Rhododendron viscosum ‘Violae-odora’
Treated here as a cultivar of Rhododendron viscosum Torr. but may be naturally occurring. See Rhododendron viscosum Torr. for more detail. A deciduous azalea with hairy shoots, elliptic leaves, to 3cm long, often glaucous beneath, and trusses of up to 12 tubular or funnel-shaped fragrant white flowers suffused with pink, to 3cm long, appearing after the leaves in summer. To 2.5m. [RHSE, Hilliers']. Violae-odora is presumably a form considered to have the scent of violets.
Horticultural & Botanical History
Don reports that ‘there are a great number of varieties of this species varying in the colour of the flowers and otherwise.’ Both Paxton's and Johnson's Dictionary lists a variety odorata. Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet figures A. viscosa pubescens: ‘The very fine variety now before us is a native of North America: we have had it in cultivation for many years. It is perfectly hardy, and flowers in great profusion about the month of July. The blossoms are extremely fragrant.’ [LBC no.441/1820]. This publication also figures A. viscosa rubescens. [LBC no.1518/1829]. Introduced to Europe in 1734. [PD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.125/1843]. A plant was presented to the Sydney Botanic Garden on December 24th 1845 [RBGS AB].
Notes
Published Jun 08, 2009 - 03:51 PM | Last updated Sep 11, 2011 - 03:40 PM
Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr. var. pubescens | LBC no.441/1820 as Azalea viscosum pubescens | RBGS
| Family | Ericaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern North America |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Swamp honeysuckle |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Azalea viscosa violae-odora
|
| Confidence level | high |
