Article Copied from the American Rhododendron Society Blog

Print date: 3/28/2024

Rhododendron 'Naselle'

8 June 2020 @ 10:12 | Posted by Maria Stewart

Imagine corollas of rose-pink with yellow centers and orange spots formed into large trusses on a nicely rounded rhododendron. This is 'Naselle,' which is named after both a town and a river in the state of Washington. By the way, the word Naselle was derived from a Chinookan tribe named Nisal.

The cross was hybridized by Jim Elliot in 1987. The Award of Excellence was given to 'Naselle' in 1992.

Description of 'Naselle': The new leaves are pale maroon. When they mature, the leaves are medium green and elliptic. Each large truss holds up to 15 beautiful corollas of rose-pink with yellow centers and orange spots, and it has been described as one of the most striking of the 'Lem's Cameo' hybrids. This hybrid is well-branched and looks rounded in shape. It will grow into a four foot high by four feet (1.2 x 1.2 m) wide plant in ten years, and can tolerate temperatures to 0 to -5°F (-18 to -21°C). With respect to its optimal placement in a garden, it does well with filtered sunlight, but enough sunlight to produce those wonderful blooms.