Zenobia pulverulenta Raspberry Ripple

The Zenobia pulverulenta 'Raspberry Ripple' is a bush lily of the valley tree variety, particularly ornamental with its marbled raspberry pink scented flowering, young shoots of the same pink colour, and bluish foliage in spring that turns red in autumn. It is a cold-resistant bush, absolutely delightful but somewhat demanding: it appreciates the same growing conditions as a rhododendron.

The Zenobia 'Raspberry Ripple' belongs to the Ericaceae family, just like heathers. The botanical species is a deciduous to semi-evergreen bush native to the southeastern United States, where it is found on the edge of pine forests along with heathers, in peat bogs and damp heathlands, in poor, acidic, and consistently moist soil.

The 'Raspberry Ripple' cultivar distinguishes itself with its lovely pink colours. It is a slow-growing bush that generally reaches 1.50 m (5ft) in all directions. Its habit is flexible, carried by slightly arched branches, covered with a bluish bloom when young. The foliage is evergreen in mild climates during winter but, more often than not, falls in autumn, depending on the severity of the winter. It consists of ovate leaves, 2 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) long, arranged alternately. Young shoots are tinged with pink-red, unfurling into leaves covered with a bluish bloom. Their undersides are pale blue. With the cold, in autumn and winter, they turn reddish-purple. Over time, the bark turns reddish-brown, offering an exciting contrast with the foliage. Flowering takes place from May to July, depending on the climate. The raspberry-pink flower buds emerge along the previous year's branches. They are grouped in clusters of 3 to 6 units, each opening into a bell-shaped, pendulous flower, white marbled with pink-red. They emit a delightful scent, both aniseed and vanilla.

A heathland plant in the strict sense, the Zenobia 'Raspberry Ripple' will reach its full potential in gardens that provide the cool and humid temperate climate it requires. It can be planted in borders with Japanese maples, rhododendrons, Pieris, camellias, and other azaleas. Its small size and slow growth allow it to be grown in a large pot, using a suitable growing medium, with frequent watering using rainwater.