Rhododendron indicum ‘Purpurea Plena’

Horticultural & Botanical History

This may be the Chinese introduction figured as ‘Azalea, double red Indian’ in the Botanical Register [BR f.56/1842] although this does not accord with the earlier description of the double purple [BR f.811/1824].  ‘The beauty of the Azaleas, which, although Chinese, are called Indian, is too well known to the Garden-lovers of England to require explanation.  Their endless variety, their brilliant colours, delicate texture, and profuse blooming, place them at the head of all the races of cultivated plants.  Most of them are however single, and in our opinion that is no small merit; for a double flower is rarely handsome unless when the additional parts are arranged with the most perfect symmetry.  Such is not the case with this double red, the flowers of which are large and splendidly coloured, but very deficient in beauty of form.  It is however rare, and quite a distinct kind; circumstances that give it value in the eyes of a collector.  It is of Chinese origin: but is not enumerated by Kaempfer.  Our figure was taken from a fine plant in the possession of William Wells, Esq., of Redleaf’.  [BR f.56/1842].  The plant figured is a vivid red and is perhaps unlikely to be purpurea plena although the epithet purpureus did cover a wide range of colours between red and violet.  [Stearn p.476].  See also Rhododendron indica ‘Purpurea’.

For more information on Indica Azaleas see Rhododendron indicum Sweet.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.106/1843].  ‘Azalea double red’ was also requested of Loddiges’ Nursery on 1st February, 1849.  [MP A2933-1, p.185].

Notes

This plant may be synonymous with Rhododendron mucronatum f. plenum Wils.  [Wilson & Rehder p.73].  This is illustrated and described under Rhododendron indicum Sweet var. rosea superba, which see.  [BM t.2509/1824].