Vibrant and rare Rhododendrons signal spectacular spring at Wakehurst

As spring unfolds, Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is bursting with colourful blooms, as sweeping drifts of rhododendrons put on their annual display.  

From wooded slopes across Westwood Valley, to the Himalayan Glade, Asian Heath Garden and Water Gardens. These early blooms create one of the most anticipated seasonal highlights of the year, for visitors, horticulturalists and plant enthusiasts. Peak flowering this year is anticipated to be mid-March to the end of May, with some species coming into bloom earlier than usual. 

Visitors to Wakehurst this spring will not only enjoy a spectacular display of colour, they will also witness conservation horticulture in action. With around 400 different species and varieties of rhododendron native to, the Himalayas, China, Japan, and North America, the garden’s renowned rhododendron collection stands as a celebration of heritage, a scientific resource, and an ongoing commitment to safeguarding plant diversity for future generations. 

Wakehurst is home to a world class rhododendron collection: together with Kew Gardens, it is the second most significant conservation collection held by any botanic garden worldwide and is one of the UK’s largest living collections outside Scotland. It features around 90 rare and endangered species, such as Rhododendron griersonianum and R. hemsleyanum, both of which are considered critically endangered in the wild. Many of the specimens across the landscape are historically important as their origin in the UK can be traced back to the early 20^th century-the oldest rhododendrons in Wakehurst’s collections are more than 100 years-old. 

Gerald Loder, 1^st Baron Wakehurst, who purchased Wakehurst in 1903, transformed the estate into one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in England through his lifelong passion for horticulture and conservation. During his time developing the gardens, he became an avid collector and cultivator of rhododendrons, sourcing plants and seeds from various parts of the world, particularly the Himalayas and Asia - regions rich in rhododendron diversity.  

Wakehurst’s climate - mild, wet, and sheltered - creates ideal growing conditions for a range of rhododendrons, while the backdrop of dramatic woodland settings showcases the rich diversity of older plants to advantage. These plants are also valuable as a botanical resource representing rare species, heritage introductions and wild-collected material, essential for Wakehurst’s programme of global plant conservation and scientific research. 

To conserve this internationally important living collection, Wakehurst has launched an ambitious Rhododendron Conservation project, led by Jo Wenham, Curation Manager, and Olivia Steed-Mundin, Botanist. 

Olivia Steed-Mundin, Botanist at Wakehurst, says: “At the moment, our Nursery Team are propagating new plants from the most important existing specimens, to ensure long-term succession and preserve the collection’s exceptional diversity and conservation value. Alongside this project, I am sifting through our collections to verify the existing Rhododendron species and varieties we have, to ensure they are correctly identified and labelled.  This will help strengthen the collection’s future value for conservation, research, education and public engagement.” 

Wakehurst’s Rhododendron verification work is vital because accurate identification and curation is key to maintaining high-value botanical collections.  In addition, through this project, Wakehurst’s horticulturalists have been able to rediscover some of the site’s most important species for conservation.These plants have now been propagated, not only to increase numbers within Wakehurst’s collections, but with a view to sharing specimens with other botanical collections across the UK, to help safeguard this important species.  

Prior to the rhododendrons being planted out, Wakehurst’s botanists complete a survey to assess the suitability of planting locations based on the soil composition, light levels and the health of existing rhododendrons in the area. They are also developing a planting methodology for Wakehurst’s horticultural team to follow, that will help the rhododendrons establish themselves and thrive for future generations to enjoy.  

While celebrating its exceptional rhododendron collections, Wakehurst is also taking decisive action to remove non-native species, Rhododendron ponticum, from the landscape. Once widely planted, this invasive species forms dense thickets that outcompete native flora and reduce biodiversity. Removal of this shrub is an essential step towards restoring habitats and supporting both native species and curated botanical collections. 

Russell Croft, Arboretum Manager, says: “Wakehurst’s rhododendrons are widely considered to be one of the most important hardy collections in Europe, but this collection still needs constant effort from my team and I, to preserve and protect its growth and health. We conserve our unique Rhododendron collections by carrying out regular plant health checks, while looking for locations where new plantings can thrive. This means clearing areas of the garden, to create an environment that supports the collections. Because certain species require dappled shade, while others tolerate full sun, the perfect location for growing isn’t always available. In areas where soil conditions are ideal, we manage canopy cover to provide better growing conditions.” 

The spring flowering season at Wakehurst offers an immersive experience that invites visitors to slow down, observe seasonal change and deepen their connection with the natural world. Walking among Wakehurst’s vibrant rhododendrons provides a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation, as well as the beauty and complexity of global plant diversity. 

April is Wakehurst’s most colourful month, with Irises unfurling a sprinkle of blue and purple in late May to early June, in the Water Gardens. Meanwhile in the Iris dell, Rhododendron ‘Hatsugiri’ is an unmissable sight, putting on a bright pink display in late April, in the water gardens. From May, Wakehurst’s landscape is tinted with contrasting colour provided by beds full of Japanese Primrose (Candelabra Primula) in the Water Gardens, and visitors can catch the last of the bluebells’ fleeting beauty. May also marks the transition to summer, as meadows begin to take centre stage for the new season. 

ENDS