Large evergreen shrubs or trees with large, very thick and rigid, oblong leaves.The leaves are deep green and glossy on the upper surface with deeply impressed veins.The lower surface has a thin shiny whitish to buff indumentum.The flowers (early spring) are borne in a large round inflorescence.They are pink to purplish-pink with a crimson blotch.A distinct and attractive “big-leafed” species with nicely colored flowers and good foliage.Best in mild climates with partial shade and plenty of moisture.Rare in cultivation and in the wild.Found only in the TsangpoGorge of S Tibet where in occurs in temperate forest from 8,000 to 9,000 ft.
1974/004'Benmore'KW#6261A:RNG(+25).An award form with pink flowers and a crimson blotch.FCC 1957.
1980/050KW#6261A:BH(+25).From seed collected in the Tsangpo Gorge by F. Kingdon-Ward on his 1924-25 expedition to Tibet.
1982/043LAN:UBC(+25).From selfed seed collected from the cultivar 'Benmore'
1997sd223RSBG(+10\R1\5).These are seedlings grown from a controlled pollination cross of 80/050 (KW#6261a) selfed.This clone (80/050) is a plant grown from the original and only collection (1942) of this species in the wild.The rarely offered real thing.
2000sd127RSBG(+10\R1\5).These are seedlings grown from a controlled cross of 1980/050 (KW#6261a) selfed.One of the hardier big-leafed species.Large bright pink to purple-pink flowers in early spring.
