Charles Loomis Rhododendron. This outstanding heat-tolerant cultivar of an evergreen Rhododendron is a hybrid between Rhododendron 'Roseum' x R. hyperythrum. The latter being a Japanese species whose flowers are pale pink with a red throat. Virginia Tech reports, "This Japanese species has proved to be heat and cold tolerant and resistant to drought, disease, and pests and is already proving to be a prize of a parent." This cross was performed by Dr. John Thornton of Franklinton, Louisiana. 'Charles Loomis' is quite pink in bud, but opens to white. My parent plant was shared with me by Maarten van der Geissen of Semmes, AL. We have it planted under an overstory of pines in a deep sandy soil, and it has performed magnificently in our mid zone 8 heat. Every landscaper who comes by and sees it in full flower begs me to sell it to them. We have gown these in 4 quart containers and are well branched with many having set flower buds in their first year.
Zones 4-9
