Rhododendron is an annual or perennial plant. Rhododendron - planting and caring for a beautiful plant

Plant rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron)- a genus of semi-deciduous, deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs of the Heather family, which, according to various sources, includes from eight hundred to one thousand three hundred species, including such popular azaleas in indoor floriculture, which received the nickname "indoor rhododendron". The word "rhododendron" consists of two roots: "rhodon", which means "rose", and "dendron" - a tree, which as a result forms the concept of "rose tree", or "tree with roses". Azaleas really do look like roses. In nature, rhododendrons are distributed mainly in the Northern Hemisphere - in South China, Japan, the Himalayas, North America and South-East Asia. Most often they are found in the coastal zone of rivers, seas and oceans, in the penumbra of undergrowth and on the northern slopes of mountains. Some rhododendrons are able to grow up to 30 cm in height, while other species are creeping shrubs. The flowers of plants of this genus vary in size, color, and shape. Suffice it to say that the smallest of them are literally tiny in size, and the largest reach a diameter of 20 cm. Garden rhododendron today has about 3000 forms, varieties and varieties.

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Planting and caring for rhododendron (in brief)

Landing: April to mid-May or September to November.
Bloom: in late April-early June for 2-3 weeks. Abundant flowering happens in a year.
Lighting: penumbra or shade.
The soil: well-drained, loose, rich in humus, acidic.
Watering: With slightly acidified water, the soil should be soaked to a depth of 20-30 cm. A sign that the time has come for watering is the loss of turgor by the leaves.
Pruning: minimal, in early spring, before the start of sap flow.
Top dressing: liquid organics (a solution of cow manure or hornmeal) or solutions of mineral fertilizers on pre-moistened soil from early spring to the end of July.
Reproduction: seeds, dividing the bush, grafting, cuttings and layering.
Pests: aphids, mealybugs, bed bugs, weevils, spider mites, scale insects, rhododendron flies, snails and slugs.
Diseases: chlorosis, rust, powdery mildew, leaf spot and cancer.

Read more about growing rhododendron below.

Rhododendron flower - description

Garden rhododendron is represented by shrubs with leaves of various sizes and shapes - annual, biennial and perennial, sessile or petiolate, alternate, entire or serrated, ovate or obovate. The rhododendron flower is popular all over the world due to the decorativeness of its foliage, but its main advantage is the magnificent flowers of white, pink, red, purple, lilac, collected in corymbs or brushes, resembling a chic bouquet. Depending on the variety and species, the shape of the flowers can be bell-shaped, funnel-shaped, wheel-shaped or tubular. In some species, the flowers emit a pleasant aroma. The fruit of the rhododendron is a multi-seeded, five-winged box with seeds up to 2 mm in size. root system rhododendron is compact, superficial, consisting of many fibrous roots, and it is precisely because of its superficial location that rhododendron transplantation is easy and does not cause much trouble to either the gardener or the plant. Rhododendron is an excellent early spring honey plant.

Planting a rhododendron

Where and when is the best time to plant a rhododendron

In the conditions of our climate, it makes sense to grow rhododendrons in the garden exclusively winter-hardy. Planting rhododendron in the ground is carried out from April to mid-May, and also from September to November. Actually, if necessary, this can be done at any time during the growing season, with the exception of the time when the rhododendron blooms, and within one to two weeks after flowering. It is better to plant rhododendron in the shade, on the north side of the building, in loose, well-drained acidic soil rich in humus. If ground water on your site lie at a depth of less than one meter, the rhododendron is planted on a raised bed. The neighbors of the rhododendron can be pine, oak, larch - trees with a deep root system. Tree species such as linden, chestnut, alder, maple, willow, elm or poplar will deprive the rhododendron of the necessary nutrition, since their roots will feed at the same depth as the roots of the rhododendron. If it is not possible to avoid such a neighborhood, you will have to protect the root system of the rhododendron by digging roofing material, slate or polyethylene into the ground. Good neighbors for rhododendron are garden trees - apple trees, pears.

How to plant a rhododendron

A carefully mixed mixture of 8 buckets of high-moor peat and 3.5 buckets of loam is poured into a planting pit with a diameter of about 60 cm and a depth of about 40 cm (loam can be replaced with two buckets of clay). The mixture at the bottom of the pit is carefully rammed, and then a hole is dug in it, corresponding to the size of the root ball of the seedling. Before planting, dip the rhododendron seedlings into water and keep them there until no more air bubbles come out. Then place the roots of the seedling in the hole, fill the hole to the top with the substrate, tamping it down so that there are no voids left. The root neck of the rhododendron should eventually be at the level of the surface of the site. Water the bush abundantly if you planted the rhododendron in dry soil so that the soil gets wet to a depth of 20 cm, and mulch trunk circle peat, oak leaves, moss or pine needles with a layer of 5-6 cm. If there are a lot of flower buds on the bush, it is better to remove some of them in order to direct forces to successful rooting, and not to the flowering of rhododendron. When planting alone in a spacious area, so that the wind does not loosen a newly planted plant, you need to stick a support, tilting it towards the direction of the most frequently blowing winds, and tie a seedling to it. As soon as the bush takes root, the support can be removed.

Rhododendron Care

Caring for a rhododendron includes the usual procedures: watering, spraying, weeding, top dressing, bush formation and disease and pest control, if necessary. It is impossible to loosen the soil around the rhododendron, and even more so to dig it up, because of the roots of the plant located too close to the surface. For the same reasons, weeds must be removed manually, without using a chopper. Rhododendron needs soil and atmospheric moisture more than other plants, especially during the formation of buds and flowering. Proper watering also affects the laying of flower buds next year. Watering is carried out with soft water - settled or rain. You can soften, and at the same time acidify the water for rhododendron, adding a few handfuls of high-moor peat to it a day before watering. The frequency of watering is determined by the state of the leaves: if they become dull and lose turgor, then they are thirsty. When moistened, the soil should get wet to a depth of 20-30 cm. However, it is very important, when watering the rhododendron, not to flood the roots, since the plant is sensitive to excess moisture in the roots, but behaves when waterlogged in exactly the same way as during drought - lowers and folds the leaves . So that the rhododendron does not mislead you, in dry and hot weather, try not to increase the amount of water when watering, spray the leaves of the rhododendron with soft water as often as possible.

pruning rhododendron

Pruning of rhododendrons should be minimal, since their bushes themselves form correct form. However, sometimes it is necessary to cut bushes that are too tall, remove frozen shoots, or rejuvenate an old rhododendron. How to prune an adult bush? Cut the shoots in early spring, before the start of sap flow. In those places where the thickness of the branches reaches 2-4 cm, the sections are treated with garden pitch. A month later, dormant buds awaken on the shoots, and the renewal process begins, which takes place throughout the year. Very old or heavily frozen bushes are cut at a height of 30-40 cm from the ground: in the first year, one half of the bush, the next year - the second.

Rhododendrons have one feature: in one year they bloom and bear fruit very abundantly, and the next year both flowering and fruiting of the rhododendron are much more modest. To get rid of such periodicity, you need to break out wilted inflorescences immediately after flowering, so that the rhododendron uses strength and nutrition to form flower buds for the next year.

