Tree of the Month - February 2017
What is the Tree of the Month?
Rhododendron moupinense
Why is it tree of the month?
One of the first rhododendrons to flower at Westonbirt, Rhododendron moupinense is a shrub native to western Sichuan in China, where it often grows as an epiphyte. The parent of our plant was just 30cm tall when seed was collected from it, though our plant is considerably taller than that now and also has rather attractive bark. Flower colour of the species is somewhat variable, though our plant is distinctly white in this respect. The colour show provided by our other rhododendrons is not so far away…
Where can I find it?
Our sole specimen can be seen growing well just inside Spring Gate in the Old Arboretum.
You can locate specimens using the Westonbirt Map.
