This shrub to small tree has a solitary or multiple greyish trunks with spreading branches that form a compact rounded crown.  It has glossy dark green leathery oval leaves and the pink to purplish saucer-shaped flowers appear singularly during mid-spring.

Hardiness zones 6 to 9 

Rhododendron ovatum is naturally found in eastern China growing in woodlands and thickets at an altitude from 300 m (1,000 ft) to 1600 m (4,800 ft). 

It prefers an open a sunny to partially shaded protected position and grows in well-drained organic rich moist soils that are tending acidic with a pH 4.5-5.5 and tolerates frost but is drought tender. 

The Oval-leaved Azalea is grown for its flowers and bushy habit. It is planted in parks and gardens as a specimen or along borders and is used in botanical collections. It is suitable for low-mountainous regions and establishes in 3-4 years and is moderately long-lived. ID 3695

Rhododendron (ro-do-DEN-dron) ovatum (oh-VAH-tum)

'Rhododendron': from Greek rhodon + dendron - rose tree

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