Racemosum

Many of our visitors to the gardens think this is an azalea because of its small leaves.  But upon closer inspection, it differs quite a lot from an azalea.  The leaves are small, but stiff and a bronze-green in color, and the flowers appear all along the stems, unlike azaleas that flower at the branch ends.  Appearing like a cloud of light pink flowers in late February or early March here in our garden, R. racemosum is noticed and desired by all who see it.  The stems are red in color, contrasting to the green leaves, adding interest all year.  Not a large grower, this rhododendron species will fit into most gardens.