Photos of rhododendron varieties
We bring to your attention a photo of rhododendron varieties suitable for our climate.
"April Snow" (April Sno) - early flowering hybrid of the Daurian rhododendron. The flowers are snow-white, double. Densely branched bush up to 1.6 m high.
Rhododendron "Klondyke" ("Klondike") is a very bright variety. As you can see in the photo, this species of rhododendron has orange buds, fragrant, large, rich yellow flowers and crimson-red leaves. The height of the bush reaches 1.2-2 m.
"Liesma" ("Liesma") - a hybrid of the Japanese rhododendron. The flowers are very large, shiny, of a blazing salmon color. The bush is 1.2-2 m high.
"Mandarin Lights" ("Mandarin Lights") - with reddish-orange large flowers with a well-defined orange spot on the upper lobe, with 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 of lemon yellow color. The bush is 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 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 viable, but needs a reliable winter shelter, since the flower buds can withstand temperatures down to -21 ° C. The bush is 1.4-1.8 m high.
Not so extensive, but quite diverse and the choice among evergreen rhododendrons. The rivers have the highest winter hardiness. katevbinsky (Rh. catawbiense), p. short-fruited (Rh. brachycarpum) and p. Fori (Rh.fauriei), the latter is considered by some botanists to be a species of p. short-term.
Rhododendron Fori is a very winter-hardy species with large evergreen leaves. White flowers with a slightly noticeable pinkish and greenish speck on the upper petal are collected in spherical inflorescences. Plant height 1.5-2.5 m.
Accordingly, the hybrids of these species 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 a noticeably lower winter hardiness than the species.
If you grow Katevba 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 of plants, a relatively varied spectrum of coloration can be obtained.
Smirnov's rhododendron, r. largest, r. Yakushimsky, p. Metternich, r. Caucasian. However, their hardiness is lower, and problems can arise in severe winters. Accordingly, the hybrids of these varieties are quite winter-hardy. But among them, some varieties are capable of hibernating under cover, while others do not hibernate 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" (Pohjolaz Doute) often pleases only with decorative evergreen foliage, since the buds can withstand frosts down to -20 ... -23 ° C.
When choosing evergreen rhododendrons for your garden, do not forget about cute babies: p. coarse-haired (Rh.hirsutum), described below, p. dense (Rh. impeditum), p. equally high (Rh. fastigiatum), p. rusty (Rh. ferrugineum). These low, dense evergreen shrubs overwinter fairly well under the snow.
Rhododendron harsh-haired - a dense stocky 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 are dense and equal in height are distinguished by violet-blue flowers and a dense compact form. Bushes up to 0.7 m high
Their varieties are also resistant in culture, although here it is already worth exercising caution.
Biological description
According to the botanical description, the Schlippenbach rhododendron has bell-shaped flowers with a diameter of 8-15 cm, rarely single, more often collected in panicles of 3-6 pieces, sometimes bloom before the leaves. In modern varieties, the main color of the petals is pale pink, deep pink, white-pink, pale orange, pale carmine, white with purple specks at the base of the petals.
The flowering period in the Moscow region begins in mid-May, in Latvia and Finland in late May-early June and lasts 14-20 days, then capsules with small seeds are formed.
Important! Rhododendrons are poisonous plants due to their neurotoxin content, so you cannot brew tea, prepare infusions and decoctions from their flowers and dried leaves. Outstanding success in the selection and cultivation of rhododendrons was achieved at the University of Helsinki, in the botanical garden of which a collection of shrubs with high winter hardiness was collected, and the variety "University of Helsinki" tolerates frosts down to -40 ° C
Outstanding success in the selection and cultivation of rhododendrons was achieved at the University of Helsinki, in the botanical garden of which a collection of shrubs with high winter hardiness is collected, and the variety "University of Helsinki" tolerates frosts down to -40 ° C.
Variety "University of Helsinki"
Root system
In nature, the Schlippenbach rhododendron shrub is of small height up to 60 cm, and it settles on the dry rocky slopes of the mountains, which is why it is sometimes called the Alpine rose. Higher specimens of 2-3 m are found on the edges of forests with well-permeable soils. Rhododendron root creeping superficially at a depth of 6-10 cm with a large number of small suction roots. Therefore, the culture does not tolerate drying out of the soil.
