In the wild species of dwarf Rhododendron cover huge areas of moorland and mountainside in western China and the Himalaya. In the garden we make do with a few plants, but their range of colour (mainly pinks and purples, but including white, yellow and red) and their reliable flower power make them invaluable for sites that are not too dry or (with some exceptions) too alkaline.

Rhododendron williamsianum has lovely ovate-rounded leaves, which are bronze when young, turning to bright green when mature. It produces loose trusses containing 2 or 3 bell-shaped, pink (sometimes white) flowers. It does best in full sun, where it will maintain its neat dome shaped habit.