The renowned Bodnant Garden in the picturesque Conwy Valley is currently witnessing the breathtaking bloom of Rhododendron ‘Penjerrick’ along the recently rejuvenated Penjerrick Walk. This exquisite floral gem, boasting large scented blossoms in shades of white, cream, or pink, is a testament to the meticulous conservation efforts at this National Trust historic site.
Originating from Penjerrick Garden in Cornwall in 1923, Rhododendron ‘Penjerrick’ is a hybrid of R. campylocarpum Elatum Group and R. griffithianum. Revered for its beauty, Henry McLaren famously hailed it as ‘the most lovely of all rhododendrons’ and adorned Bodnant Garden with a grove along a path on Furnace Hill.
Despite its allure, propagating Rhododendron ‘Penjerrick’ has long been a challenge. With smooth bark and resistance to conventional propagation methods like cuttings, it remained a rare sight in UK gardens. As existing plants dwindled, replenishing them became increasingly difficult.
In a remarkable conservation effort, in 2008, flower buds were harvested from a specimen near the Lily Terrace at Bodnant Garden and sent to Duchy College laboratories in Cornwall for micropropagation. After five years of meticulous care in controlled conditions, the young plants were nurtured at Bodnant Garden Nursery before finding their new home on Furnace Hill in 2015.
Now, after years of patient cultivation, these plants are finally gracing Bodnant’s landscape with their resplendent blooms. The Penjerrick Walk on Furnace Hill, as well as the original specimen near the Lily Terrace, are ablaze with the vibrant colors of Rhododendron ‘Penjerrick,’ a testament to the enduring legacy of conservation and horticultural dedication at Bodnant Garden.
