The original reticulata varieties came from temple gardens in China, where they have been tended and revered for centuries. They are typically tall upright shrubs with bold, pointed foliage and very large richly coloured flowers.
Unfortunately they are not seen at their best in the open in SE England, but they have been used to breed a number of hybrids which are very garden-worthy and hardy.capable of producing rich colours and magnificent flowers.
The largest do best when sheltered from the coldest winds by a fence, shrubbery or wall.