Rhododendrons in Bloom in April
Of the more than 25,000 registered rhododendron hybrids, these are five of a full spectrum of dazzling rhododendrons that lift spirits in April.
Rhododendron ‘Biskra’ is a slender, upright rhododendron with R. cinnabarinum and R. ambiguum parentage.
Rhododendron ‘Biskra’ leaves are slender, elliptic, glossy green. Its waxy, bright, pendant, bell-shaped flowers are stunning.
Rhododendron augustinii Ken Cox’s form
Rhododendron augustinii
Rhododendron ‘Viscy’ is an eye-catching rhododendron when in bloom and has often been selected as the ‘People’s Choice” award at rhododendron truss shows
Rhododendron ‘Viscy’ grows to be a large plant with strong, waxy foliage and flowers
Rhododendron ‘Blue Baron’ is a compact, upright lepidote (small-leaved) rhododendron smothered in electric blue-violet flowers
A close-up of ‘Blue Baron’ shows the tight clusters of small blue flowers. An eye-catching small rhododendron
Rhododendron ‘PJM’ is one of the most dependable, earliest and brightest rhododendrons to bloom in late March and early April. PJM is an acronym for Peter J. Mezzitt who hybridized a number of siblings often referred to as the PJM Group.
This delicate and cheery rhododendron is blooming in Carrie Nelson’s garden and unfortunately the label has been lost. She welcomes identification, if you recognize it.
Carrie Nelson tells an interesting story about her Rhododendron spiciferum
“I got it in a meeting draw. I left it out all winter in a pot. Come Spring, everything about it was dead, so I threw it down the bank. Mid-summer I saw some shoots coming from the crown so I retrieved it, cut it back like a fuchsia and Voila! 8 months later, a blooming bush. I kept it in an unheated greenhouse this year, hardly watered it, and I took it out in late February as the buds were swelling. It’s lovely and wants to live!
It is a species native to Sichuan and Yunnan, China, and can be found clinging to limestone cliffs up to 8000 ft, in dappled shade to full sun. Its pubescence helps control moisture and keep insects away. It needs well-drained, rich, organic, acidic soil; a rockery is best.
So, I reckon it nearly died in the original pot because it was winter-saturated. Lesson learned!”
Don’t miss the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society Plant Sale on Saturday, May 2, 2026, held from 10am to 2pm at The Hub on Kokshila Road.
There are many plants for sale, but rhododendrons generally sell out very quickly!