Description
The Japanese salmon rhododendron is a shrub that falls off in autumn. Its distinctive characteristics:
- the height reaches 2 m;
- the crown is very lush;
- flowers reach 7 cm in diameter;
- lanceolate leaves up to 10-12 cm long;
- gray bark;
- the seeds ripen in a fruit capsule.
Rosewood inflorescences consist of 6-12 flowers, the beginning of flowering is May-June. During the flowering period, the Japanese rhododendron is abundantly dotted with inflorescences that even overlap the foliage. The flowering period is up to three weeks. At the same time, bright flowers exude an indescribable aroma. In autumn, before falling off, the leaves take on a fiery hue.
Japanese rhododendron takes root well in the middle lane
There is an opinion that the rhododendron bush is very delicate and not winter-hardy. But this is not at all the case. It requires the same care and attention as any other plant. And breeders have long worked hard to make this Asian shrub feel good in our climate.
Varieties
All of the shrubs listed below are evergreen, winter-hardy plants. They are suitable for the middle zone of our country.
"Azurro"
Shrub up to 1.2 meters high, withstands frosts down to -23 degrees. It appeared as a result of crossing the varieties "Nova Zembla" and Purple Splendour. At an early age, pruning of shoots is required for lush flowering in the future. The flowers are large in diameter - 10-12 cm, the flowering of which occurs at the end of May. They are purple in color, with a wavy edge and burgundy specks. For the winter, the plant must be covered
"Nova zembla"
The height of an adult plant is 1.8 m, and its diameter is 2 m, and in warm climates the rhododendron grows up to 3 meters. Leaves are oval, large, up to 16 cm. Named after the place where this variety was bred - Novaya Zemlya. Obtained by free pollination of Katevbinsky rhododendron in 1902. The branches of the shrub are directed upwards. The flowers are red with black dots in the center and on the upper petal. It is frost-resistant, can withstand temperatures down to -32 ° C. In severe winters, it requires shelter.
Cunninghams White
This variety was first introduced for cultivation in the northern strip. It can be considered the most beautiful among all hybrids. It has pink buds, which, when opened, turn into beautiful white lush inflorescences with a pale pink heart and golden specks. The shrub is distinguished by its spreading. Large, up to 12 cm, leaves of a dark green color, elliptical in shape. The size of an adult plant reaches 1.5 m in the crown and 2 m in height. Withstands temperatures down to -28 -30 ° C. But in more severe frosts it can freeze.
Helsinki University
Perhaps the most frost-resistant, withstands frosts down to -39 ° C. It grows up to 1.5-1.7 m in height and a compact crown of 1-1.5 m.The leaves are dark, glossy, large, up to 15 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. the second half of June and delight with their beauty for up to 3 weeks. Inflorescences are collected from 12-15 flowers at the crown of the shoots, forming pale pink caps.
"Purpureum Grandiflorum"
A bush with spherical purple inflorescences at the tops of branches, reaches a height of 2.5 m, and a crown - 2.7 m. Needs mulching of the soil. Due to its branchiness, it requires protection from the wind, as well as from the drying sun. Winter-hardy - withstands frosts down to -30 ° C. Leaves are dark green above and grayish below, medium size, only up to 8 cm long, oval in shape. The inflorescences are collected in balls of 15 flowers, the size of one flower is 6-7 cm. The flowers are of a more intense shade compared to the predecessor, the Grandiflorum rhododendron.
Roseum Elegance
Tall, spreading shrub up to 3 m in height and 3.5 m in the crown. It resembles a small tree.Blooms from early June to 3 weeks. The flowers resemble lilac-pink lilies, with a dark speck on the top petal and a speck in the middle. Their size is 5-7 cm, collected in inflorescences of 15 pieces. Capable of surviving frosts up to 32 ° C.
"Sappho"
A beautifully flowering shrub up to 2 m in height and in diameter. Snow-white flowers with black currant-colored specks on the upper petal bloom from delicate lilac buds pointed upwards. It does not differ in resistance to cold, it can withstand temperatures down to -20 ° C, so you need to cover the plant for the winter. Dark green lancet-shaped leaves. Prefers to grow in partial shade, but not strong, as the crown can grow strongly.
One of the first varieties brought to Europe was the Katevba rhododendron. It grows by 10-12 cm per year, at the age of 10 it has a height of 1.5 m, but can reach from 2 to 4 m, the crown exceeds its growth in diameter. Flower petals can be either oval or pointed, pink in color, collected in inflorescences of 15-20 pieces and a size of 12-15 cm. This variety is used for breeding varieties with high cold resistance.
