This upright shrub has spreading woody branches that form a compact rounded habit. It has glossy dark green elliptical leaves and the rose-pink, funnel-shape flowers appear in a cluster during early summer.

Hardiness zones 6 to 9 

Rhododendron ferrugineum is naturally found in central Europe growing in the Pyrenees, Jura and the northern Apennines mountains to an altitude of 1700 m (4,400 ft),  just above the tree line in meadows. 

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well drained fertile moist soils that are tending acidic and is frost tolerant but drought tender. 

Alpine Rose is grown for as flowers and compact habit. It is planted in small or alpine gardens along borders or in rockeries for spring colour. It is suitable for mountainous regions establishing in 3 to 4 years and is moderately long lived. The shrub is also grown in large pots or tubs and is available in several flower colours. ID 3224

Rhododendron (ro-do-DEN-dron) ferrugineum (feh-ROO-jin-AY-um)

Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Bilberries, Blueberries,Cranberies, Heathers, Heaths, Rhododendrons, Wintergreens