Laurelle's Favourite Rhododendrons - Part One
With a plant group as large and diverse as Rhododendrons, its sometimes hard to figure out where to start. In this post, I've decided to list a few of my favourite Rhododendrons, 5 tried and true classics. Part Two of this series will be posted in a couple of days - so check back soon!
So without further ado ... let's showcase a few of my favourites!
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Rhodendron ‘Teddy Bear’This a great little compact Rhodo with bubblegum pink buds opening to a soft pinky white in mid April. It is a Yakushimanum hybrid and has the fuzzy undersides to the leaves in what else but teddy bear brown of course. It grows to about 3 feet by 3 feet in 10 years. |
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Rhodendron ‘GartinDirecktor Glocker’This Rhodo is a real eyecatcher from the fuschia buds which open to rose pink blooms with darker edges in May to the bronzy young foliage to the deep green glossy mature foliage. ‘Gartindirector Glocker’ is an asset to a garden at any time of year. It has a tidy mounding habit to about 2 ½ to 3 feet in 10 years. |
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Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’You didn’t think I would do a Rhodo piece with out Dora did you? Icy pale pink buds…lots of them, open to breathtaking white softly scented blooms in April. As with many white blossoms they will show weather damage easily so when Dora is in bloom take a bit of time and enjoy the show while you have it. Another tidy plant will grow 3 feet by 3 feet in 10 years. |
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Rhododendron 'Baden Baden'It’s the stubby little leaves with a twist that I love so much about this variety. They are a deep rich green and have a fascinating little habit that makes this variety one of the ones I can identify at 20 paces bloom or no bloom. The blooms are a waxy bright cherry red and cover this fat little plant. It tends to grow wider rather than tall...a bit like me. Growing to 2 feet in height by 3 feet wide at the 10year mark. |
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Rhododendron 'Nancy Evans'I love this plant for the ‘change-up’ pitch it throws. Deep orangy red buds open to bright yellow blossoms late April early May. I planted a grouping of Nancy Evans for one friend after the blossoms were done. She called me the following April to say I’d planted the wrong colour as I told her it was a butter yellow Rhodo. I chuckled and said to call me in a week. She phoned back in a week laughing! ‘Nancy Evans’ grows to about 5 feet by 5 feet in 10 years. |
Rhododendron Planting & Care
Rhododendrons are best planted in part shade. Most will tolerant a significant amount of sun if the soil is kept on the moist side. A location that is moist, but well drained is preferred. Rhododendrons also like an acidic soil. Avoid using bonemeal when planting. Instead use a liquid transplant fertilizer to encourage rooting. Prune after flowering if required. Deadheading spent flowers is also recommended. Rhododendrons are shallow rooted so avoid cultivating near them. Apply a Rhododendron fertilizer once a year before flowering. If you have any other questions about Rhododendrons, please do not hesitate to call or visit us. We stock hundreds of varieties in many sizes with the best selection being available in spring as new stock arrives.