How to care for rhododendron at home, see below
Rhododendron: planting, variety selection, reproduction
The choice of planting material
Rhododendron should be chosen for planting taking into account the climatic conditions of the growing region. For regions with a temperate climate, winter-hardy species are suitable:
• Japanese;
• blushing (varieties Lauretta, Azurwolke, Blaufeder);
• Caucasian (Riga White, Daughter of the North);
• Schlippenbach;
• Katevbin (Album Novum, Boursault, Grandiflorum, Roseum Elegans).
In the northern regions, you can grow the following rhododendrons:
• pointed;
• Sikhotinsky;
• Ledebour;
• Daurian (varieties April Dawn, April Rose, April White).
They are able to withstand frosts down to -40 ° C, but they still need winter shelter.
It is better to buy bushes in nurseries. It is better for inexperienced gardeners to start growing the species rhododendron, and not the variety obtained on its basis.
When choosing seedlings, inspect the plant: fluffy bushes are more tenacious, there should be no swelling and spots on the leaves, weeping areas and nodes are unacceptable on the roots.
Landing
When planting a rhododendron on a site, it is important to choose the right place for it: it must be protected from winds, the scorching sun, without stagnant moisture. Therefore, it is better to plant it on the north or north-east side of the site.
This plant grows well in partial shade under the crowns of trees. However, birches, lindens, willows, maples, chestnuts are not suitable for him as neighbors - their root systems, like those of rhododendron, are close to the surface of the earth and will draw off nutrients and moisture. As a result, the rhododendron can weaken and die. On the garden plot, planting a rhododendron near fruit trees will be successful. If you plant it in a sunny place, it will not bloom.
The planting pit should be 2 times the size of the rhododendron root ball. He prefers acidic soils (pH = 4.5-5), permeable with high fertility. Therefore, a mixture of leafy earth, peat, fallen needles is placed in the planting pit. The roots of the seedling are distributed in the pit, covered with soil and compacted well. To prevent the root system from overheating, the ground under the bushes is mulched with a peat layer, pine bark or coniferous litter.
Planting a rhododendron bush. Incorrect: in the left picture, the root collar is high above the ground; in the center - too deep. In the picture on the right - the correct fit
It is better to plant rhododendron in spring. The distance between tall bushes is 2 m, for medium-sized bushes 1-1.5 m, for low-growing ones 0.7-1 m.
Reproduction
Wild species reproduce by seeds, and varietal by layering, dividing the bush and cuttings.
The seed method of reproduction of rhododendrons is the longest and most laborious. It is used in wild species or in breeding work. The collected seeds are stratified (cold).To do this, they are mixed with moistened sand or vermiculite and refrigerated for 1-2 months. After that, the achenes are washed from sand and kept for 10-12 hours in Epin's solution. The seeds are laid out (without deepening) on the surface of the substrate (3 parts of peat and 1 part of sand). At a temperature of + 15-20 ° C, seedlings will appear in a week. The flowering of bushes grown from seeds will have to wait from 3 to 10 years.
For grafting, semi-lignified branches are selected and cut into pieces of 5-7 cm. The lower oblique cut is dipped into a root stimulator (root, heteroauxin) and planted in a substrate of peat and sand. Cuttings take root at + 24 ° C.
Reproduction by layering is the easiest way to get new specimens of rhododendron. To do this, a shallow groove is made next to the bush, which is filled with nutrient soil. Several small cuts are made on a young branch, bent down and placed in a groove, pinned with hooks to the ground. After that, the branch is sprinkled on top with sand mixed with peat. During the growing season, the ground underneath is moistened. Young plants are separated from the mother shrub the following spring and transplanted to a permanent place.
Reproduction by layering
Dividing a bush is another simple procedure for propagating rhododendrons. The bush is dug up and divided into parts. Young bushes will begin to bloom 2-3 years after planting.
Main types and varieties with photos
Bearded irises
By the shape of the flower, root irises are divided into beardless and bearded. Bearded got this name for the presence of hairy hairs on the surface of the petals. They have their own classification (medium-sized, standard medium-sized, medium-sized binder, tall, border, small-flowered medium-sized, miniature dwarf, standard dwarf, arylbreds, table, arylbreds and aryls, aryl-like arylbreds and aryls, non-aryl-like aryls). However, only scientists use such a classification, and ordinary gardeners know these plants as bearded irises of various sizes.
