Each month the UW Botanic Gardens' Newsletter, E-Flora, posts in detail about a specific plant, among many other interesting posts about events and general information.
This month's feature is about the Rhododendron.
Here is the posting:
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The Washington Park Arboretum has several gardens dedicated to Rhododendron, including Azalea Way, Puget Sound Rhododendron Hybrid Garden, and Rhododendron Glen. Our climate allows us to grow almost all the species and cultivars of Rhododendron available, excluding tropical Rhododendron. Cultivar ‘Ken Janeck’ became popular with hybridizers in the 1970s and '80s because of its small size and compact habit. ‘Ken Janeck’ has beautiful clustered flowers starting a deep rose color that transitions to a light pink as they expand. Its thick curved leaves and thick indumentum (a fuzzy layer of fine hairs under the leaf) provide texture and interest even out of flower.
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’ is a hybrid containing Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum in its parentage. This species became popular with hybridizers in the 1970s and 80s because of its small size and compact habit. There is some debate as to whether ‘Ken Janeck’ is a variety of the species or perhaps is a hybrid containing R. smirnowii or another species. Whatever its lineage this plants hardiness and beauty make it a fantastic choice for Pacific Northwest gardens. Don’t take just my word for it though, it has won the American Rhododendron Society’s Award of Excellence, and was on the inaugural Great Plant Picks list.
‘Ken Janeck’ has beautiful clustered flowers starting a deep rose color that transitions to a light pink as they expand. Its thick curved leaves and thick indumentum (a fuzzy layer of fine hairs under the leaf) provide texture and interest even out of flower.
Common Name: Ken Janeck hybrid Rhododendron
Location: Located in the Puget Sound Rhododendron Hybrid Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum. The current Puget Sound Rhododendron Hybrid Garden was officially dedicated in May 14, 2000. Plantings in this garden were divided into three time periods: Early Era – 1940-60; Middle Era – 1970-80; and Contemporary Era – 1990s to present. This garden can be found in the very center of the Arboretum, at the intersection of the Loderi Valley trail and Azalea way.
Origin: The cultivar was selected by Kenneth Janeck of Tacoma, Washington, and introduced in 1965.
Height and Spread: mature ~ 5 tall, ~ 6 spread
Hardiness Zone: USDA 5 – 8
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