Feeding rhododendron

It is necessary to fertilize even those rhododendrons that were planted this year, and the first top dressing is made in early spring, and the last - at the end of July, after flowering, when young shoots begin to grow. Rhododendrons prefer liquid top dressing from semi-rotted cow dung, horn meal. Manure is poured with water in a ratio of 1:15 and allowed to brew for several days, and only then is used as a fertilizer. Water the rhododendron before fertilizing. Since rhododendrons grow in acidic soils, so as not to disturb the reaction of the environment, it is preferable to use ammonium sulphate, superphosphate, nitrate, sulphate or potassium phosphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate in a very low concentration of 1.2: 1000 from mineral fertilizers, and the solution potash fertilizers may be even weaker. The optimal feeding regime involves the introduction of organic or mineral nitrogen-containing fertilizers in early spring at the rate of 50 g of ammonium sulphate and 50 g magnesium sulfate per 1 m², and after flowering, in early June, 40 g of ammonium sulfate and 20 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate are applied per 1 m² of land with rhododendrons. In July, only 20 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added per 1 m².

Pests and diseases of rhododendron

Of the pests, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, bugs, weevils, rhododendron flies, as well as snails and slugs, bother rhododendrons most of all. Gastropod mollusks are harvested by hand, and as a preventive measure, treatment of rhododendron with an eight percent solution of the fungicide TMTD, or Tiram, is used. Spider mites, rhododendron bugs, as well as weevils are destroyed by treatment with diazinon, and if the rhododendron is damaged by the weevil, it will also be necessary to treat it with an insecticide upper layer soil. The rest of the insects are exterminated with karbofos in accordance with the instructions for the drug.

Of the diseases, rhododendrons are most often pursued. fungal diseases- leaf spot, cancer, chlorosis, rust. They arise, as a rule, as a result of poor aeration of the roots. Spotting and rust are destroyed by drugs blue vitriol, in particular Bordeaux liquid. Chlorosis, from which the rhododendron turns yellow, requires the addition of iron chelate to the water for irrigation. As for cancer, it is necessary to remove diseased shoots or cut them to healthy tissue, in addition, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatments of rhododendron with Bordeaux liquid in early spring and late autumn.

Reproduction of rhododendron

Rhododendrons reproduce generatively (by seeds) and vegetatively - by dividing the bush, layering, cuttings and grafting. The easiest way to propagate rhododendrons is by layering, and we will talk about this method, as well as how to properly sow seeds and carry out cuttings. Rhododendron seeds are sown in bowls with well-moistened heather or peat soil mixed with sand at a rate of 3: 1, the seeds are sprinkled with washed sand on top, the bowls are covered with glass and placed in a bright place for germination. Care of crops consists in moistening the substrate as needed, daily ventilation and removal of condensate from the glass. Sprouts usually appear in a month, and when a pair of leaves appears at the seedlings, they are seated more freely according to the 2x3 cm scheme, deepening into the soil along the cotyledon to form the root system of the seedlings. The first year the seedlings are kept in a cool greenhouse, and the next year they are planted in open ground on training beds with garden soil mixed with sand and peat. Seedlings grow very slowly and bloom only for 6-8 years.

Propagating rhododendron cuttings is not much easier. Semi-lignified shoots are suitable for this, from which cuttings 5-8 cm long are cut. lower leaves they are removed from the cuttings, and the lower sections are kept for 12-16 hours in a solution of a root growth stimulator, for example, in heteroauxin. Then the cuttings are placed in a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1 and covered with a transparent dome. Cuttings take root for a long time and hard: deciduous species for a month and a half, and evergreen species for 3-4.5 months. They grow cuttings in boxes with a mixture of peat and pine needles in a ratio of 2: 1, for the winter they are taken out to a cool, bright room, where the temperature is kept within 8-12 ºC, and in the spring they are added dropwise in the garden right in the boxes and grow for another year or two until transfers to permanent place.

Dropping layering is the easiest and natural way breeding rhododendron. In the spring, a young, flexible shoot from a bush growing at the very bottom is bent down and placed in a pre-made groove at least 15 cm deep, with the middle part of the shoot pinned in the groove, and garden soil mixed with peat is poured on top of it. The tip of the shoot remains on the surface and is tied to a peg inserted vertically. Throughout the season, the cuttings are moistened along with the bush, and in the fall or next spring, the rooted cuttings are separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place. It is best to propagate deciduous rhododendron in this way.

Rhododendron after flowering

Rhododendron in autumn

If the autumn turns out to be dry, the rhododendron must be watered abundantly - 10-12 liters for each bush. If autumn, as usual, with rains, then you will not have to water the rhododendrons. By November, each bush is insulated in the root zone, laying a layer of peat around the trunk circle.

Rhododendron in winter

If you live in the middle lane, with the first frosts, the rhododendron bushes need to be covered with burlap, after putting spruce and pine branches between the branches and slightly pulling the bush with twine. Remove the bags on a cloudy day in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. In warmer areas, rhododendrons overwinter without shelter.

Types and varieties of rhododendrons

You can talk about the types of rhododendron endlessly, because there are a lot of them. We will give a description of those that are grown in culture, and also introduce you to the most popular garden varieties of rhododendrons.

Daurian rhododendron (Rhododendron dahuricum)

grows naturally in Primorsky Krai, Northeast China, Korea, Eastern Siberia and Northern Mongolia, preferring coniferous forests and rocks. It is an evergreen medium-sized strongly branched shrub from two to four meters high with a gray bark and branches directed upwards. Its shoots are thin, reddish-brown in color, pubescent towards the ends with a short pile. Small leathery leaves up to three centimeters long on the upper side of the plate are smooth, scaly below - light green in youth, darker in maturity, and either brown or red-green in autumn. Not all leaves fall with the onset of winter, many of them stay on the branches all winter. Abundant flowering of Daurian rhododendron, lasting about three weeks, occurs before the leaves bloom with funnel-shaped large flowers of a purple-pink hue, reaching 4 cm in diameter. Sometimes in the fall, the Daurian rhododendron blooms again. This species is very winter-hardy, easily propagated by green cuttings. It has two varieties:

evergreen form with dark green leaves and purple-lilac flowers;
garden early hybrid, undersized, with abundant, bright, early blooming bluish-red flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. This form is not as winter-hardy as the main species.

Rhododendron Adams (Rhododendron adamsii)

- evergreen rhododendron, growing in the Far East and in the northeastern foothills of Tibet and choosing mountain forests and rocky slopes for habitat. It is a branched shrub up to half a meter tall with shoots covered with glandular pile. Dense matte green leaves are oblong-elliptical, up to 2 cm long and up to 2 cm wide, glabrous above, red below due to scales. Flowers up to one and a half cm in diameter of different shades of pink are collected in corymbose inflorescences of 7-15 pieces. This rhododendron is included in the Red Book of Buryatia.

Japanese rhododendron (Rhododendron japonicum)

as the name implies, it comes from Japan, from the sunny mountains of the island of Honshu. This species is one of the most beautiful deciduous rhododendrons, which is a branchy shrub up to two meters tall with shoots that are bare or covered with silver bristles. The leaf of Japanese rhododendron is green, oblong-lanceolate, with soft pubescence on both sides of the leaf plate. Leaves turn orange-red in autumn. Fragrant bell-shaped flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, collected 6-12 pieces in racemose inflorescences, are painted in orange and scarlet red. In the middle lane there is no species equal in beauty to the Japanese rhododendron. In addition, the species is winter-hardy, well propagated by cuttings and seeds.

Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum)

grows wild in the Caucasus, as its name implies. This is a low evergreen shrub with creeping branches. The leaves of the Caucasian rhododendron are leathery, oval, oblong, dark green, glabrous on the upper side of the plate and felt-red on the lower side, located on long thick petioles. Fragrant funnel-bell-shaped yellowish flowers with green spots inside the throat are collected 8-12 pieces in racemose inflorescences located on hairy peduncles. The view has several decorative forms:

pink-white, which blooms earlier than the main species;
shiny with dark pink flowers;
golden yellow with yellow flowers, decorated with greenish specks;
straw-yellow with yellow flowers with reddish spots.

In addition to the described species, rhododendrons of Albrecht, Atlantic, Vazeya, unflowered, tree-like, yellow, hard-haired, western, golden, Indian, Kamchatka, Canadian, Caroline, Carpathian, carpal, sticky, short-fruited, reddening, largest, large-leaved, Ketevbinsky, Lapland , Ledebour, small-leaved, marigold, sea buckthorn, pointed, dense, pontic, attractive, pukkhansky, rusty, evenly tall, pink, shichotinsky, plum-leaved, obtuse, rooting, yakushimansky and many others.

Rhododendron hybrid

- this is the name of the totality of variety forms and hybrids of rhododendrons grown in culture. In other words, a hybrid rhododendron is a garden rhododendron. The most popular varieties of hybrid rhododendron are:

German cultivar Alfred, bred by crossing the Everestina variety with the Ketevbinsky rhododendron and which is an evergreen shrub up to 120 cm high with a crown diameter of about one and a half meters. The leaves are oblong-elliptical, dark green and shiny. bright flowers purple in color with a yellow-green spot up to 6 cm in diameter are collected in dense inflorescences of 15-20 pieces;
variety Blue Peter obtained by crossing the Pontic rhododendron. The height of the bush is more than one and a half meters. The crown is spreading, up to two meters in diameter. Flowers up to 6 cm in diameter, lavender-blue with corrugated edges and a dark purple spot on the upper petal;

jacksons- An English hybrid between the Nobleanum variety and the Caucasian rhododendron. Bush up to two meters high, crown diameter about three meters. There is an undersized form up to 80 cm high. The leaves are oblong, leathery, dull green above and brown below. Collected in inflorescences of 8-12 pieces, the flowers have a pink tint during blooming, and later turn white with a yellow spot on one petal;
Rose Marie- a variety of Czech selection, bred by crossing Pink Pearl and magnificent rhododendron. The height of the bush is 120 cm, the girth of the crown is one and a half meters. The leaves are oblong-elliptical, leathery, the upper side of the leaf plate is light green in color with a waxy coating, the bottom leaves are blue-green, glossy. The flowers, pale pink at the edges, and deep pink with a purple tint towards the middle, are collected in compact spherical inflorescences of 6-14 pieces;
Nova Zembla- Dutch hybrid between the variety Persone Gloriosum and the Katevbinsky rhododendron. Bush up to 3 m high and loose crown up to 3.5 m in girth. The shoots grow almost vertically, the leaves are large, leathery, shiny. Large flowers up to 6 cm in diameter, red with a black spot, collected 10-12 pieces in dense inflorescences;

Cunningham- Scottish cultivar, the most popular variety of Caucasian rhododendron, reaching a height of two meters with a crown diameter of one and a half meters. The leaves are oblong, leathery, dark green, up to 6 cm long and up to 3 cm wide. White flowers with yellow-brown specks are collected in 10 pieces in dense inflorescences.

Properties of rhododendron

In addition to the indisputable decorative advantages, rhododendron has medicinal properties which are widely used in folk and traditional medicine. Species such as Dahurian, Golden, Adams, Caucasian rhododendron contain andromedotoxin, ericoline, arbutin and rhododendrin. Rhododendron leaves also contain ascorbic acid, the highest concentration of which in the plant is observed in the summer months. Due to the content of substances useful for the human body, rhododendron has antipyretic, analgesic, bactericidal, sedative and diaphoretic effects. It removes excess fluid from the body, relieving shortness of breath, edema, palpitations, lowers arterial and venous pressure and enhances cardiac activity. However, the rhododendron is far from harmless. During pregnancy and lactation, as well as patients with tissue necrosis and those suffering from serious kidney diseases, you should refrain from taking drugs based on rhododendron. And in any case, before taking such medications, it would be best to first consult with your doctors.

Rhododendron in the Moscow region - features

Sometimes amateur flower growers, fascinated by a beautiful advertising picture, are eager to grow an outlandish bush called rhododendron in their garden. But how often, despite the money, time and effort spent, they are disappointed - the bush on the site does not look at all like in the advertising booklet, moreover, it withers every day and, in the end, dies. Is it possible to avoid such a sad ending and grow a thermophilic rhododendron plant in Moscow, for example? Is it possible to grow rhododendron in the Moscow region, in the Leningrad region and other areas of the middle lane? As they say, with the right approach, nothing is impossible.

Planting a rhododendron in the suburbs

Firstly, you need to know exactly which of the types of rhododendron can survive the winter near Moscow, since non-cold-resistant species and varieties die from frost even under cover. It is best to plant, of course, deciduous types of rhododendrons: Japanese, yellow, Schlippenbach, Vazeya, Canadian, Kamchatka, Pukhansky. Of the semi-evergreen species, Ledebour's rhododendron is suitable, and from evergreens, you can grow the Katevbinsky rhododendron (as well as its hybrids Alfred, Abraham Lincoln, Nova Zembla, Cunningham White), short-fruited, golden, largest rhododendrons and Smirnov's rhododendron and its hybrids Gabriel, Dorothy Swift, Laika. Well-proven bred not so long ago in Finland winter-hardy varieties Elvira, The Hague, Mikkeli. The hybrids of the Northern Light group Rosie Lights, Pink Lights, Spicy Lights and others winter well in the middle lane.

If you have purchased a winter-hardy rhododendron, then you need to be able to plant it correctly. First, you need to do it in the spring, choosing a semi-shady place no closer than a meter from any other plants. Secondly, buy a special soil for rhododendron or make your own mixture of garden soil, needles and peat. In the soil you need to add a complex mineral fertilizer. Thirdly, the pit for a rhododendron seedling should be twice the size of the container with the root system of the seedling, and if the soil in the area is clayey, be sure to pour a drainage layer of broken brick 15 cm thick on the bottom of the pit. Fourthly, do not bury the root when planting neck - let it remain at the same level as in the container. After planting, be sure to water the seedling.

Caring for rhododendron in the suburbs

Planting and caring for a rhododendron in the Moscow region is not much different from growing this plant in regions with warmer winters, but there are still differences. We offer you a list of requirements, by fulfilling which, you can count on success, despite the cool climate of your area:

rhododendrons grow in acidic humus soils. In the zone where the roots take nutrients, there should be no dolomite, ash, lime and other substances that alkalize the soil;
mulching the near-stem circles of rhododendron is necessary, especially since it is impossible to loosen and dig the soil around the bushes due to the horizontal location of the root system of the rhododendron;
in the spring, organize the protection of the rhododendron from the sun's rays with a mesh, gauze or cloth;
The most important success factor is deep and balanced watering of the rhododendron: it should receive exactly as much moisture as it needs, no more, no less. In dry, hot summers, watering is carried out twice a week.

