Large upright-growing evergreen shrubs with a distinctive hairy midrib on the undersurface of the leaves. A widely-grown and floriferous species with variably colored flowers. These appear in mid-spring in shades of blue to lavender or purple, pinkish or white, typically with reddish, purple or green spots and/or a blotch. A popular species, especially the blue forms which are quite spectacular. Easily cultivated, blooming well in shady as well as fairly exposed situations. Native to China (Hubei & Sichuan) where it occurs in various open situations from 4,000 to 11,000 ft.
1963/005Windsor (0\R1\6). Large vigorous shrub with masses of deep lavender flowers with a white flushed upper lobe and gold-green flecks.One of our best forms.Very floriferous once established.
1964/057 ‘Barto Blue’Barto (0\R1\6). Lavender flowers with gold flecks on this excellent selection.
1964/206 ‘Electra’Brandt:Walker (0\R1\6). The famous clone of this floriferous species with green-flecked, deep lavender flowers.This forms a vigorous and upright, large evergreen shrub that is perfect for a screen and can be grown in sun or shade.The 1940 Award of Merit form.
1975/131GAB(-5).Lavender flowers with red-purple undertones and golden-green flecks.
1975/278(vilmorinianum)WGP:UBC(-5).White faintly tinted pink flowers with gold spots.Described from cultivated plants by Bayley Balfour and others and is possibly a garden hybrid between R. augustinii and R. yunnanense.Included for historical interest.
1975/309'Barto Blue'BRA:MVW(0).Deep lavender flowers with purple stamens and style.
1977/286Pierce (0\R1\6). The unregistered “Whalley form” with dark lavender flowers and gold-green flecks. Very nice.
1980/043BH(0).A form with pale blue-lavender flowers.
1983/079H. Short(H4).
1983/082'Moonbeam'Varnadoe(+5).A deciduous azalea of the Luteum subspecies that grows to 5 ft. in 10 years.This clone has yellow flowers.
1992/075BERG(0\R1\6).A clone grown from seed collected in the wild.
1996sd368SEH#018:RSBG(0 to –5\R1\6).Grown from seed collected wild at 11,000 ft. in Sichuan, China.I did not see these plants in bloom.
'Cerulean Mist'Our first offering of this RSBG selected form. This is considered to be the “best blue” here in the garden. Very large, almost true blue flowers. A really outstanding color selection.(0\R1\6)RSBG#2004/145
augustinii ssp. chasmanthum
Large and upright evergreen shrub.This subspecies differs from ssp. augustinii primarily in its wider leaves and more widely funnel-shaped flowers.The flowers (mid-spring) are purple, blue, white or pink, with a greenish to reddish blotch and/or spots.An easily grown, vigorous and floriferous plant.This subspecies is native to the west of ssp. augustinii in SE Tibet, W Sichuan and Yunnan, China where it occurs in various habitats from 7,200 to 12,000 ft.
1969/092Sunningdale (0\R1\6).Large and vigorous shrubs perfect for the woodland or as a screening hedge.This form with showy lavender flowers with gold-green flecks in mid-spring.A tough and reliable, floriferous species which should be in every garden.
1993sd306RBGE(0\R1\8).Seedlings.
augustinii ssp. hardyi
This subspecies differs from ssp. augustinii primarily in its deciduous foliage and white to greenish white flowers with yellow-green spots in mid-spring. Fairly rare in cultivation and seldom available. Found in E Tibet and NW Yunnan, China where it occurs from 11,000 to 12,000 ft.
1978/065Glendoick (0\R1\6). For the serious collector.
augustinii ssp. rubrum
1976/335Kehr:Berg(0 to -5\R1\5).A somewhat lower-growing version of augustinii with red-purple flowers and maroon flecks.Rarely offered and easily grown in sun or light shade.
