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King Size (brachycarpum x macabeanum) x macabeanum
King Size is a rhododendron variety from the new
Green Giants series, known for its enormous leaves. It was bred in Sweden by Bengt Karlsson. This variety is the result of crossing the highly frost-hardy species Rhododendron brachycarpum with the large-leaved but less cold-tolerant Rhododendron macabeanum.
King Size is distinguished by its spectacular, oversized foliage—leaves can reach up to 30 cm in length and 13 cm in width, with the average size being around 20 cm by 10 cm. The leaves are dark green, extremely glossy, with characteristic ribbing and a slight white coating (indumentum).
Laboratory tests have shown that the plant can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°C without damage. In the ground, it has successfully survived winters with temperatures down to -18°C.
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Queen Size (brachycarpum x macabeanum)
Queen Size is a rhododendron variety from the new Green Giants series, renowned for its exceptionally large foliage. It was bred in Sweden by Bengt Karlsson. This variety is a hybrid of the highly frost-resistant species Rhododendron brachycarpum and Rhododendron macabeanum, a species known for its massive leaves but lower cold tolerance.
Queen Size is notable for its spectacular leaves, reaching up to 25 cm in length and 10–11 cm in width, with the average size around 20 × 9 cm. The leaves are dark green, very glossy, with prominent ribbing and a slight white coating (indumentum).
Laboratory frost resistance tests have confirmed that it can withstand temperatures as low as -22°C without damage. In outdoor conditions, it has so far survived winters down to -18°C.
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Cinnamon Princess (campanulatum x rex)
Cinnamon Princess is a rhododendron variety from the new Green Giants series, known for its exceptionally large leaves. It was bred in Sweden by Bengt Karlsson. This variety is a hybrid of Rhododendron campanulatum, which has large, oval leaves and good frost resistance, and Rhododendron rex, a species with enormous leaves but low cold tolerance.
Cinnamon Princess features spectacular foliage, with leaves reaching up to 28 cm in length and 10–11 cm in width. The average leaf measures about 20 × 9 cm. The leaves are dark green, very glossy, and have distinct ribbing. The underside of the leaves is cinnamon-colored, adding a unique ornamental touch.
Laboratory tests show that the plant tolerates temperatures down to -20°C without damage. In open ground, it has so far survived winters with temperatures as low as -18°C.
The flowers are bell-shaped, large, light pink with dark brown markings inside. Flowering is not abundant and may not occur every year. However, this variety is exceptionally attractive due to its spectacular foliage.
The shrubs are vigorous and grow strongly. It is estimated that after 10 years, they can reach up to 2.2 meters in both height and width.
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Bengt's Fortuna (fortunei x ungernii) x hemsleyanum
Fortuna is a rhododendron variety from the new Green Giants series, renowned for its enormous foliage. It was developed in Sweden by breeder Bengt Karlsson. This variety is the result of crossing three large-leaved rhododendron species.
Fortuna is distinguished by its spectacular, oversized leaves—up to 25 cm long and 10 cm wide, with the average size being around 20 × 9 cm. The leaves are light green and matte. Flower buds and leaf petioles feature an intense purple coloration, adding ornamental interest even outside the flowering season.
Laboratory tests have shown that the plant can tolerate temperatures as low as -22°C without damage. In open ground, it has so far successfully survived winters down to -18°C.
The flowers are large, creamy in color, and lightly fragrant.
The shrubs are vigorous and grow very strongly. After 10 years, they are estimated to reach up to 2.5 meters in both height and width.
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Brava Diva (bureavii x pachysanthum) x (brachycarpum x macabeanum)
Brava Diva is the trade name for seedlings of the hybrid (Rhododendron bureavii × pachysanthum) × (brachycarpum × macabeanum), belonging to the broader group of exceptional rhododendrons known as Rhodo Elita. This elite group includes unique rhododendrons distinguished by extraordinary traits, often featuring attractive leaf indumentum (hairy coating).
Brava Diva shrubs are highly variable due to their complex parentage, which combines four species with vastly different characteristics. Their lineage includes species known for strong indumentum (bureavii and pachysanthum), high frost resistance (brachycarpum), and extremely large leaves (macabeanum).
Plants within the
Brava Diva group may display a range of indumentum colors—from creamy white through silver to copper. The intensity of the indumentum also varies from plant to plant, as does their growth vigor, leaf shape, and leaf size.
Brava Diva rhododendrons are true collector's items.
Laboratory frost resistance tests show that these plants can tolerate temperatures as low as -22°C without damage. In open ground, they have successfully overwintered down to -18°C.
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