Rhododendron augustinii 'Bokrijk'

Many of the gifts we received in the past grow into beautiful plants that are worth mentioning. In 1983, Philippe de Spoelberch received a Rhododendron augustinii from Jef Van Meulder, then curator of the Bokrijk arboretum. Every year the plant surprises us in May with its rich flowering and striking blue-purple color. The funnel-shaped flowers are arranged per 3 to 6 and have a 4 cm long rose pistil. The flower peduncle is also often red and covered with scales. The nectar guide in the center of the flower, formed by a pattern of pronounced green speckles,  makes the flowers even brighter. In 35 years, the shrub became 3 meters high and 1.5 meters wide. Because of its rich flowering and its eye-catching blue-purple color, it was named "Bokrijk" in 2019.