Rhododendron x yakushimanum Golden Torch

Rhododendron 'Golden Torch' is a particularly floriferous hybrid derived from the Japanese species Yakushimanum, which has given it a compact habit. Its flowering in May is a delight for the eyes: clusters of salmon-pink buds open into campanulate flowers with creamy-white colour and amber highlights, turning pale yellow as the hours go by. The evergreen foliage, of a light green colour, adorns its branches, the stout architecture of which evokes Japanese art. An award-winning variety in England by the RHS, it is interesting even outside of the flowering period.

Rhododendrons are plants of the Ericaceae family, just like heathers, preferring soils devoid of limestone, with an acidic tendency, and humid climates. Resulting from the cross between the hybrid Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Bambi' and R. griersonianum 'Grosclaude', Rhododendron 'Golden Torch' forms a dense bush, with a rounded habit, sometimes slightly spreading, reaching about 80 cm (32in) in all directions at maturity. Its growth is rather slow, generally reaching 60 cm (24in) at the age of 10. Its evergreen leaves, of a light and matte green colour, are elliptical in shape and cover the plant well. They have a very velvety underside. In May, its remarkably abundant flowering submerges the bush: grouped in corymbs, beautiful large salmon-pink flowers in buds open in a palette of delicate shades, creamy-white, pale amber yellow, pale yellow.

Like all Yakushimanum hybrids, affectionately nicknamed "rhodos yak" by specialists, Rhododendron 'Golden Torch' is quite hardy down to -15°C (5°F) or even -20°C (1°F). Even though they prefer a semi-shaded exposure, these hybrids can tolerate the sun as long as it is not scorching and their base remains damp. 'Golden Torch', with its abundant and luminous flowering, will easily decorate a small shaded space in the garden, alongside ferns, blue or variegated hostas, Pieris, heathers, Kalmias, Azaleas and Japanese Maples, or other rhododendrons from the same group to create superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Growing it in a container requires regular watering with non-limestone water and specific fertilizer for ericaceous plants.