Sometimes in early autumn, due to warm rainy weather, rhododendrons begin to grow, but young shoots do not have time to mature and die in winter. To avoid unwanted late growth of shoots, spray the bush in dry weather with a one percent solution of potassium sulfate or monophosphate from a fine spray - this measure will stop growth, stimulate woody shoots and lay flower buds for next year. However, after spraying, watering the rhododendron should be stopped, even if the weather is dry.

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Flowers, like people, have different fates. Some flowers quickly win our hearts and gardens, while some have a long and thorny path. And often it is impossible to understand what it is connected with. Such a mystery is the rhododendron flower, perhaps the most beautifully flowering and ornamental shrub growing in the middle lane.

Why rhododendron flowers in the 20th century in Russia did not find their fans is very difficult to understand, but a fact is a fact. Moreover, it is especially surprising that the lilac brought to us in the 18th century became our native, folk flower, and we ignored the garden rhododendron growing in Russia.

In this article, we will talk about the history of these plants, talk about varieties of rhododendrons, show different types of rhododendrons in the photo and give recommendations for growing them in the middle lane.

The history of the garden plant rhododendron

In Russia, rhododendrons began to be grown at the end of the 19th century. E. Regel was one of the first to take up this culture in the Imperial Botanical Garden. And soon the nursery of the Pomological Garden of E. Regel offered 18 varieties of only soft rhododendron (Rhododendron molle). The same E. Regel brought about a dozen varieties of Caucasian rhododendron (Rh. caucasicum). were selected and various forms R. Japanese (Rh. japonicum). And various natural species were also widely used, such as r. stiff-haired (Rh. hirsutum) and r. Smirnov (Rh. smirnowii) and others.

As a result, in the gardens of St. Petersburg at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, they were widely distributed and loved by gardeners. They were planted in large curtains and even alleys were created from them. In the work of S. Voronina "Gardens Silver Age» provides many examples of gardens that have used rhododendrons. But it suffices to mention just one example that confirms wide use and love for this culture of our compatriots, this is the memory of T. L. Shchepkina-Kupernik about the estate of M. V. Krestovskaya Marioka: like living bonfires on June white nights ... "

But after the revolution, these works were forgotten, and the varieties obtained by E. Regel disappeared in the abyss of time. Of course, the plants could not stand the difficult revolutionary and post-revolutionary years, and the collections and gardens perished. But why they did not receive the deserved attention later, it is difficult to understand.

V last years interest in this culture has appeared, and garden centers are literally “inundated” with planting material. Rhododendron plants are becoming fashionable, prestigious plants in the "new Russian" gardens. But there are also many negative reviews of gardeners about this culture, which bad experience growing rhododendrons. The low quality of garden center staff, who often offer varieties that cannot grow in our climate, and the low culture of our gardeners, who purchase plants without thinking about the conditions needed to grow them. And rhododendrons require the creation of special conditions for their successful growth, and they do not forgive mistakes, “punishing” the negligent gardener with their death.

Does it make sense then to start them and is it difficult to care for them? Grow these plants in the garden or not, of course, you decide. But it is worth seeing them at least once in color, as this question will no longer arise. Therefore, they were included in the list of hits. You just need to choose the right place and create a landing hole with the necessary soil. Further care is little different from care.

The second problem is related to the choice planting material. There are problem-free options, there are more difficult to care for and those that simply will not grow with us. Winter hardiness temperatures given in some catalogs do not always help in resolving this issue.

Rhododendron seedlings are rooted and grafted. Own-rooted plants propagated vegetatively should be purchased. During micropropagation, deviations from the properties of the original variety are possible.

Types of rhododendrons and their photos

When choosing rhododendrons for your garden, preference should be given to winter-hardy species and varieties derived from them. The most unpretentious and winter-hardy types of deciduous rhododendrons. They will allow you to get the most long flowering, which will open the river. dahurian (Rh. dahuricum) at the end of April. Following him, the river will bloom. Ledebour (Rh. ledebourii) and r. Canadian (Rh. canadense).

As seen above in the photo, these types of rhododendrons bloom with pink-purple flowers.

Rhododendron Fraser (Rh x fraseri)- a hybrid of Canadian rhododendrons and molly. Blooms early, following the river. daursky and r. Canadian. The flowers are medium-sized, purple-violet, resembling moths. Bushes are undersized, up to 1.2 m high.

Japanese rhododendron

In May, various forms and varieties of Japanese rhododendron (Rh. japonicum) flare up with all kinds of colors. Together with it blooms bright yellow flowers yellow rhododendron (Rh. luteum).

Japanese rhododendron is one of the most spectacular and at the same time one of the most unpretentious deciduous rhododendrons. Seedlings of this species are often found on sale. The flowers are large, fragrant, from pale salmon to scarlet red. White-flowered and yellow-flowered forms of this species are known. In autumn, the bushes “flare” with purple foliage. Bush 1.4-2 m high.

Do not confuse the various cultivars of the river. Japanese with Japanese azaleas, also called Kurum azaleas. Japanese azaleas are bred on the basis of blunt rhododendron (Rh. obtusum), a semi-evergreen shrub. Although these azaleas are widely sold in our garden centers and markets, and for them lead low temperatures winter hardiness, they are not very suitable for cultivation in central Russia.

Schlippenbach Rhododendron

It is impossible not to remember one of the most beautiful rhododendrons - Schlippenbach (Rh. schlippenbachii), which, like all handsome men, requires increased attention.

It has rather large (5-8 cm in diameter) flowers of a very delicate pale pink color with pink-purple speckles, which have a delicate aroma. Schlippenbach rhododendron flower buds can be damaged spring frosts and in winters with frequent thaws, and the bushes themselves suffer in harsh winters, so for the winter he requires good hiding place and can only be recommended to experienced gardeners.

Don't try to start rhododendron kamchatka (Rh. kamtschaticum), which is often recommended in our literature based on where it grows. It is not so easy to care for, because northern plants often feel just as uncomfortable with us as southern ones, since not all species are satisfied with a noticeably longer growing season due to longer warm weather. It can only be recommended to experienced flower growers.

The main assortment of deciduous rhododendrons is made up of varieties bred using several species, which does not allow them to be attributed to any one of them. Often they are combined into different groups depending on the parental pairs used and the breeding site.

High resistance to our climate is distinguished by many varieties of popular groups Knap Hill (Knap Hill) and Exbury (Exbury), created in England by A. Waterer and L. Rothschild, respectively. These two groups are related, and they are often combined into one. The varieties of these groups today make up the main world assortment of deciduous rhododendrons and are widely represented on our market. Many hybrids of these groups have winter hardiness down to -30°C.

The varieties of the Northern Light group (Northern Lights), created in the USA, have the greatest winter hardiness and, therefore, reliability in culture in central Russia among deciduous rhododendrons. They can withstand temperatures down to -42°C. It is quite winter-hardy in the conditions of the middle lane pink rhododendron (Rh. roseum), blooming with fragrant pink flowers, and sticky rhododendron (Rh. viscosum) with white or pinkish flowers. The latter is interesting for late flowering and very fragrant flowers.

