Upright evergreen shrubs or small trees with shiny red-brown peeling bark.The large oval leaves have a heart-shaped base and a thin pale brown indumentum on the lower surface.The flowers (early spring) are rose-pink to crimson with deeper colored nectar pouches.A fantastic foliage plant with colorful and bristly new growth.One of the first species to bloom in the garden.Native to the eastern Himalayas of S Tibet and adjacent E Bhutan where it occurs in forests from 10,000 to 13,000 ft.Formerly known as R. argipeplum.
1965/251Stronachullin(0\R1\5).Large shrubs related to barbatum but with much larger and more rounded leaves with a thin indumentum.Red flowers in early spring.Smooth peeling reddish bar.Very attractive foliage plant.
1976/024Reuthe (0\R1\5).Red flowers.Very distinct species
