Dauricum Rhododendron

A semi-deciduous to deciduous shrub native to eastern Siberia, northeast Mongolia, northeast China, Korea, and Japan, reaching 6 feet. Bright rosy-purple flowers about 1 inch across, appearing very early in the season before or as leaves emerge. One parent of the widely planted 'P.J.M.' hybrid.

Among the earliest-blooming rhododendron species, flowering in late winter to very early spring. Extreme cold hardiness from its Siberian range. A parent of the P.J.M. hybrid group, contributing early bloom timing and cold tolerance. Acidic, well-drained soil. Twenty-one diseases and 15 pests documented at the genus level. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic if ingested.