Closes the flowering of rhododendrons in July arborescent rhododendron (Rh. arborescens), blooming white or pinkish flowers with a strong pleasant aroma.

Photo varieties of rhododendron

We bring to your attention to see photos of varieties of rhododendrons suitable for our climate.

April Snow (April Sno)- an early-flowering hybrid of Dahurian rhododendron. Flowers white, double. Densely branched shrub up to 1.6 m high.

Rhododendron "Klondyke" ("Klondike")- a very bright variety. As you can see in the photo, the rhododendron of this species has orange buds, fragrant, large, rich yellow flowers and raspberry-red leaves. The height of the bush reaches 1.2-2 m.

"Liesma" ("Liesma")- a hybrid of Japanese rhododendron. The flowers are very large, shiny, blazing salmon color. Bush 1.2-2 m high.

"Mandarin Lights" ("Tangerine Lights")- with reddish-orange large flowers with a well-defined orange spot on the upper lobe, having a light aroma. The bush is low, up to 1.0-1.5 m.

Rhododendron variety "Narcissiflora" ("Narcissiflora") has very fragrant star-shaped semi-double flowers lemon yellow. Bush 1.0-1.8 m high.

Rhododendron "Persil" ("Persil") blooms with white flowers, the upper petal of which is decorated with a large yellow spot. Plant height 1.4-1.8 m.

"Cunninghams White" ("Cunninghams White")- a hybrid of the Caucasian rhododendron, is one of the most popular varieties. It blooms with white flowers with a yellowish-green spot on the upper petal. It is very unpretentious and hardy, but needs a reliable winter shelter, as flower buds can withstand temperatures down to -21°C. Bush 1.4-1.8 m high.

Not so extensive, but quite diverse and the choice of evergreen rhododendrons. The highest winter hardiness have r. Katevbinsky (Rh. catawbiense), r. short-fruited (Rh. brachycarpum) and r. Fori (Rh.fauriei), some botanists consider the latter a kind of river. short-fruited.

Rhododendron Fori- very winter-hardy species with large evergreen leaves. White flowers with a slightly noticeable pink and a greenish speck on the upper petal are collected in spherical inflorescences. Plant height 1.5-2.5 m.

Accordingly, hybrids of these species also have high winter hardiness. But do not forget that the winter hardiness of hybrids is also determined by other parents of this variety, so the hybrid may have noticeably less winter hardiness than the species.

If you grow Katevbinsky rhododendron from seeds, then the seedlings will be better adapted to local conditions, and the color will vary, and you will get plants with flowers of different shades. Therefore, even using species plants, a relatively diverse spectrum of color can be obtained.

Rhododendron Smirnov, r. largest, r. Yakushimsky, r. Metternich, r. Caucasian. However, their winter hardiness is lower and problems can arise in harsh winters. Accordingly, hybrids of these varieties are quite winter-hardy. But among them, some varieties are able to winter under cover, while others do not winter with us. Therefore, it makes sense to start these species and their varieties when you have already gained experience in growing the previously noted rhododendrons.

Particularly great success in breeding winter-hardy rhododendrons was achieved by P. Tigerstedt and M. Uosukainen at the University of Helsinki. Their varieties are distinguished by high winter hardiness, and they can be grown in our gardens.

Unfortunately, not all varieties are highly decorative and not all bloom profusely every year.

So, "Pohjola's Daughter" (Poholaz Doute) often pleases only with decorative evergreen foliage, since the buds withstand frosts down to -20 ... -23 ° C.

When choosing evergreen rhododendrons for your garden, do not forget about cute kids: r. stiff-haired (Rh. hirsutum), described below, p. dense (Rh. impeditum), r. equal (Rh. fastigiatum), r. rusty (Rh. ferrugineum). These low, dense evergreen shrubs overwinter well enough under snow.

Stiff-haired rhododendron is a dense squat bush (up to 0.7-1 m) with small evergreen foliage. It blooms profusely with intense pink funnel-bell-shaped flowers. There is a white-flowered form. It tolerates an increase in soil acidity. It is winter-hardy, but it is better to cover young plants for the winter.

Rhododendron rusty also blooms with pink flowers. There is a white-flowered form. Rhododendrons dense and equally tall are distinguished by violet-blue flowers and a dense compact form. Shrubs only up to 0.7 m high. Their varieties are also resistant in culture, although here it is already worth being careful.

Rhododendron "Katevbinsky Grandiflorum"

"Catawbiense Grandiflorum" ("Katevbinsky Grandiflorum")- rhododendrum of an old, reliable variety, blooming with light purple flowers with a golden brown pattern on the upper petal. The bush is powerful, dense, wide-rounded, up to 2.5 m high.

Photo of pink rhododendron flowers

Rhododendron variety "Hellikki" ("Hellicky") stands out with catchy intense pink-red flowers. The variety requires a carefully selected place, fairly open, but at the same time protected from the winds and shaded from the midday heat. If you create conditions that suit him, you will be rewarded with luxurious flowering. Bush 1.2-1.8 m high.

Rhododendron "Helsinki University" ("Helsinki University")- a great variety, pleasing persistence. As you can see in the photo, the flowers of the Helsinki rhododendron variety are pale pink, covering the entire bush. The plant is low, 1-1.6 m.

Kalinka ("Kalinka")- very viable low (up to 1.0 m) hemispherical hybrid of yakushiman rhododendron. It blooms profusely with pink flowers with a white center.

Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' ("Roseum Elegance")- a variety of the XIX century, but still has not lost its relevance due to its vitality and abundant flowering with lilac-pink flowers. A bush up to 1.5 m high. In recent years, the appearance of less hardy clones has begun to be noted.

Rhododendron 'Haaga' ("Hague") has lilac-pink flowers with discreet red-orange freckles and slightly wavy edges, which are collected in large spherical inflorescences. Blooms very profusely. After flowering, the bush is decorated with shiny dark green foliage. Plant height 1.5-2.0 m.

homebush ("Homebush")- the original variety of rhododendron, in which pale pink double flowers are collected in large spherical inflorescences. Bushes are dense, upright growing, up to 1.5 m high.

Rhododendron "Raisa" ("Raisa")- low (up to 0.7 m) rounded bush with rather large evergreen foliage, blooming with bright red-pink flowers. M. Gorbachev chose him from the hybrids presented to him in order to name him in memory of his wife Raisa. One hundred bushes were donated for the park of the hospital named after R. Gorbacheva in St. Petersburg.

Rhododendron "Nova Zembla"

Nova Zembla ("Nova Zembla"), perhaps the most popular red variety. The flowers are ruby red with dark purple-brown flecks and golden anthers. Rhododendron bushes "Nova Zembla" are powerful, fast-growing, up to 2 m high. In central Russia, it needs reliable shelter. The sometimes reported winter hardiness of -32°C is a clear exaggeration.

Description of dark rhododendrons

"Rasputin" ("Rasputin")- one of the darkest varieties in color. Intense purple flowers with a large dark purple spot on the upper petal. Requires shelter for the winter, although the last harsh winters suffered without shelter under the snow and bloomed. Bush 1.4-2 m high.