Trunk and leaves
The stem and branches of Schlippenbach's rhododendron are bare, and a rosette of elongated shiny leaves with an even or slightly wavy edge is located at the very top. The shrub does not grow rapidly, in one season it grows by 4-10 cm and at 10 years its height does not exceed 1 m.
Schlippenbach rhododendron bush at 10 years old
Growing conditions and care
The deciduous rhododendron is easy to handle and doesn't require too much effort. The tropical inhabitant prefers partial shade. There are varieties that can only survive in southern latitudes, they tolerate summer heat up to 30 ° C.
ATTENTION: In summer, daily watering and spraying. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in the early morning or after sunset.
In winter and autumn, watering is reduced.
Watering should be done over the entire surface of the substrate so that the roots are not washed out. In late autumn and winter, watering can only be done in dry weather. Deciduous rhododendrons must be protected from frost and wind in winter. It is advisable to mulch the soil around the root.
Hybrid views deciduous rhododendron from northern varieties more frost-resistant, they can withstand temperatures as low as -25 ° C. In snowy winters, they do not need to be covered. But soil mulching is a must. It is necessary to fertilize deciduous rhododendrons from the moment of flowering. Fertilizers should only be designed for acidic soils.
It is not recommended to feed and transplant deciduous rhododendron during the formation of the buds - there is a risk of their shedding.
It is advisable to fertilize the substrate 1.5 - 2 months before the onset of frost. It is better to cover almost all varieties of deciduous rhododendron for the winter, bending the branches to the soil so that the buds do not come into contact with it, an air cushion is needed
It is important to make an outflow for the incoming moisture in winter in order to avoid dangerous snow ice.
In summer, it is imperative to remove garden weeds. Mulching is desirable to be carried out 2 times a year, adding small coniferous bark or fallen coniferous needles. Such a shelter helps to maintain the moisture content of the substrate, preserves nutrients, and resists the growth of weeds. The mulch layer should be 5 to 6 cm thick. The root collar is usually covered with dry leaves, preferably oak leaves.
The transplant is carried out in early spring, it can be transplanted before and after flowering. When transplanting, the seedling is surrounded by a side of moss and coniferous needles, 10 cm high. Thus, snow is retained, which protects the roots from freezing.
Description of varieties and their photos
Amethyst
Low-growing evergreen shrub 40-50 cm high. Blooms in late May - early June. The flowers are delicate purple, light, not large, up to 3 cm in diameter. Inflorescences are formed from 3 - 5 flowers. Leaves on the inside are grayish green. Average frost resistance, withstand up to - 24 ° C in winter.
Grishtede
Evergreen undersized shrub, grows 80 - 90cm in height. The crown is dense, compact, grows up to 1 m wide. It blooms in early summer. With good care, it can bloom again in autumn. The flowers are small, up to 3 cm, dark purple with a blue tint. The leaves are elongated, oval, glossy, dark green. The variety is resistant to frost, but mulching and shelter for the winter is required.
Ramapo
The Latin name for this azalea variety is Rhododendron impeditum ramapo. A hybrid variety from America, bred in 1940. Naring. Dwarf evergreen shrub, height - 60 cm, large crown diameter - up to 2 m. The crown is flat. Blooms at the very beginning of May, flowering lasts 2 - 3 weeks. The flowers are small, deep purple in color, collected in groups of 3 - 5 flowers. The diameter of the flower is small, up to 2.5 cm.
The leaves are lanceolate, small, up to 3 cm long and 1 - 1, 5 cm wide. The structure of the leaves are leathery, shiny. Young leaves are gray-green, later acquire a bluish tint. This variety winters well under the snow without shelter, but mulching is mandatory.
