbiton, breeder of many fine azaleas.  [FC p.166/1839].

Rhododendron indicum ‘Variegata’

A cultivar of Rhododendron indicum Sweet. ‘This has white and red striped and spotted flowers and blooms irregularly the year round.  In the nursery district round Osaka it is known as “Shiki-takane-satsuki.”  In Blume’s time it was cultivated in Java, and according to Lindley it was introduced into England by Mr. M’Killigan in 1833, to Knight’s nursery in Chelsea, London.’  [Wilson & Rehder p.26].