It seems that true Ungern’s rhododendron is not cultivated anywhere in Scandinavia. It is winter tender and also has a reputation for being otherwise difficult to grow; there is a saying that a true R. ungernii is recognisable by being dead. Mustila obtained some R. ungernii plants from Metla (Suomi Forest Research Centre) in the 1970s, and all the true species died quickly. The only surviving plant was a hybrid. It is still alive, growing at the foot of Serbian spruce near Kenkäkallio (Shoe Rock), but unfortunately has never flowered.