Watch a video about how dense rhododendron blooms:
Blue Silver
The variety is called Blue Silver. Creeping shrub, branches intertwining, grows up to 90-100cm in height. It grows slowly. The flowers are star-shaped, at the beginning of flowering are pale pink, then the petals darken, become amethyst. The flowers are small - up to 2 - 3 cm. The stamens grow in a bunch. Average frost resistance, up to - 23 ºС in winter.
Blue Tit
An evergreen dense cushion-shaped shrub that grows up to 80 - 110 cm in height. It blooms in May, with good care, a second bloom is possible in early September. Stems are short, covered with black scales.
The leaves are small, up to 2 cm long, 1 cm wide, oblong, scaly on both sides. The flowers are small, purple with a blue tint, 2 cm in diameter. They are distinguished by lush flowering, tolerates winter well without shelter.
Azurika
A low-growing bush, its height is only 50cm. The first flowering occurs in May, the second in August. A very dense crown grows up to 1 m wide. Small gray leaves grow up to 1.5 - 2 cm in length. The flowers are dark, purple with a blue tint. Azuriki's winter hardiness is very high; soil mulching is required.
Billy novelty
An evergreen low bush has the shape of a sphere with a diameter of up to 50 cm. Flowering occurs in May, abundant. It blooms with miniature flowers, up to 1 cm in length, pale white. The leaves are small, dense, shiny, gray-green in color.Average frost resistance, dry shelter is required for the winter.
Disease and pest control
Rhododendrons are affected by many different insects. In order to prevent the death of plants, they must be constantly examined and at the first signs of the appearance of pests to fight them.
Insect pests of rhododendrons include:
- acacia false shield;
- spider mite;
- tobacco thrips;
- garden beetle;
- corrugated skosar;
- mole-miner;
- mealybug;
- rhododendron fly;
- blueberry moth;
- sawfly;
- whitefly;
To combat insects, they are treated with the following insecticides:
- contact: Clipper;
- contact-intestinal: Actellik, Intra-Vir, Karate, Karbofos;
- systemic: Bi-58, Aktara, Conifor.
The following diseases develop on rhododendrons:
- tracheomycosis causes root rot. The trees are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Patients - burn;
- late blight rot, gray, buds, seedlings and young growth. Copper preparations help to cope with all types of rot;
- Septoria spotting. Use Bordeaux liquid in the spring. In summer, fungicides Fundazol, Topaz, Gamair are used.
- Dying off of shoots. Most often occurs with plants planted in full shade. The affected parts are cut off and burned. The bushes are treated with preparations containing copper every 2 weeks.
- Root rot. It develops in waterlogged areas and insufficiently acidic soils. Infected rhododendrons burn, increase the acidity of the soil, regulate watering.
- Dry white rot of the root collar. At the first signs of this disease, the affected bushes are dug up and burned, and those located nearby are transplanted away, without covering the neck with mulch.
- Wax disease. The fungus that causes the disease dies during the spring treatment with Bordeaux liquid.
- Spotted spots: pestalocium, anthractosis, phylloctose. The fight against them consists in spraying plants in the spring with Bordeaux liquid, its substitutes - Cumulus. The affected parts are cut off and burned.
- Sheet mosaic. Diseased bushes are destroyed. To prevent the progression of the disease, insect vectors are fought.
- Rust. Spraying with preparations containing copper is carried out.
- Root system bacterial cancer. Severely affected plants are burned, the rest are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux liquid.
- Chlorosis. The bushes are sprayed with a mixture of iron and magnesium sulfate (7 g of the drug per 1 liter of water).
Rhododendron Ledebour is a beautiful early flowering plant that will decorate your garden. Proper care and attentive attitude will allow you to admire the beautiful flowering for many years.
1 Description
There are several hundred species of rhododendrons, which are plants of various sizes and shapes - from creeping to tall. There are deciduous and evergreen rhododendrons. In nature, they grow in the mountain forests of the Caucasus, Carpathians, Sayan. The homeland for many species is the Far East, including Kamchatka and the Kuriles. A huge variety of species of rhododendrons are represented in China and India.
The mountain slopes covered with flowering thickets are an unforgettable sight. All species have large flowers, which are even more noticeable due to the fact that they are collected in inflorescences with a bright and clear color.
