Rhododendron campylogynum Lilly Bell

The Rhododendron campylogynum 'Lilly Bell' has the name of a rhododendron! It is a miniature cultivar well suited for container gardening. Its habit is dense and rounded, with small light green foliage, and it produces unusual bell-shaped flowers that are open and a deep pink colour. The plant blooms abundantly in full sun or partial shade in May and June. A characteristic of "rhodo" is that it is planted in an acidic soil or substrate that is constantly moist to wet but well-drained.

The Rhododendron campylogynum belongs to the ericaceae family. It is found in the rainiest part of the Sino-Himalayan region, at high altitudes, where it grows among rocks. It is, therefore, one of the most alpine rhododendrons. It forms a dwarf bush, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in), with evergreen, densely branched, and dense growth. The leaves are obovate, tapered at the base, rounded, dark green, shiny, and glabrous on the upper side, pale green or slightly glaucous underneath. The solitary or grouped flowers have a calyx with five rounded and barely curved lobes. The corolla, which displays various shades of purple, from pink to plum or almost black, bears fuzzy stamens and brownish-yellow anthers.

The 'Lilly Bell' cultivar forms a clump of dense small foliage, reaching 50 to 80 cm (20 to 32in) in all directions at maturity. Its bell-shaped deep pink flowers measure 1 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. It is resistant to frost down to -20°C (1°F).

The Rhododendron campylogynum 'Lilly Bell' tolerates full sun or partial shade. It requires an acidic, fertile, well-drained substrate or moist soil. Plant it in a container in its youth, in a larger pot later on, or as a ground cover in the garden. Pair it with plants that prefer acidic or neutral soil, such as small azaleas, ferns, hostas, Corydalis, and colourful heucheras in partial shade. Container gardening requires regular watering with non-limestone water and specific fertilisers for acid-loving plants.