John mentioned that rhododendrons are a particularly diverse genus and there is a species to suit most environments. They don’t like particularly hot weather but have survived the drought. They are used to being in snow over winter so are hardier than thought. The Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda were started by a group of enthusiasts around 50 years ago and the Society formed at the same time. The gardens are around 100 acres, one of the largest in Victoria, with around 30 000 plants, now maintained by Parks Victoria, assisted by members of the Society.The rainfall in Olinda is much higher than Melbourne and has soil that suits them. Some varieties that flourish here cannot grow in Europe except in glasshouses. Australians can collect and breed rhododendrons to conserve the species.The gardens contain a large glasshouse which is not accessible to the public, which the society are stocking with Vireya rhododendrons and will display the variety of the genus. They range from being very tiny to huge. The glasshouse needs to be locked to prevent theft and loss of information about the plants. Azaleas are part of the genus and look stunning in spring. Dry conditions mean that the flowers don’t spoil; hot northerly winds also damage them.Deciduous varieties such as molls originate in China and Japan. John bought his first mollis azalea at age 15 and it still flourishes in his parents’ garden in Glenroy.They can be susceptible to lace bug which can be controlled with Confidor and they are breeding varieties resistant to the bug.They come in reds, pinks, blues, white and yellows and all sorts of sizes from the tree rhododendrons to the miniatures. John encountered huge ones in Nepal, which changed colour the higher above sea level.The flowers come in trusses and the tiny ones can be difficult to grow in Melbourne as they originate in alpine areas.Two rhododendrons are native to Australia which were discovered by Baron Von Mueller growing on top of the highest peaks in Queensland, near Cairns.
