Rhododendron mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink'
Common name: 
Cornell Pink Azalea
Pronunciation: 
rho-do-DEN-dron mew-kron-ew-lah-tum
Family: 
Ericaceae
Genus: 
Rhododendron (defines evaluations)
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No

  • Open, upright, deciduous shrub to about 5 ft (1.5 m).  Leaves 4-6 cm long, thin, lance shaped, bristles parallel to the upper surface toward the margins, at least when young.  Flowers are wide funnel-shaped, to about 3-4 cm across, clear, light pink.  Flowers appear in late winter well ahead of the leaves [“a real winter spirit-lifter”, H.E. Greer].

  • - 15°F, very early; quality rating: 3-4/3/3 [flower / plant & foliage / performance; scale 1 (poor) - 5 (best)].  

  • The species is native to Korea, Mongolia, Russia, and parts of northern China.  ‘Cornell Pink’ received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

  • Oregon State Univ. campus:  south side of Cordley Hall

Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flowering branches

    flowering branches

  • flowers

    flowers