Very similar to ssp. Discolor but with wider obovate leaves and flowers earlier in the season.The very attractive white to pink fragrant, flowers appear in late spring.One of the hardiest of the fragrant species.Very vigorous, touch and easy to grow.Native over a wide area of China from 2,000 to 3,000 ft.
1976/029Gable (-10\R1\8).This form is fairly typical for the species, with large pale pink fragrant flowers. One of our better forms.
1976/340Larson:Phelleplace(-10\R1\8).An easy and vigorous species with attractive foliage and large, fragrant, pink flowers in mid-spring.This form, with pink flowers and darker flecks, was considered by Phetteplace to be his finest.
1982/026SLO:KWG(0).Light pink flowers.
1983/168BAL:GB(-10).
2000sd131RSBG(-10\R1\8).These are seedlings grown from a controlled cross here at the RSBG between 1976/340 (“Phetteplace best form” w/ pastel pink flowers) x 1964/055 (pastel pink).
2000sd137RSBG(-10\R1\8).An easy and vigorous species with attractive foliage and large, fragrant pink flowers in mid-spring.These are large vigorous seedlings grown from hand-pollinated seed produced here in the garden.The parent plant (which was selfed) is the hardy and large flowered Gable form.A superb selection.
fortunei ssp. discolor
Large and vigorous, upright evergreen shrubs or small trees with smooth and bright green oblanceolate leaves.The large and showy fragrant flowers (early to mid-summer) are white to pink and make a grand display when little else is in flower.Both subspecies are easily grown, floriferous and have both heat and cold tolerance.Native over a wide area of central China where it occurs in thickets and forests from 3,500 to 7,000 ft.
1966/561(discolor)WIND(-5).
1966/562(houlstonii)WGP(-10).Light pink flowers in mid-spring.
1968/827(syn. houlstonii)CHP(-10).Pink flowers.
1975/064(discolor)Gable(0).May-June white flowers.
1975/136(syn. houlstonii)GAB(-10).Fragrant light pink flowers and a streaking red blotch at the base.
1982/140(discolor)BREM(-5).This clone has pink buds opening to white flowers with yellow-green flecks.
2000sd128RSBG(-10\R1\8).These are seedlings grown from our 1983/042 (the AM form ‘John R. Elcock’) selfed.
