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T17. Rhododendron 'Kalinka'
Rhododendron (cultivar)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–7
Full sun–partial shade
Moist soil
3–6 feet tall
A favorite of Rare Find Nursery founder and rhododendron expert Hank Schanen, 'Kalinka' is a hybrid of the famous Rhododendron yakushimanum from Yakushima, Japan. Handsome and compact like its relative, 'Kalinka' bears up to 16 pale rosy flowers on each conical truss. The shrub is indeed a cornucopia of gentle color: In addition to the pink flowers, it has dark green, elliptical leaves 3 to 4 inches long with dark brown indumentum (soft, fuzzy leaf coating). Small enough for container planting, 'Kalinka', like all rhodies, prefers acidic soil and partial shade.