VIU Milner Gardens and Woodland

Plant Pick: R. Fragrantissimum

by Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association

R. Fragrantissimum is just that, highly fragrant!  Its perfume is outstanding, and this hybrid is highly sought after. R. Fragrantissimum is a hybrid lepidote rhododendron (has scales). It’s parentage is edgeworthii x formosum var. formosum.  Both species parents are somewhat tender and both are fragrant, which accounts for its strong scent.  Cold hardiness is -9C, but to ensure that the flower buds do not get frozen, it is best to keep it protected from freezing.

This rhododendron is usually white and is flushed with pink. The flowers are broadly funnel-shaped, with wavy edges about 2.5 inches across.  They sometimes have yellow throats.  The trusses are lax (flowers hang down) with approximately 1to 4 flowers in each truss.

There is a newly selected cultivar of this hybrid called R. Fragrantissimum Improved.  This form has a very much improved habit as it is much tighter growing and more compact.  It is an upright well-branched plat that is easy to grow where adapted.

Rhododendron Rhododendron

Attribute

Description

Form:

This is a medium sized shrub, approximately 3 feet or 90 cm in 10 years.  It has a very leggy habit but responds to pruning very well.

Foliage:

Evergreen.  Leaves are retained for two years.  Leaves are ovate, oblong-ovate or obovate, broadly acute apex, with a cuneate base, 3.5 inches long, rugose, and hairy.

Height/Width:

90 cm in 10 years.

Hardiness Zone:

7.5-8

Exposure:

Can take full sun but prefers protection from wind and some afternoon shade.

Flower shape and colour:

white with some pink on the outside of the corolla and sometimes a yellow throat.

Leaf colour:

Olive green

Flower time:

Early May

Preferred soil

and watering:

Watering  Prefers well-drained soil.  Can be kept in a pot for a good many years

Pests and diseases

 N/A

Other:

This photo (above) of the Milner R. Fragrantissimum that is now planted beside the Milner Gardener’s cottage (2025) in front of the south facing window was donated to Milner by Jean Greig.  This photograph was taken in approximately 2015.  She kept this plant in a large cement planter on her deck on Cameron Island, Nanaimo.  It was kept severely pruned and was in full sun, protected from the wind by a glass railing.