Although the rhododendrons have been prized by some literati, the number of works, and their quality, falls far short of those devoted to the peony and narcissus, which are accorded the status of spirits.
中文系教授由文學出發，認為花要豔而清香才是第一流，兩條件缺一不可，杜鵑花聞來無味，又無水仙飄飄欲仙之姿，隨種隨長，雖有文人歌詠，作品數量、質地遠遠不如列入花神的牡丹、水仙。