Rhododendron lapponicum

Rhododendron lapponicum, the Lapland rosebay,^[1] is a dwarf rhododendron species found in subarctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia, where it grows at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,900 m (6,200 ft). It is an evergreen prostrate shrub growing to 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in) in height, with leaves that are oblong-elliptic or ovate-elliptic to oblong-obovate, 0.4–1.5 by 0.2–0.5 cm in size. The flowers are reddish or purple.

Rhododendron lapponicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species:	R. lapponicum
Binomial name
Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb.
Synonyms
Azalea lapponica L. Rhododendron confertissimum Nakai Rhododendron lapponicum subsp. parvifolium (Adams) T. Yamaz. Rhododendron palustre Turcz. Rhododendron parviflorum F. Schmidt Rhododendron parvifolium Adams Rhododendron parvifolium subsp. confertissimum (Nakai) A.P. Khokhr.

Despite numerous attempts, this dwarf species has proved difficult to cultivate, possibly because it requires very cool, moist conditions and snow cover for part of the year.^[2]