Spinuliferum is a most unusual rhododendron which doesn’t even look like one although it is a species which occurs naturally in the wild, in this case the highlands of Yunnan in China. Its blooms are curious clusters of stamens, protruding from narrow tubular flowers in brick red and apparently full of nectar. Its common name is the Firecracker Rhododendron and it does resemble an old fashioned Double Happy. We like it because it flowers for a very long time in late winter, it has a light almost floating look to a mature plant and it stays healthy in our climate. In fact it is right at home here and might as well be a native plant. Above all, it feeds the waxeyes and tuis and its branches can almost dance with the birds flitting through it.