Types of Rhododendrons

The Exbury Gardens in the New Forest in Hampshire, England, contain 200 acres of rhododendron. The garden is founded on the work of grower Lionel de Rothschild, who created as many as 1,200 crosses of rhododendrons and azaleas. Many of the cultivated rhododendrons planted today are derived from plants found in very specific parts of the world: the foothills of the Himalayas, western China, Burma and northern India. Gardeners with rhododendrons welcome the woodsy bush with its large flowers and dark branches in the early springtime.

Diversity
Rhododendrons vary so widely that while some act as ground cover, others are full trees of heights up to 100 feet. Most familiar are the bush varieties, which grow to 6 or 8 feet in height. Leaves range from less than an inch to giants more than 3 feet long. Shapes vary as well. You can find nearly round bushes, or ones that are elliptical or conical, or even those that seem to spread in no distinct shape. The showy flowers can be white, shades of pink and purple, an array of reds, or yellows and oranges.

Natural Species
There are more than 850 different natural species in the Rhododendron family. They are native to North America, Europe and Asia. Some wild natives are found in Australia. Asian native rhododendrons outnumber all others. Several habitats ranging from tropical to alpine are friendly to natural species. They can be found at sea level and up to nearly 20,000 feet.

Hybrids
Hybridizing rhododendron is an activity enjoyed by many. The American Rhododendron Society reports on new hybrids and is a membership organization where growers exhibit their hybrids. Sometimes the plants are hand-pollinated. There are tens of thousands of hybrids, including the ones developed for nurseries. When a new rhododendron becomes available, it has been developed to have a characteristic desirable to growers. It might be more frost-hardy, have deeper-colored blossoms or be more disease-resistant.

Azaleas
Azaleas are also rhododendrons. They belong to genus Rhododendron. Many hybrids are crosses between rhododendron and azaleas. Azaleas tolerate heat well. They can grow to much larger sizes in warm climates than in northern climates. Some azaleas are evergreen, and some are deciduous. These flowers display no fewer colors than rhododendron, and some people find them to be much brighter.

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Meaning of the Rhododendron

Alluding to its floral colors, "rhododendron" means rose or red tree. Blooming in white and beautiful shades of pink, red, purple, orange and yellow, the bell-shaped rhododendron flowers belie what grows beneath---leaves proven to be poisonous.

Symbolism
The rhododendron flower symbolizes caution and danger. According to LivingArtsOriginals.com, the significance of these floral meanings comes from the fact that the rhododendron plant contains toxins, which if ingested are harmful to humans and animals.

Origin
Indigenous to diverse regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with abundant growth in South Asia's Himalayas, the rhododendron is Nepal's national flower and, in India, Sakkim's state flower.

Domestic Emblem
The rhododendron is the floral emblem of West Virginia and Washington state.

Classification
Over 1,000 species of rhododendrons are in existence. Along with the family name, Ericaceae, certain rhododendron flowers contain scientific names with specific meanings. These include the rhododendron alabamense, which translates to Alabama azalea, and rhododendron calendulaceum, meaning flame azalea. Rhododendrons and azaleas belong to the same floral family.

Popularity
Although signifying a warning to beware, the shrub encompassing the rhododendron flower remains America's most popular along with that of the rose, according to Ohio State University.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5931911_floral-meaning-rhododendron.html