 |
 |
 |
| 1st May 2006 | 21st May 2006 | |
|
A small growing hybrid with very dark leaves and dark pink flowers. I have recently moved it, after years of languishing in deep shade, and it is slowly recovering. A seedling from the PJM Group of rhododendrons. Rhodyman.net says: " 'Black Satin' has a semi-erect habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, dark rose-pink flowers in mid-April. Fall and winter foliage is glossy and very dark purplish-black." Hybridised by E.V. Mezitt, named and introduced by Weston Nurseries in 1987, the International Rhododendron Register says: "Fls 5/ball truss, with 10 or more trusses /branch, tubular-funnel-shaped, 19-25 x 25-32mm, with 5 wavy-edged lobes, strong reddish purple (72B). Calyx under 1mm lomg, light pink/green. Lvs oblong, 32-44 x 13-19mm apiculate at apex, cuneate at base, with light green scales on young foliage which mature to rusty green; young foliage very dark mahogony, remaining dark after flowering. Shrub 0.9 x0.9m in 10 years. Early May." The PJM Group of rhododendrons were raised in the USA by E.V. Mezitt in 1939 from a cross between R. minus Carolinianum Group and R. dauricum Sempervirens Group. The plant grew well for me for about ten years and then faded away. |
||