Learn all about the plants commonly known as Vireya Rhododendrons, or more simply Vireyas.

Numbering over 300 species, vireyas can be found growing across much of S.E. Asia, principally in New Guinea, Borneo, Sulawesi, Sumatra and the Philippines. Vireyas mostly grow in the cool mountainous areas in these regions, either as epiphytes high in the tall trees of the cloud forest, or in more open ground in shrubberies.

Web content previously hosted at the vireya.net website has been transferred to the rhododendron.org website, which is owned and maintained by the American Rhododendron Society.

The ARS acknowledges the contributions of Chris Callard who initiated and for several decades maintained the vireya.net website.

Given their basic requirements of a frost-free growing environment and a sharply draining soil, vireyas will reward the grower with regular displays of exotic, often scented, blooms in a range of vibrant colours, many having distinctive foliage with an attractive scaly covering.

The beauty of the vireya has long attracted the attention of hybridizers who have further developed the range of flower and leaf forms and many excellent cultivars have been named as a result of their work.

Suggestions, additions, questions and comments should be directed to the ARS webmaster.