Moyle's Marvel Malaysian Rhododendron

The buds are a deep, dark purple that gradually open to reveal a yellowish white interior. Within 3 to 4 days after opening, the lobes develop a delicate edging of moderate to light pink, which slowly spreads and intensifies in color as the flower ages. The filaments are white, while the anthers show a greenish-brown hue, and the stigma presents a reddish-brown tone.

The narrowly funnel-shaped flowers appear in clusters of 5 to 6, arranged in flat trusses, each flower measuring about 2 inches (50mm) wide with five distinct, flat-edged lobes. This shrub reaches approximately 24 inches (0.6 meters) in height over the course of five years, exhibiting an open and airy growth habit.

Flowering typically occurs during the winter, spring, and summer months, with each flowering period lasting around two months. The leaves are elliptic in shape and about 3.5 inches (90mm) long, complementing the overall appearance of the plant.

Moyle's Marvel thrives best in filtered sunlight and requires excellent drainage, ideally planted in bark or clean cinder to replicate its natural cloud forest environment. It is important to protect the plant from frost and to maintain consistent moisture using clean water, while avoiding overwatering. Care should also be taken not to bury the base of the shrub to ensure its health and longevity.

This plant is a Lepidote rhododendron, derived from a complex hybrid: {[(macgregoriae x laetum) x saxifragoides], F2} crossed with itself, which contributes to its unique characteristics and resilient growth habit.