Rhododendron yakushimanum
Rhododendron yakushimanum is a species uniquely native to the island of Yakushima in Japan. It is one of my favorite rhododendrons and they are starting to bloom now. They have been hybridized to produce several varieties. Altogether, I have nine of them. Many have a flower that begins a deep magenta pink, gradually becoming white as it opens. Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica) , another popular garden shrub in the Pacific Northwest, is also native to Yakushima Island. Nicknamed "Yaks," they have a number of desirable characteristics. They tend to be a smaller scale shrub. I have some approaching 20 years in the garden that are still under a meter tall. They are reliable and profuse bloomers, not fussy about weather or soil conditions. The only care they need is removal of the spent flowers. In my yard, they seem to be resistant to root weevil damage. This makes them good candidates for a pesticide-free garden. Once established, they are surprisingly