"Bogumil Kavka" ("Bogumil Kavka")- Czech variety with dark purple eyes brown spots flowers on the upper petals. The description of the rhododendron of this variety is similar to the description of the Rasputin rhododendron, however, the bush has a more sprawling shape, with stems of purple-violet tones, about 1 m high.

Fireball ("Fireball") differs in very bright red-orange color of flowers and crimson-red autumn foliage. Bush 1.4-1.8 m high.

To take a break from the oppressive urban environment, go to the country to admire the rhododendron, an ornamental shrub of the heather family. "Rosewood" is a spring-flowering plant remarkable in every way: it has very original leathery leaves and magnificent large inflorescences. But in order for it to bloom intensively, it needs to be intensively looked after: planted in suitable place, timely water, regularly loosen and weed, reasonably feed.

Types and varieties of rhododendrons

If you plan to grow rhododendrons in the Middle lane (Moscow region), in the Leningrad region, in the Urals or in Siberia, then you should pay attention exclusively to winter-hardy varieties that can withstand temperatures drop to -25 degrees or more in winter.

Among these frost-resistant varieties rhododendrons include the following: Roseum Elegance, Nova Zembla, Grandiflorum, Golden Lights, White Lights, Rosie Lights, Babushka, Impeditum Golden Lights, English Roseum, Karens, Mount St. Helens, Caractacus, Dahurian and PZHM Elite.

In general, rhododendrons can be divided into 2 varieties:

Video: varieties and types of rhododendron

When and how to plant rhododendrons in open ground

Landing dates

You can plant rhododendrons both in spring and autumn. If you decide to plant in the spring, then it is advisable to have time before the plant blooms, in other words, depending on the region (in the Middle lane, the Moscow region a little earlier, in the Urals and Siberia - later), it may be April - May month. autumn planting rhododendron is best done in early autumn, it is recommended to have it before the second half of October. Such periods are explained by the fact that wet and cool weather is ideal for the plant to take root in the garden.

According to the lunar calendar in 2019

It can help you choose the best date for disembarkation Moon calendar.

So favorable days for planting rhododendron in 2019 according to the lunar calendar are:

in March - 12-17, 19, 20, 27-30;
in April - 6-8, 11-13, 15-17, 24-26, 29, 30;
in May - 6-8, 10-17, 21-23, 26-28, 31;
in June - 1, 2, 5, 6, 9-13, 16-20, 27-30;
in July - 8-12, 25-31;
in August - 2-6, 17, 18, 21-23, 26-28;
in September - 1-5, 7-10, 17-24;
in October - 4-7, 9-12, 19-21, 23-25, 27;
in November - 13-18.

Unfavorable days according to the lunar calendar for 2019 for planting rhododendron are the following dates:

in March - 6, 7, 21;
in April - 5, 19;
in May - 5, 19;
in June - 3, 4, 17;
in July - 2, 3, 17;
in August - 15, 16, 30, 31;
in September - 14, 15, 28, 29;
in October - 14, 28;
in November - 12, 13, 26, 27.

According to the lunar calendar from the magazine "1000 tips for summer residents."

Place in the garden for planting

Rhododendron like everyone else flowering shrubs still loves the sun. Therefore, find a place for landing sunny or with light partial shade. It is good if from 10-11 in the morning until 4-5 days direct and burning sun rays do not fall on the plant. Moreover, this shrub does not tolerate drafts, but it definitely needs to provide an influx fresh air. For example, it is good to plant a rhododendron near fruit trees (the same apple tree), which would slightly shade the shrub during the day, at a distance of about 1.5 meters from the crown.

Advice! Deciduous rhododendrons need more sun than evergreens.

Landing hole and soil

Despite the fact that the pot of rhododendron is usually small, landing pit you need a large enough one, it should be about 3-4 times larger than the root system of the seedling. Dimensions the following are required: depth from 50-90 centimeters, width - 60-80 centimeters (depending on the size of the seedling and soil. If the soil is too clayey, then the pit should be larger).

Important! If the soil in your area is clayey, then drainage material should be laid at the bottom by about 10-15 centimeters. As a drainage, you can use any inert substance, that is, gravel, crushed stone, coarse sand are suitable.

If you want to plant several rhododendrons side by side, then it is advisable to plant them at a distance of at least 1 meter from each other.

Rhododendrons love acidic soils. In ordinary (sandy or clay loamy) these plants grow very poorly, literally 1 season, and then they wither and disappear (as a rule, they simply do not survive the winter). Therefore, to fill the landing pit will require sour high-moor peat. It is sold ready-made in garden stores or you can dig it up in a forest swamp. You will also need coniferous litter(these are needles and twigs of coniferous trees that have crumbled to the ground, for example, there is pine litter), you can also pick it up in the forest, and you need to collect it not dry (it should be thrown away), namely loose and smelling of mushrooms. Mix these components in equal parts.

Another suitable for rhododendron potting mix recipe: 6 parts of acid high-moor peat, 2 parts of pine bark and 1 part of garden (garden) soil.

Also you can buy in the store special soil for azaleas(this is a type of rhododendron).

Video: personal experience growing rhododendrons

Direct fit

Step-by-step instructions for planting rhododendrons in open ground:

Video: how to plant rhododendrons

Outdoor rhododendron care

In order for the rhododendron to grow beautifully and bloom profusely in your summer cottage, it needs proper and timely care.

Rhododendron, like all heathers, does not tolerate drying out of the soil. And the peat mixture in which this shrub grows dries up very quickly, especially in summer, when the weather is hot. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the plant regularly and on time. water.

At the end of summer (in August), experienced flower growers recommend stopping watering.

Advice! In the first 2 years, it is highly recommended to do surface spraying in dry weather, in other words, watering directly along the crown.

It is impossible to allow the growth of weeds in the near-stem circle of the shrub. To avoid this, it is necessary to mulch the hole at the planting stage and, if necessary, additionally add mulch, as well as weed and loosen.

top dressing

In early spring rhododendron good feed any nitrogen-containing fertilizer, in which the minimum amount of potassium. For example, you can use ammonium nitrate and prepare a solution by taking 1 tbsp. a spoonful of fertilizer and dissolving it in 10 liters of water.

If your rhododendron bloomed profusely, then to replenish its strength, a mandatory summer top dressing.

As for such top dressing, it is advisable to make 2-3 top dressings with acidic fertilizers during the summer. Store-bought fertilizers for azaleas are great for this.

Video: when and how to feed rhododendrons

The second dressing of rhododendrons in the summer should be done at the end of July. For this, potassium sulfate should be used. To prepare the solution, you will need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of fertilizer and 10 liters of water.

Video: second summer top dressing

Important! At the end of flowering in the first 2-3 years, it is desirable to quickly and accurately remove faded inflorescences, otherwise they form seed material that draws strength from rhododendrons.

After the rhododendron has faded, if it feels good and you take care of it properly, then it will definitely give young shoots. If they do not appear, then this is a clear signal that the care is incorrect or insufficient (for example, watering).

Video: rhododendron care

Note! You can read more about caring for rhododendrons in the fall and about their preparation for winter.

