Rhododendron

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 15:51

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Latin name: Rhododendron Family: Heather Categories: Ornamental trees and shrubs

Rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron) - an ornamental shrub or tree of the Heather family. The homeland of rhododendron is the countries of the Northern Hemisphere.

Characteristics of culture

Rhododendron is an evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub, less often a tree with simple, leathery leaves of various shapes and colors. The flowers are collected in corymbose or umbellate inflorescences, depending on the variety, they can be white, yellow, cream, golden yellow, lemon, pink, ruby, purple, red, lavender, blue, blue-violet and dark purple colors.

A distinctive feature of rhododendron inflorescences are long curved stamens, which give the plant a special appeal. The culture blooms in late April - early June, some varieties may re-bloom in the first or second decade of September. Flowering is short-lived, however, almost all shrubs retain their decorative effect throughout the gardening period. Currently, there are about 1300 species of rhododendron.

Common types

* Daurian rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron dahuricum) - the species is represented by deciduous strongly branching shrubs 1, 5-2 m high. The branches are directed upwards. Leaves are elliptical, reach 0.8-1.2 cm in width, 1.5-3.5 cm in length. The flowers are single, rarely double, the corolla is pink-lilac, about 4 cm in diameter. Flowering takes place at the end April - early May.

* Rhododendron tree (lat. Rhododendron arborescens) - the species is characterized by upright deciduous shrubs 2-3 m high. Leaves are ovoid or lanceolate, very thin, 4-9 cm long. Flowers are white with a pinkish tint, collected in inflorescences of 3-6 pieces … The tree rhododendron blooms in mid-June - early July.

* Yellow rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron luteum) - the species is represented by deciduous spreading shrubs up to 3 m high. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, reach 4-12 cm in length. The flowers have a pleasant and very strong aroma, collected in inflorescences of 7-12 pcs … Flowering occurs simultaneously with the opening of the leaves, usually at the end of May.

* Kamchatka rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron camtschaticum) - the species is characterized by creeping deciduous shrubs about 30 cm high. Casting is thin, rounded, 3-5 cm long. Flowers on long legs, flat, lilac-pink, collected in corymbose inflorescences. Kamchatka rhododendron blooms in June.

* Canadian rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron canadense) - the species is represented by deciduous branched shrubs with a height of 0.7-1 m. Leaves are oblong, elliptical, 2-5 cm long. Flowers are purple-violet, white or pink, collected in inflorescences of 3- 7 pcs. Flowering takes place in May before the leaves open.

* Rhododendron Fori (lat. Rhododendron fauriei) - the species is characterized by erect, highly branching, evergreen shrubs 2-3 m high. The leaves are oblong, lanceolate, reach 8-20 cm in length, 4-5 cm in width, covered with dense grayish felt. The flowers are creamy with a pale pink tint or green specks, or pure white, collected in inflorescences of 15-20 pcs. This species blooms in June.

* The largest rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron maximum) - the species is represented by branched evergreen shrubs 1-4 m high, and sometimes even 12 m. The leaves are oblong, ovate or lanceolate, 10-30 cm long, 4-7 cm wide. The flowers are white, light pink or purple-pink with orange or greenish specks, the inflorescences are 3-4 cm in diameter. Flowering takes place in late June - early July.

Growing conditions

Rhododendron is a shade-tolerant culture, prefers semi-shaded areas, does not tolerate abundant sunlight well. The soil for growing shrubs is desirable loose, well-drained, rich in humus, with a pH of 4-4, 5.

Negatively, rhododendron refers to areas with stagnant water and a high occurrence of groundwater, since excessive waterlogging can cause many fungal diseases. Most of the cultivars common on the territory of Russia are moderately hardy.

Reproduction and planting

Rhododendrons reproduce in several ways: by seeds, layering, dividing bushes, cuttings and grafting. Sowing of seeds is carried out at the end of February in wooden boxes filled with soil substrate. Crops are sprayed with water, covered with glass and placed in a warm place (the room temperature should be at least 18-20C). Depending on the species, seedlings appear 8-20 days after sowing. Seedlings dive in about 2-3 weeks. With the onset of heat, the pots of rhododendrons are periodically exposed to fresh air for hardening. Seedlings are planted in the ground not earlier than the first decade of June.

Growing a crop by cuttings is a complex and painstaking process, since rhododendrons are difficult to root plants. Shrubs are cut in the first half of July. The cuttings are subsequently treated with special stimulating preparations for accelerated root formation. Rhododendron seedlings are planted either in autumn or early spring. Planting material is obtained only from well-known nurseries.

Care

The main tasks of caring for rhododendrons are weeding and loosening of near-stem circles, regular watering and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. It is worth remembering that the culture has a negative attitude towards fertilizers containing lime. Mountain and dwarf varieties of rhododendrons accept feeding only in extreme cases and only with organic matter. Fertilizers are applied in early spring or early June; in the second half of summer, top dressing is not recommended, since this procedure can cause untimely growth of shoots and even their freezing in the winter season.

Sanitary pruning is carried out annually, damaged and dry branches are removed, and faded inflorescences are shaken off. Formative pruning is also needed by the culture, it is done immediately after flowering shrubs. In extreme heat and sunshine, rhododendrons should be sprayed; the water should be acidified with organic acids before processing. The soil in the near-trunk zone is mulched with peat or sawdust.

With the onset of cold weather, sensitive varieties of rhododendrons are covered with spruce branches or other covering material that allows air to pass through. In order not to damage the branches and buds located at their tips, before the plants are covered with insulation, special cone-shaped wooden frames are inserted into the soil.

Application

Rhododendron is a shrub with excellent decorative properties. He is able to embellish both group and tapeworm plantings. The culture goes well with coniferous plantings - pines, spruces, yews and thujas. Looks great against the background of parterre lawns, near the walls of buildings and residential buildings. Tall rhododendrons are suitable for creating hedges, undersized ones for rocky gardens. The main rule: you can not plant deciduous and evergreen species of rhododendrons nearby.