With waxy red bell like flowers, Rhododendron buxifolium is found in Sabah, and surrounding areas.
It is another Vireya type, the ‘buxifolium’ name comes from the foliage which is said looks a little like buxus. We think it look a lot nicer than that.
Growing in the higher foothill areas such as Mt Kinabalu on the island Of Borneo. The leaves are small and a deep olive green, rounded and slightly felty.
The flowers are a brilliant red and highly visible from a distance. Appearing in umbells of up to 10 individual flowers, they are slightly honey scented, however hardly noticeable.
In the wild, reaching up to 4m in height, sometimes more. In cultivation much smaller and can be tip pruned to maintain a small bushy habit.
How To Grow Rhododendron buxifolium – Basic Care
- Well drained humus rich moist soil
- Mulch around plants to maintain a cool root run
- Best in dappled shade and a frost free position
- Pruning is generally not required, however you can tip prune after flowering to help maintain a bushy habit.
- Best in dappled shade and a frost free position
- Pruning is generally not required, however you can tip prune after flowering to help maintain a bushy habit.
This Vireya type Rhododendron species from Mt Kinabalu grows at around 3000m, so although from tropical climates it grows well in cooler zones.
You may also like
- Rhododendron yakushimanum
- Vireya Rhododendrons
- Rhododendron laetum
- Rhododendron tuba
- Rhododendron buxifolium
- Rhododendron plants for sale