Rhododendron smirnowii

Rhododendron smirnowii, the Smirnow rhododendron, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to northeast Turkey and the western Transcaucasus.^[1] In its native habitat it is found up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft) in elevation, and in cultivation is hardy to USDA zone 5 with some protection.^[2] Its cultivar 'Vodka' gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Merit in 1991.^[3]

Rhododendron smirnowii
Close-up of flowers
Habit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species:	R. smirnowii
Binomial name
Rhododendron smirnowii Trautv. ex Regel