古稱「躑躅」，是杜鵑花在中國最早的稱號，因為羊誤食有毒的花葉會有喝醉酒躑躅不前的樣子而得名。原種生長在青康藏高原海拔2,000公尺到4,500公尺的山區，由歐洲培育出豐富的花色，花朵鐘狀，有紫紅色系與白、黃等顏色。花期3到5月，盛開時花團錦簇有如花球，葉片大且光滑厚硬，是與一般杜鵑花較大的差別。

"Zhi-zhu”, meaning hesitation, is the earliest name of rhododendron in China, which was inspired from the appearance a sheep becomes drunk and staggering after accidentally eating the poisonous plant. It is also known as bog-rosemary in horticulture. The original species grows in mountains at an altitude of 2,000 to 4,500 meters on the Qingkang Tibetan Plateau. Many variegated cultivars have been developed in Europe, such as those with bell-shaped flowers, variegated in purple-red, white and yellow colors. Flowering period from March to May, when they fully bloom, many flowers clustered like ball bouquet. The large, smooth, thick and hard leaves, make this plant very distinctive from the common azaleas.

杜鵑屬常綠灌木或喬木，園藝雜交種。樹冠豐滿，株型緊湊。橢圓形或披針形葉互生，常密集著生於枝條頂端，革質有光澤；葉背顏色稍淺，密被茸毛。總狀繖形花序頂生，常數朵聚生於枝梢；花朵鐘狀，單瓣或重瓣；花色豐富，有紫紅、紅、粉紅、橙紅、桃紅、紫藍、白、黃等多種顏色。花期3 ~5月。

A Rhododendron hybrid cultivar, evergreen shrub or tree, the crown is dense and compact. Leaves oval or lanceolate, alternate, often densely grown at branch tips, leathery and glossy; leaf underside slightly lighter in color and densely fluffy. Racemes umbrella-shaped inflorescences terminal, often a handful clustered at branch tips; flowers with single or double petals; rich in colors ranging from fuchsia, red, pink, orange red, peach, purple blue, white, and yellow. Flowering from March to May.

原產溫帶或亞熱帶高山地區，喜涼爽濕潤的全日照或半日照環境。耐寒性強，生長適溫為15~25℃，超過30℃時植株生長受到抑制，超過35℃時植株將遭受不同程度的熱害。不耐早，忌溽暑和烈日暴曬。忌介質積水，喜好疏鬆透氣、腐植質豐富、排水良好的微酸性砂質土壤。以扦插繁殖為主。

The plant is native to temperate or subtropical alpine regions, and grows well in cool, humid, full sun or partial sun environment. This winter-hardy plant grows best between temperature 15-25℃; the heat will inhibit the growth if over 30℃, and cause heat damage if over 35℃. The plant is not drought-tolerant, avoid heat, direct sun exposure and water logging in the medium because the plant prefers loose, breathable, humusy, well-drained and slightly acidic sandy soil. Mainly propagated by cutting.

花朵華美，常進口作為年節盆花。因耐熱性不佳，平地種植困難。高冷地可作庭園焦點植物或綠籬。

Flowers showy, the plants are imported as potted floral ornamentals during year-end holidays. Lowland cultivation is very challenging because the plant doesn’t respond well to heat. Suitable for the use as a featured plant in garden or as hedge in alpine areas.