Iris german
The tall bearded iris is also called Germanic. This plant has several hundred different varieties and is the most popular of all bearded irises. The most popular varieties are: Baltic Sea - a strong corrugated flower with an intense blue color and blue barbs; Bewilderbest - corrugated flowers are painted in burgundy-reddish-cream color, and on the surface there are streaks and stripes of whitish and yellow colors; Acoma - sky blue with ivory and lavender border. It is very popular in America.
Non-bearded irises
The same irises include: Japanese, spuria, Californian, Siberian, Louisiana, marsh, as well as other irises (interspecific and specific). The most popular in mid-latitudes are:
Siberian iris
It can be painted in various shades from deep purple to blue. However, at the moment there are about 1,000 different varieties, the color of which can be very different. For example, white Snow Queen; Betts & Suga has a yellow color and a whitish border; the Imperial Opal bush reaches a height of 80 centimeters, and its lavender-pink flowers have a diameter of about 10 centimeters. The flowers of such a plant are very beautiful, but they have no smell.
Japanese iris (Kempflera, xiphoid)
Orchid-shaped flowers are very large (up to 25 centimeters in diameter), and they are devoid of aroma. Thanks to breeders in Japan, terry (also called hana-shobu) and multi-petal Japanese iris were born. But these species are not resistant to frost. For middle latitudes it is recommended to choose: "Nessa-No-Mai" - the diameter of whitish-purple flowers can reach 23 centimeters; "Solveig" - flowers are painted in a pale lilac color; "Vasily Alferov" - non-double flowers have an ink color.
Iris spuria
A very graceful plant similar to the bulbous iris xyphyum, but it stands out for its large size. Not afraid of drought and frost. The most spectacular varieties: Lemon Touch - lacy lemon-yellow flowers have a signal of dark golden color, the height of the bush is up to 100 centimeters; Transfiguration - a bush can also reach 100 centimeters in height, the color of the flowers varies from blue-violet to dark purple, the signal is bronze; Stella Irene - the bush reaches 90 centimeters in height, the black-purple flowers have a small golden signal.
Marsh iris (pseudoair)
This species, unlike others, prefers to grow only in moist soil. Flowers can be painted in various shades of yellow, and it is most often used to decorate artificial reservoirs. The most popular varieties are: "Golden Queen" - yellow flowers; "Flore Pleno" - has double flowers; "Umkirch" pink color.
Depending on the color of the flowers, the varieties are divided into:
- monochromatic - all lobes have the same color;
- two-tone - the lobes located at the bottom and at the top are painted in different shades of the same color;
- two-color - the color of the lower and upper lobes is different;
- variegata - lobes are yellow from above, and reddish-brown from below;
- amena - the upper lobes are white;
- bordered or plikata - there is a border of a contrasting color either on all lobes, or only on the lower ones;
- iridescent - the transition from one color shade to another is very smooth.
Bloom
When and how it blooms. Rhododendron Cunninghams White blooms in April - May. They bloom profusely, some varieties can bloom a second time, in the middle of autumn. This variety blooms more abundantly in autumn, in spring the flowering is not so exuberant.
Care before and after flowering - features. During bud formation, the temperature should be reduced to 10 - 12 ° C. After flowering, young, highly branching shoots must be thinned out to maintain the shape of the bush. Cut off shoots - cuttings are used for further propagation
It is recommended to remove old inflorescences.
IMPORTANT: During flowering, it is not recommended to spray the flowers themselves, so as not to burn them with the sun.
What to do if it doesn't bloom. The cause may be a substrate not suitable for rhododendron cunninghams white
Perhaps an overabundance of light is the reason for the delay in flowering, you should shade the bushes or transplant to more secluded places. Fertilizers should not contain much nitrogen, especially in summer and autumn. With improper nutrition, there is an excessive growth of shoots, but the buds are not laid.
You also need to inspect the bushes for the presence of parasites and pests. The flowers may be lacking moisture. Watering needs to be adjusted.
The best types and varieties of rhododendrons: photo and description
In the middle lane, two types of rhododendrons - Daurian and Canadian - successfully settle down on the personal plot.
Daursky is a shrub with a height of 2 m or more, the branches are directed upward, the leaves are small, leathery, some of the leaves remain for the winter. In spring, it blooms before the leaves bloom.