Video: preparing rhododendrons for winter

How to transplant a rhododendron to a new place

Sometimes it happens that the plant does not take root in one place, and it should be transplanted to a more suitable one. Rhododendrons are not afraid of transplantation, because. they have a fairly compact root system, but you should be guided by some rules for changing the place of residence of the shrub:

As for the timing, it is worth replanting the rhododendron, as well as planting it for the first time, either in early spring or in the first months of autumn.
It is optimal to transship shrubs in slightly cool and cloudy weather, but not in dry and sunny weather.
When you dig up a plant, despite the fact that the root system is small, in no case should it be damaged.
It is necessary to dig up a plant together with an earthen clod, which should not crumble when transferred to another place, so the movement must be carried out using a wheelbarrow, placing an earthen clod on it.
In the first year after transplantation, it is advisable to cover the shrub for the winter with one of the popular covering materials (for example, spunbond), and this is done in order to protect the plant from burns.

If you liked the pleasant shapes and luxurious flowers of the “alpine rose” (another name for the rhododendron), do not drive away the idea of \u200b\u200bsettling this beautiful shrub in your summer cottage. Proper and energetic planting and care efforts will more than pay off with a really unforgettable spectacle.

Video: planting and caring for rhododendron

In contact with

By planting a rhododendron in a sunny place, you can wait for flowering for several years. And all because this shrub needs shading. In the scorching sun, rhododendron does not grow: the leaves get burned and quickly dry out. Rhododendron at a young age most often dies from the heat.

Rhododendron planted ONLY in the shade. He is not afraid of transplants, so as soon as you notice that a rhododendron seedling is suffering from the sun, immediately transplant it into a dense shade. Bushes grow quickly and bloom luxuriantly exclusively on acidic soils with good air circulation. As a landing pit filling unsuitable manure, sawdust, black soil. By the way, it's the same.

Their root system is superficial and compact, so weeds need to be pulled out, not weeded. The roots are too close to the surface so they are easily damaged. There should always be a thick layer of mulch under the bush. Then the weeds will not grow, and soil moisture is maintained.

With good care and correct placement on the site, rhododendron pleases with flowering every year. Withered inflorescences must be removed preventing the formation of seeds. In place of one removed inflorescence, 2-3 new flowers will form. The bush becomes more magnificent, and flowering is more abundant and longer.

Rhododendrons during flowering are regularly watered, preventing the soil from drying out. And in the summer heat after sunset, it is recommended to spray the crown with soft water. With a lack of water, the leaves lose their brightness and turgor.

How to plant a rhododendron

Place the seedling in a bucket of water so that the roots are well saturated with water before planting.
The planting hole should be 2-3 times larger than the root system of the seedling.
If you plant a rhododendron under a tree, then the planting hole must be fenced off from the roots of the neighboring tree with roofing material or a piece of slate.
Fill the hole with a mixture of peat (3 parts) and compost soil (1 part).
Water the soil abundantly.
Do not deepen the root neck; it should be at ground level.
Water thoroughly and mulch with pine needles in a layer of 7-10 cm.
Blooming flowers and half of the buds must be removed. So the plant will take root better.

Good neighbors for rhododendrons

Bad neighbors for rhododendrons

Spruce
Birch
Chestnut
Aspen

How to make a rhododendron bloom

Plant in the shade or on the north side.
You need acidic soil.
Cut off inflorescences after flowering.

top dressing

Top dressing in the spring. Well-rotted manure is suitable, which is used instead of mulch. Infusion of organic rhododendron is fertilized several times during the growing season. If not, then it is best to use special fertilizers for rhododendrons. In their composition, all the necessary substances are optimally selected in the right proportion.

Top dressing begins from the moment when the plant starts to grow, no later than May. Be careful with doses. Rhododendrons it is better to mulch once again than to feed. If the bush feels good, blooms profusely, then the minimum doses of fertilizer once a month will be enough for it.

Bush responds well to application superphosphate in liquid form: 30 grams per 10 liters of water. It is also useful to feed the rhododendron with ammonium sulphate, potassium sulphate in a very low concentration (1%) per leaf. Before feeding, the rhododendron must be watered.

As the last top dressing of rhododendron in the middle of summer, they are most often used. potassium sulfate: dissolve a teaspoon in 10 liters of water. For adult bushes, the dosage is doubled. In August and autumn, rhododendrons are not fed.

Doesn't fit ash for feeding rhododendrons, as it reduces the acidity of the soil. And this. The main symptom of this disease is yellowing of the leaves. You can get rid of it by watering with acidified water and processing the leaves. by special means from chlorosis from a spray bottle.

spring care

In early spring, rhododendrons suffer more not from recurrent frosts, but from the sun. Their leaves just burn. Evergreens are the most sensitive to early spring solar activity. large-leaved varieties.

To protect them from the sun, they are shaded with shields from the south and southwest sides at the end of winter after the shelter is removed. artificial shading can be removed when the leaves on neighboring trees bloom.

In the spring, it is important to prevent the kidneys from rotting. The burlap is removed on a cloudy day so that the leaves do not get burned.

Excellent prevention of fungal diseases - treatment foundationazole in May and mid-summer. Evergreen varieties, as well as Canadian rhododendron and Ledebour, are extremely difficult to tolerate fungal infections.

pruning rhododendrons

Crown formation is the key to continuous and abundant flowering rhododendron. Rhododendron pruning begins at a very tender age. Young plants need pin at a height of 30-50 cm, to form a beautiful lush bush. Pruning is carried out on adult strong plants in March. It is impossible to cut strongly, you need to remove excess branches gradually. In the first spring, one half, and the second part of the bush - a year later.

Refresh the bush can be cut by cutting the branches by 30-40 cm. After about a month, dormant branches wake up, and the rhododendron restores decorativeness.

After this procedure, the plant especially needs more careful care: regular top dressing, generous watering and protection from the scorching sun.

Autumn rhododendron care

At the end of autumn, with the first frosts, the evergreen rhododendron is tied with twine and covered with burlap or sbanbord. This shelter should be removed immediately after the snow melts.

But the deciduous rhododenron winters well in a temperate climate. Frosts up to -10 he can survive without shelter. If severe colds come, then in winter it can be protected with burlap.

Evergreen varieties rhododendrons tolerate frosts worse than deciduous ones. They need shelter. In addition, they often break under the weight of snow and strong winds. It is best to build a polyurethane foam frame over the bush and cover it with roofing material or a sheet of slate. And wrap the plant itself, as indicated above.

I have long wanted to acquire such a blooming beauty as a rhododendron. I searched on the Internet, read literature, went to the markets where seedlings are brought from nurseries.

From all the preliminary knowledge, I learned a few things - this is that a beginner should start with breeding a specific rhododendron (it is better to “tame” fancy varieties later), get acquainted with the composition of the soil and the choice of location.

I then planted a Ledebour rhododendron bush and a Dahurian species. I fulfilled all the necessary requirements and took into account the advice, my plants did not die, although they grow quite slowly. These two shrubs are similar to each other, now I'm thinking of buying a couple more seedlings.

In the article I want to introduce you to the beautiful rhododendrons. You will learn when they bloom, how to properly grow them, and love them as much as I do.

Shrubs and trees of rhododendrons (Rhododendron) belong to the Heather family, they are evergreen and deciduous. In translation, they mean rosewood, indeed, most species have different shades of pink. And varieties bred by breeders can be of all kinds of shades: from white to purple.

