Common Name:

General Information

Rhododendron schlippenbachii is a rather spreading, deciduous shrub that can grow 1 - 4.5 metres tall[, , ].
The plant is an ingredient of commercial cosmetic preparations. A plant of exquisite beauty when in flower, and its fine leaves, suffused with purplish red when young, are the largest and most striking among azaleas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northeast China, Russian Far East (southwestern Primorye), Korea

Habitat

Broad-leaved forests, thickets; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhododendron schlippenbachii is native to the temperate zone in a region where summers are hot and dry whilst the winters can be very cold. It is very cold-tolerant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -30°c, but it requires a clear distinction between the seasons. In areas where there can be mild spells in winter, or cold spells in the spring, it will come into growth with the early warmth only for its flowers and young leaves to be destroyed by any subsequent frost[].
Being an inhabitant of thin oakwoods in a region with hot and sunny summers, this species needs plenty of light and does not thrive in very acid soils. A light soil enriched with leaf-mould is better than a peaty one[].
Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[].
Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the leaves and young branches is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in mid spring. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter.
Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[].