Description

General aspect and origins - Rhododendron 'Loderi' is a cross between R. Griffithianum × R. Fortunei. It is an evergreen small tree that can be up to 21 ft (7 m) tall. It has evergreen leaves, and pink to white fragrant flowers.
Leaves - Leaves of 'Loderi' are light-green to emerald-green, with a brown leaf stem. Leaves sometimes droop.

Note : In spring, flower and leaf buds tend to open at the same time.
Flowers - Inflorescences group 9 to 12 large flowers, which are pure white to deep-pink. However, flower buds are always pink. The flowers are fairly to strongly fragrant, depending on many factors (including exposition, heat, daytime, etc.)

There are many cultivars of Rhododendron 'Loderi', among which :

White flowers :

'King George' - Pink flower buds that turn pure white when blooming, whith green-white traces on the center.

'Patience' - Pure white flowers with purple traces in the center.

'Princess Marina' - Is a cross between R. 'Loderi King George' × R. 'Loderi Sir Edmund'. Flowers are pale pink to pure white.

'White Diamond' - White flowers with deep pink traces in the center

Pink flowers

'Game Chick' - Silvery pink flowers with pink traces in the center

'Pink Topaz' - Deep pink flowers with creamy pink traces in the center.

'Sir Edmund' - Waxy pink flowers.

'Sir Joseph Hooker' - Deep pink flowers.

Culture

R. 'Loderi' took the best features of its two parents :

It has the shape of a small tree and can reach more than 21 ft (7 m) tall.

Its bark exfoliates and has lovely pink-brown colors

Its foliage, very similar to that of R. Fortunei, is emerald-green.

And of course, it has large fragrant pure white to pink inflorescences

All these qualities make this rhododendron a very good choice for mild climates gardens.
Soil - Rhododendron 'Loderi' likes well-drained and acidic soils that remain fairly moist. They dislike too much shade, or direct sun exposure.

Propagation

This plant can be propagated by cuttings, air layers or budding techniques.

Pictures of Rhododendron 'Loderi'