Large upright shrubs with bristly branchlets and smooth, peeling reddish bark. A compact and rounded inflorescence of scarlet to crimson flowers in early spring. This species is very similar to the widely grown barbatum, really differing only in the presence of a thin indumentum on the lower leaf surface. Attractive and interesting bristly petioles and reddish new growth. A choice long-lived species for the woodland garden with attractive foliage, flowers and bark. Native to forests from 8,000 to 13,000 ft. in NE India (Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan and SE Tibet.
1965/255STR(=5).Form with brilliant red flowers.
1975/059KW#13362:Nymans(+5).A clone from Kingdon-Ward’s 1937 expedition which has proven to be the best of this species at Nymens.
1995sd279(smithii)95ARS#342:RSBG(0?\R1\6).Grown from a cross between two clones grown from seed collected wild in Sikkim.Red flowers and purplish peeling bark.
1995sd311(smithii)95ARS#343(0?\R1\6).Grown from a cross between two clones with dark red flowers.Grown from seed collected wild in Sikkim.
1997sd567SEH#581:RSBG(0 to –5\R1\6).My own collection from 10,800 ft. in the Sikkim Himalaya.Beautiful foliage
