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Rhododendron Cilpinense

Rhododendron ciliatum × moupinense ‘Cilpinense'
Rhododendron

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

An early-flowering hybrid, which unfurls its pale pink flowers from February to April, requiring shelter from late frosts. A compact, evergreen shrub reaching approximately 90 cm in height at 10 years. Grow in acidic, humus-bearing, moist, but well-drained soil, in partial shade. Hardy down to −15 °C, it is best planted in a location sheltered from dry, cold winds.
Height at maturity
90 cm
Spread at maturity
80 cm
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October
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Flowering time February to April
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Description

Rhododendron ‘Cilpinense’ is a small evergreen shrub prized for its very early spring flowering, in a very pale pink touched with a deeper rose. Compact and not too bulky, it is suitable for partially shaded borders, small gardens, and pot cultivation on a sheltered terrace. The young plant is quite hardy, but its flowering can be damaged by frost; this variety will perform better under a not-too-cold oceanic climate.

‘Cilpinense’ belongs to the Ericaceae family. It is a hybrid rhododendron obtained at Bodnant Garden (Tal-y-Cafn, Wales) by Lord Aberconway, a little before 1923. Its name results from a contraction of its two parents: R. ciliatum and R. moupinense. Compared to these two species, the hybrid is more floriferous and more compact; it tolerates cold better than R. moupinense and its flowers are a little larger than those of R. ciliatum.
Rhododendron ‘Cilpinense’ is rounded and dense, and its growth is slow to moderate; at 10 years old, it reaches 0.50 m to 0.90 m in height depending on conditions, with a comparable spread. In a pot, it remains smaller. The evergreen foliage is formed of small, oval, dark green, leathery leaves. The inflorescences, in small clusters, bear campanulate flowers of a very pale pink with a darker centre. They open very early in the season, from February to April, depending on the climate (sometimes as early as January in a very mild microclimate). The hardiness of this bush is around -15 °C, but the flower buds are sensitive to late frosts. The stems are grey to brownish, the bark smooth on young wood; the root system is very shallow, requiring an aerated soil and a mulch.

Plant ‘Cilpinense’ at the edge of a light woodland, in front of taller evergreens that filter the wind. Provide it with an acidic soil (pH 4.5–6), rich in humus, moist but well-drained. In a border, place it at the front of a group of acid soil shrubs and spring bulbs or hellebores. In a pot, use a wide container, an acidic and aerated substrate, and protect the flower buds from frosts in late winter. You can pair it with spring-flowering camellias like ‘Donation’, later-flowering dwarf rhododendrons (Rhododendron impeditum 'Ramapo') or compact yakushimanum such as ‘Percy Wiseman’.

Origin of the parents: R. ciliatum comes from the mountains of eastern Nepal, Bhutan, and southern Tibet, between 2,400 and 4,000 m altitude; R. moupinense is native to western Sichuan (Moupin/Baoxing district), and is also alpine. 
Bodnant Garden, where ‘Cilpinense’ originated, remains a premier site for rhododendron hybridisation in the UK and preserves a historical varietal heritage, a testament to this period of horticultural creation.

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Rhododendron: planting, growing and care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 15 min.
Rhododendron: planting, growing and care
Read article

Rhododendron Cilpinense in pictures

Rhododendron Cilpinense (Flowering) Flowering
Rhododendron Cilpinense (Foliage) Foliage
Rhododendron Cilpinense (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 90 cm
Spread at maturity 80 cm
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time February to April
Inflorescence Corymb
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Product reference • 250561

Planting and care

Plant Rhododendron 'Clipinense' in a gently sunny or partially shaded position, sheltered from cold and drying winds, in moist, humus-bearing, light soil, tending towards acidity. Like all ericaceous plants, it does not tolerate calcareous soils, nor heavy soils that are waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole three times the volume of the pot. Soak the root ball in (non-calcareous) water and plant the bush at collar level, in a mixture composed of 1/4 peat, leaf mould, gravel or pozzolana, and topsoil. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer by mulching. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a relatively shallow root system. As a result, they are sensitive to periods of drought. This is why a soil enriched with humus and abundant watering during dry periods is recommended. Furthermore, this root system is not very strong, which is why it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pozzolana, clay pebbles) at planting time. Maintenance simply involves cutting off the faded flowers in summer and clearing away any dead branches.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by vine weevils, which eat the edges of the leaves and the rootlets, as well as by the notorious "rhododendron leafhopper," which does not often cause severe damage.
Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendron indicates poor assimilation of iron in the soil and leads to the premature death of the plant. While lime is often the cause, poorly drained soil or a root ball planted too deeply can also explain the phenomenon.

Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Small gardens, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, rich, light, and well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Average
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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