Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ (15/03/2015, Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London)
Position: Partial shade
Flowering period: Early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic
Eventual Height: 1.5m
Eventual Spread: 1.8m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Ericaceae
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ is a slow growing, evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic, up to 13cm in length and 4cm broad. The white flowers of the plant are large and funnel shaped, up to 5cm across and appear in spherical clusters. The fruit of the plant is capsule like.
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ Flower (15/03/2015, Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London)
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ is derived from a hybrid between Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron caucasicum.
The etymological root of the binomial name Rhododendron is derived from the Greek rodon ‘a rose’ and dendron ‘a tree’. Nobleanum is named after Charles Noble (1873 – 1957). Album is derived from the Latin for ‘white’.
The landscape architect may find Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ useful as an evergreen screening plant with attractive flowers in soils with an acid pH. As it prefers to be located in dappled shade, it is suitable for woodland planting schemes.
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ Leaf (15/03/2015, Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London)
Ecologically, Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ does not posses much ecological value in the UK as its nectar is poisonous to bees.
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It will tolerate an acid to neutral pH of soil, although it prefers an acid pH.
Rhododendron nobleanum ‘Album’ requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out after flowering but before the new buds form.