Flowers in the form of a bell and a funnel, a tube and a wheel, their diameter is from one centimeter to 10. The leaves are elongated and hard, in autumn some bushes have an extremely decorative appearance.

More than 1000 species of this plant differ both in the shape of flowers and crown coverage, and in height (from creeping shrubs to tall thirty-meter trees).

Under natural conditions, it grows in a temperate climate, preferring moist air and partial shade. Therefore, rhododendron is so often found in the undergrowth of pines and other coniferous trees, on mountain slopes, as well as along the banks of rivers and seas, in swamps and in forest tundra.

The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, the Far East and Altai, the Himalayas and Japan are far from complete list places where you can see natural rhododendron thickets. In landscape design, the use of shrubs is very diverse, these are both single plantings and group plantings;

Types and varieties of rhododendron

Anyone who has ever seen this plant in bloom will never forget it - a beautiful shrub. More than two dozen species of this crop and varieties derived from them are common in Russia.

Attention! Deciduous rhododendrons are most suitable for our latitudes, they winter quite well, bloom for a long time, and do not require special care. Every gardener can grow them.

Dahurian

A strongly branched plant with pink-purple flowers grows in Siberia and Primorye, East Asia in coniferous forests, on rocky slopes. Suitable for cultivation in the middle lane and in the Urals, as well as in the north of Russia.

An evergreen shrub grows up to 4 meters in height (it grows very slowly), some of the leaves do not fall for the winter. Inflorescences funnel-shaped, up to 4 cm in coverage. Flowering begins in early May and lasts three weeks, sometimes it can bloom again in the fall.

Winter-hardy species, loves light areas and takes root well, blooms very beautifully, has brightly colored leaves, Dahurian rhododendron is spectacular all season.

Rhododendron arborescens

In nature, it grows in North America in the highlands. Suitable for growing in the middle lane and other regions of Russia. This is a deciduous shrub with a wide crown (up to 6 meters), grows up to 3 meters.

Oblong green leaves turn crimson in autumn, fragrant white or pink flowers bloom (coverage 50 mm.) In early July. This fragrance lasts almost a month. It grows up to 7 centimeters per year.

Likes slightly acidic soils, loose and drained, prefers to be in a bright place. It tolerates winter well, planted in parks, along roads, in single bushes.

Ledebourg rhododendron

Another name Maralnik, grows in Altai and the Sayan Mountains, forms thickets on the slopes of the mountains and in the undergrowth.

Protected in nature reserves. It blooms in May for 2 weeks (sometimes for a month), then beautiful pink-purple inflorescences appear again in the fall. They are quite large (up to 5 cm), and the shrub up to 150 cm tall looks very colorful during flowering.

This species is winter-hardy, it does not completely shed its leaves for the winter, but in the spring after flowering they will still fall off, making room for fresh shoots. Growth per year up to 7-8 cm, crown diameter more than a meter.

Rhododendron Schlippenbach

Large deciduous shrub with woody shoots. As a garden culture, it grows up to 150-160 cm, in nature up to 4 meters. Winter-hardy, but requires shelter. One of the most beautiful rhododendrons with pale lilac flowers with speckles, the coverage of the inflorescence reaches 10 cm.

The leaves are soft, grow on the shoot at the end (5 pieces in a brush), in autumn the green color is replaced by ocher-red. Blooms in May-June, quickly gaining popularity among flower growers.

Countless varieties have been obtained by breeders around the world.

April Snow

White double flowers bloom in early spring, the foliage of the bush is strong, height is 160 cm.

Cunningham

Scottish hybrid one and a half meters tall has white flowers with brownish patches.

Blue Peter

Height 1.5 meters, crown coverage more than 2 meters. The flowers are large (6 cm), blue, lavender hue.

Liesma

Bred on the basis of Japanese rhododendron (up to 2 meters high). Large salmon, orange-yellow flowers have a shiny surface.

Narcissiflora

The bright yellow flowers are fragrant and star-shaped. The shrub grows up to 180 cm.

How to plant a garden rhodedendron

Advice! So that you do not suffer disappointment from the death of an expensive seedling, try to get as much information as possible about the plant you are purchasing. You should not completely rely on eloquent sellers, it is better to prepare for the purchase in advance.

Take the trouble to make sure that the rhododendron is winter-hardy and adapted to our latitudes. Landing does not take much time, and care can be quickly learned.

You can plant a plant in the fall (almost all buds are removed) or in the spring, when the ground thaws.

We choose a place protected from the wind, in light partial shade. It is important that there is no direct sunlight. Plant in an area that is visible to the eye to observe flowering.

We spill the plant in a pot before planting so that the root system is prepared for transplantation;
The hole under the plant should be dug 2 times larger than the coverage of the roots;
We completely remove the natural earth from the hole, lay drainage on the bottom: broken brick, or crushed stone and sand;
We pour soil for heather, or such a mixture: peat, leafy soil, humus, fallen needles;
We put the tree in a hole and sprinkle it on top (up to the root neck) with the same mixture of earth;
Water abundantly, press the soil around and mulch the surface with peat.

Worth knowing! No wonder the main ingredient in the soil for rhododendrons is peat. This plant loves slightly acidic or acidic soils flavored with humus.

shrub care

Since the plant is moisture-loving, it is necessary to water it abundantly with acidified water (vinegar or lemon), spray the crown in hot weather. It is necessary to mulch the trunk circle to retain moisture.

Important! The root system of rhododendrons is quite superficial and tender, so loosening is undesirable.

Also, the bushes need to be regularly cut, removing diseased and dry branches, to form a beautiful habit.

Flowering shrub needs top dressing. In the first year, the fertilizer is applied very metered, in subsequent years, you can water the rhododendron with mullein infusion, diluting it in accordance with the instructions.

All summer, once every 14 days, watering is carried out with complex fertilizers containing phosphorus. In addition to root injections, crown spraying is welcome.

How to propagate rhododendron

You can grow a plant through seeds, layering, cuttings and grafting, as well as dividing the bush. Since the culture grows very slowly, the seed method is not the best way, and such a bush will bloom no earlier than in 3-4 years. With this method of reproduction, all varietal characteristics of the plant are preserved.

Vegetative propagation is more common:

We root layering by pinning to the ground in early spring, like other shrubs;
We also cut the cuttings in spring or autumn from young shoots and dig them in a greenhouse or in a pot with nutrient soil (most of the peat, less sand);
You can divide the bush when it grows, carefully separating parts of the root, sprinkling slices with crushed charcoal and a quick transplant.

The easiest, of course, is to buy a ready-made seedling that professionals have grown for you.

What causes rhododendron

Failures in care - overflows and underfilling, a change in the composition of the soil from acidic to alkaline, the bright sun can contribute to disease. These are rust, chlorosis and spotting, fungal diseases and pests.

If there are problems, we get rid of them with the help of insecticides, adjust the watering and fertilizing regime.

Place in landscape design

Favorite neighbors of rhododendrons are ferns, hostas, and other flowering shrubs. Plants are good in Japanese gardens among stones, in the shade of conifers.

Rosewood bushes are planted alone and in the alley, on the banks of the reservoir and near the gazebo, in rock gardens and mixborders. Everywhere the rhododendron will look elegant and spectacular.