Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden: visit part two

As a member of the Hardy Fern Foundation I receive complementary admission to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG). If I lived closer I would take frequent advantage of this benefit, but since I'm 150 miles away it doesn't happen very often...

It's also rare I'm somewhere early enough to enjoy a freshly raked path (or it's equivalent).

Someone did a splendid job of placing this rhododendron, the coppery backside is what you see as you walk the entry path.

Here's the front, Rhododendron insigne.

Now we're at the entrance proper. I didn't take the time to check out the bonsai this visit, instead I spent several hours in the RSBG.

A closer look at the log shown above.

Inside the garden this planter was one of the first things that caught my eye. Sadly it's fabulousness doesn't show up well in a photo.

The lower plant was Rhododendron 'Ever Red'

And the tall guy was none other than Pseudopanax ferox, with it's striking juvenile leaves.

Moving on I had to stop and photograph this Rhododendron yuefengense. It was one of several I saw with a bright petiole and thick, rounded leaves.

If you saw Friday's post then you might appreciate this view Rutherford Conservatory. Next time I'm heading there first and exiting out the back of the building and into the garden.

Plantings outside the conservatory...

Similar, but different than, the containers I shared in Friday's post.

Perhaps Astrolepis sinuata (wavy cloak fern)?

Walking on... this combo was striking in person. On the right is Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta, a large-leaved magnolia.

On the left, Rhododendron 'Cinnamon Bear'.

I think these cone-like fruits are called follicles—but I'll never remember that and always end up calling them cones—and I thought they were from Magnolia obovata, but looking up that plant's fruit online the shape doesn't look right.