Short Rhododendron. The flowers are tubular funnel or bell shaped and often fragrant. Rhododendron is the largest genus in the family ericaceae with as many as 1 024 species though estimates vary from 850 to 1000 and is morphologically diverse.
Consequently the taxonomy has been historically complex. They were introduced to the european alps and thus the name alpine rose rhododendron histrum came into being the first species of rhododendrons. The leaves of the smaller azalea are usually pointed and narrow.
The leaves of the rhododendron are generally large and leathery.
In spring it s covered with yellow flowers larger than you d expect for a 2 foot maximum mound shaped rhododendron. Or more 6 m. In 10 years 40 cm to giant tree like specimens as tall as 20 ft. Hybrids of rhododendron indicium and rhododendron tamurae were being cultivated in japan in the 17 th century.