As you can see in the photo, this type of rhododendron has funnel-shaped flowers, large (up to 4 cm), pink-purple:
Flowering lasts up to one month, in autumn it can bloom again again. It grows slowly. Very winter-hardy. Easily propagated by green cuttings.
Canadian - undersized, deciduous shrub, no more than 1 meter high, leaves up to 6 cm long. Pink-purple flowers up to 5 pieces on short branches. Winter-hardy. It grows and develops well even in the northern regions. Advice: which of the summer residents has hives, the rhododendron is not grown or the plants are covered with a thin covering material during flowering (up to 18 hours).
The following varieties are suitable for central Russia:
Evergreens:
katevbinsky, short-fruited,
largest, dense,
Smirnova, rusty,
sea buckthorn, golden.
Deciduous:
Daurian, Ledebour,
Kamchatka, Canadian,
Schlippenbach, Japanese.
Low-growing:
dense, Kamchatka,
Caucasian, gorgeous.
Photophilous:
Kamchatka, golden,
Schlippenbach, attractive,
rusty, Caroline.
Shade-tolerant:
Ledebour, Caucasian,
daursky, Smirnova, sea buckthorn.
Early flowering:
daurian, canadian, sea buckthorn,
Schlippenbach, golden.
Late blooming:
short-fruited, Caucasian,
the largest, rusty.
These photos show varieties of rhododendrons of various types:
In indoor conditions, the species A. Sims (R. simsii), which was previously called the Indian azalea, is most often grown. The best varieties of rhododendrons can be divided into early flowering (November, December) and late flowering (February - April).
Look at the photo of the rhododendrons, the description of which is given above:
Care
Seat selection
Rhododendron Helici is best planted in the north-western part of the garden, the variety is very sensitive to the bright sun, leaves can burn. It is better to place the flower in a semi-shady, windless place or in the shade of deciduous and coniferous trees.
What should be the soil?
The soil for the Helicki rhododendron should be sufficiently moist, loose, acidic. The root is shallow, not deep, loosening is not desirable. It is better to remove weeds by hand. Soil composition:
- Coniferous litter.
- Leafy land.
- Peat.
The ratio is 1: 3: 2. Drainage and mulching are required.
Before planting, add 50-60 g of mineral fertilizer to the entire planting hole for effective rooting.
Landing
Rhododendron Helici is planted in spring or autumn. Planting stages:
Dig a hole 50 cm deep and at least 60 cm wide.
At the bottom of the hole, it is important to place a layer of drainage of sand and pebbles 10-15 cm thick.
Planting bushes are located at a distance of 1.5 - 2 m from each other.
Pour the substrate into the hole, slightly tamping it.
They do not deeply deepen the root - the substrate is covered up to the level of the root collar.
Water the seedling abundantly.
Mulch 5 - 6 cm thick is scattered around the bush.
The composition of the mulch is most suitable for rhododendron - pieces of pine bark, pine needles and peat.
Temperature
The most optimal temperature at the time of bud ripening is -12 - 15 ° C. Hellicki rhododendron belongs to varieties that are characterized by winter hardiness and can withstand winter temperatures up to - 35 ° C
Watering
In summer, abundant watering is required; excessive drying of the soil is unacceptable. To maintain the tone of the leaves, good air humidity, spraying is required in the heat. In winter, watering is carried out only in dry weather as needed.
It is recommended to water with clean, rain or settled, acidified water. You can acidify the water with a weak solution of sphagnum peat - after soaking a small amount of it for a day in a container with water.
It is necessary to avoid stagnant water - the flower does not tolerate waterlogging as well as drought.
Top dressing
Immediately after planting, the Helicki rhododendron requires feeding. Top dressing is needed for both young plants and adult flowering bushes.
Fertilize during flowering with potassium sulfate, calcium or ammonium in small quantities.
Young seedlings are fertilized with weak fertilizer solutions, doses should be reduced. Immediately after wintering and after flowering, you need to feed the weakened bushes with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. In the middle of summer, feeding is reduced, the dose is halved. Adult bushes are fed with compost or humus mixed with peat 1: 1, the mixture is spread around the bush.
Pruning
Rhododendron Helliki is pruned to rejuvenate the bush, to cleanse damaged branches. To form a beautifully growing crown, the tops are cut off from strong shoots. After 20 - 30 days, new buds will begin to break through and new shoots will germinate.
Places of cuts should be treated with garden varnish for disinfection. Pruning should be done in early spring, before the sap flow begins.
