Rhododendron sinogrande

Rhododendron sinogrande (凸尖杜鹃) is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It is commonly called the great Chinese rhododendron, and is native to alpine regions at 2100-3600 m in southeastern Xizang and western Yunnan in China and in northeastern Myanmar.

Description
The great Chinese rhododendron is a substantial evergreen shrub or tree reaching a height of 10 m with dark green leaves up to 50 cm long, but occasioally up to three feet (91 centimeters) long by up to fourteen inches (35 centimeters) in breadth. In late spring it bears large trusses of pale yellow or cream flowers, spotted with maroon on the interior.

Cultivation
In cultivation in the UK Rhododendron sinogrande has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is hardy down to -10 C but like most rhododendrons it requires a sheltered spot in dappled shade, and an acid soil enriched with leaf mould.