Sinogrande Rhododendron

An evergreen shrub (or small tree) native to Yunnan (China), southeastern Tibet, northeastern Burma, and Arunachal Pradesh (India), reaching 35 feet. Bell-shaped flowers about 3 inches wide, dull creamy white to soft yellow with red patches at the base, in massive clusters of 20 to 30 blooms. The largest leaves of any rhododendron species, up to 3 feet long.

The enormous leaves are this species' defining feature and make it one of the most architecturally dramatic plants in the genus. Requires a sheltered, frost-free site with high humidity. Not a practical landscape plant; grown as a specimen in large gardens and collections. Acidic, well-drained soil. Twenty-one diseases and 15 pests documented at the genus level. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic if ingested.