Rhododendron indicum Sweet var. magnifica
Azalea magnifica, a hybrid bred by Messrs. Rollinson about 1857, is figured in the Illustration Horticole with large single white flowers, the upper petals shown with a brilliant orange centre, all shaded with crimson. [IH pl.209/1859]. The variety alba magnifica is figured in the Floricultural Cabinet: ‘This is an admirable pure white variety, of exquisite form, and the petals of thick substance.’ [FC p.69/1852]. Galle considers Rollinson’s ‘Magnifica’ to be a ‘Mucronatum’ cultivar. [See Rhododendron indicum Sweet var. alba].
Horticultural & Botanical History
For more information on Indica Azaleas see Rhododendron indicum Sweet.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.99/1857].
Notes
The Indica variety ‘Magnifica’ sold today has purplish-pink flowers and is probably not synonymous with Rollinson’s plant. The deciduous Occidentale hybrid ‘Magnificum’, with creamy-white flowers, flushed pink, with an orange flare, rose flushed in bud, was a later introduction. [Hilliers’].
Published Jun 04, 2009 - 05:44 AM | Last updated Jul 18, 2010 - 02:55 AM
Rhododendron indicum Sweet magnifica | IH pl.209/1859 | RBGS
| Family | Ericaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | China or Japan. This variety of garden origin, England |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Indica Azalea |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Azalea Indica magnifica |
| Confidence level | high |