Transfer
Hellicki's rhododendron transplant is usually carried out in the spring.
This variety is quite tolerant to transplanting, quickly adapts.Transplant substrate: a mixture of sour peat, sand and sawdust in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
We watch a video on how to properly transplant a rhododendron:
How to prepare for winter?
This variety does not require shelter for the winter.
It is important to lay a good layer of mulch and water abundantly before frosting to avoid winter drying out of the substrate. In the spring, from the first burning rays of the Hellicki rhododendron, it is necessary to shade
Care
Plant care is within the power of even beginners in floriculture. In order to prevent overheating and drying out of the soil, mulching is carried out. In the summer, do frequent spraying. For irrigation, rainwater is preferable, without excess salts. Young plants (up to 3 years old) are covered with spruce branches for the winter. Rhododendron Scarlet Vander is able to endure frosts down to -24C without loss.
Fertilize the bush infrequently. In the spring, 1 bucket of humus is added to the soil, as well as a solution of superphosphate, potassium sulfate and ammonium sulfate in a ratio of 1: 1.5: 2. The rose tree is re-fed after flowering with a mixture of potash fertilizer with phosphate fertilizer (1: 1). Such feeding promotes lush flowering the next year. Frequent fertilization of the soil can be harmful to the plant. Shoots grow rapidly and are subject to frostbite in winter.
Scarlet Wonder Rhododendron is disease resistant. Alkaline soils can trigger chlorosis. For recovery, it is necessary to regularly acidify the soil. Powdery mildew is a danger to the plant. Outwardly, it appears as a white bloom on the vegetative part of the bush. To preserve the rhododendron, diseased branches must be urgently removed. An effective method is spraying with the chemicals Score 250 EC, Discus 500 WG, Nimrod 250 EC or Saprol 190.
Scarlet Wonder rosewood will flower for at least 30 years with the right care and attention.
Rhododendron: care (photo)
In the summer, caring for rhododendrons is pretty simple. It consists in watering, spraying and removing wilted inflorescences, weeding, and crown formation.
Rhododendrons love high humidity. In hot summers it should be watered regularly and abundantly. River or rainwater is best suited for this. Tap water or artesian water is not suitable for this because of the content of calcium and magnesium salts, as a result of which decorativeness is reduced in rhododendrons. Water for irrigation must be acidified with citric acid (3-4 g / 10 l of water), table vinegar (100 ml per bucket of water) or sulfuric acid electrolyte (10-20 ml per bucket of water). Sulfuric acid is preferred because rhododendrons respond well to sulfur. Each adult bush needs 15 liters of water 2-3 times a week, and for young plants 5 liters after 3-4 days.
In order for the flowering of the bush to be abundant next year, wilted inflorescences are removed this year.
When weeding weeds, they are pulled out without digging, so as not to damage the root system of the rhododendron located close to the soil surface.
To form a lush crown in rhododendrons, pinching of young shoots is done. This procedure begins to be carried out for 2-3 years of the growing season of the plant. On old bushes, only sanitary pruning is done, in which, along with diseased branches, shoots growing inside the crown are removed. All wounds, in order to avoid the penetration of infections into them, are covered with garden varnish or varnish-balsam
Deciduous rhododendrons in the middle climatic zone tolerate wintering better than evergreens. For example, in such species of rhododendron as Japanese, yellow, Daurian, Schlippenbach, only the root collar is covered for the winter.
Evergreen rhododendrons (Caucasian, Katebinsky) need shelter. This is done when the air temperature drops below -10 ° C, otherwise the bark neck will undermine. Arched frames are placed over the bush and covered with lutrasil on top.
Rhododendrons sheltered for the winter
Rhododendron bushes are opened in the spring when the soil warms up.
Correct planting and caring for Daurian rhododendron (wild rosemary)
For the first time, the shrub began to grow back in the Ice Age. Now there are nature reserves in which this plant is protected by the Law. It grows well both in natural conditions and in personal plots.
Dahurian rhododendron plant is resistant to frost. The popular name is Ledum, given because of the similarity of the leaves. The botanical name appeared from the territory of Transbaikalia, where the Daurs lived.
Daurian rhododendron, grows up to three meters high. It is found in Siberia, Altai in Transbaikalia, as well as in China, on the territory of Manchuria, Karelia and in the Far East.
Rhododendron is easy to care for and easy to plant. Flowering begins in April and lasts up to 40 days. The flowers are lush. The ends of the branches are decorated with flower umbrellas.
