Hollard Gardens

Family: Ericaceae (Heath)

Synonym: Rhododendron johnstoneanum 'Ken Burns'

Life form: Shrub - evergreen

Comments: Habit: Compact growing to 1.5m.

Flowers: Deep champagne (or biscuit) coloured in bud, lighter champagne (or creamy yellow to white) on opening, with a deep gold blotch and reddish orange flare in dorsal throat. Early flowering, slightly perfumed. Flowers completely smother the plant so no leaves are visible.

Foliage: leaves elliptic, 80 x 25mm, scaly.

History: Originally called R. johnstoneanum Ken Burns but clearly a hybrid. It was growing in Ken Burn's Timaru garden and is of unknown origin. The flowers are wider opening and a different colour than true johnstoneanum. Registered by Dunedin Rhododendron group in 1988.

Cultivation information: Suitable for container, tolerates a range of conditions, available from rhododendron nurseries in New Zealand.