When and how to plant
Cut off the branches and plant. This is done like this: In winter, place the branch in a vase with warm water and wait for new shoots to appear for a week. Then create the necessary conditions and properly care for.
Planting a rhododendron is recommended in the spring.
First, prepare the hole by filling it with a prepared mixture of earth and peat, and cover it with compote from pine needles and sand. Make drainage 15 cm deep. Laying pebbles, broken brick on the bottom of the pit, mixing with sand.
When planting a plant, make sure that the root collar remains above the ground.
The first flowering begins at 5-6 years. To prolong flowering, remove faded buds.
Blooming rhododendron in the wild
Soil requirement
Fertilize the soil annually or every other year. To do this, take the compost and peat, one bucket at a time and pour it under the bush, on the near-stem area.
Soil composition with high acidity and with the presence of nutrients and air permeability.
Eliminate stagnant water in the ground. Rhododendron root does not like loamy soils.
Place for planting and care
It is best if the planting site is shaded and not exposed to strong winds.
Ornamental shrub requires easy care
It is important to fertilize, water and periodically remove weeds on time.
Since the root is located close to the surface of the earth, loosen the soil carefully. Do not cut the bush of a young plant
Otherwise, growth will slow down
Do not cut the bush of a young plant. Otherwise, growth will slow down.
Ledum sheds all old leaves before spring
In winter, the rhododendron is dormant and sheds its leaves. In the bark, the movement of the juice stops. Withstands frost up to 45 degrees. If it is higher, you will have to protect the bush by wrapping it with pine and spruce branches.
A young tree is best preserved in a greenhouse, covered with dry oak foliage.
Watering
You need to water the rhododendron once every two or three weeks, when there is a drought and extreme heat. The water is not chlorinated or hard. Better to use rainwater.
It is advisable to water with two buckets of water. Add vinegar or citric acid to soften and leave to brew.
Top dressing of the soil
When feeding, add mineral and organic fertilizers with the obligatory content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Do it after two or three years, only after flowering.
Do not exceed the dose of phosphoric acid, chlorine, lime. Do this after two or three years, only after flowering.
Experienced gardeners propagate rhododendron by cuttings or seeds. Planting in March or September.
Rhododendron cuttings
Dig up a young bush that has not bloomed. After harvesting, store the seeds in a closed jar, three years before planting. Sow in February or early March. Sprinkle on the surface of the ground and cover on top with a mixture of sand and peat. Top, pour rain or acidified water.
As soon as there are two or three leaves on the sprouts, remove the seedlings in a bright place at a temperature of 12 degrees. This will become hardening.
Propagation by cuttings from a bush is done in the middle of summer. Strong shoots 50 centimeters long are cut obliquely. Remove the leaves on the cuttings so that only two or three are left at the top.
After one and a half to two months, plant in pots and transfer to a cool place. In the spring, transplant the plant into open ground and leave there, in this place for 1 year.
Rhododendron application and function
Rhododendron flowers
The bushes of the Daurian rhododendron are becoming a decoration of gardens and parks. Therefore, they are used in landscape design.
Russian gardens have been decorating for two centuries. Popularity in the beauty of bloom.
Looks good in a group of other plants, such as: Japanese quince, lilac barberry. Grows in the shade, is not attacked by pests.
It is impossible to grow indoors.
You can do this in the rose garden. In this case, the shrub reaches a height of up to two meters and also blooms profusely.
Characteristic
We recommend that you familiarize yourself
The Scarlet Wonder rhododendron variety (Rhododendron Scarlet Wonder) appeared as a result of the work of German breeders in 1960. It is a creeping shrub with evergreen leaves. The leaves are round, shiny, dense. During growth, they change color from light to dark green. The length of the leaf plate is 3–7 cm.
The appearance of the rhododendron is distinguished by dwarfism and an overgrown crown. The plant grows in height very slowly. During the year it grows by only 6-7 cm. 10-year-old Scarlett Vander is only 0.6-0.7 m tall with a crown span of 1.4-1.5 m. The modest dimensions of the shrub allow it to be grown in containers with soil ( bowls, vases, pots, containers).
Scarlett Vander has bright scarlet flowers, shaped like bells. The petals are delicate to the touch, with wavy edges. Corolla diameter 5 cm. A group of 4-6 flowers forms an inflorescence. The flowering period is in May and lasts 22 days. At the end of it, fruit-boxes are formed, which should be removed.
