This information is provided as a free service to viewers. We do not sell these plants.
Overview
All species of rhododendron can be used as ornamental plants in landscaping. The large leafed rhododendrons add colour to a shaded woodland setting in spring and early summer.
Woody stemmed, hardy, evergreen shrubs with handsome, dark green foliage and profusely spectacular trusses of flowers. The leaves are generally broad, elipitical and leathery.The flowers come in a variety of colours, sizes and shapes including funnel, trumpet, tubular funnel, tubular and hose-in-hose.
There are thousands of hybrids that have been created in recent years, each sharing much the same characteristics so we present them all within this one entry, with photo captions providing extra individual information.
Soil: Well-drained soil with high organic matter content is important. Rhododendron prefer a soil that is slightly acid and ensure there is a good layer of mulch to maintain moisture levels. The biggest problems with azalea are due to poor drainage causing the roots to rot or lack of water causing the roots to dry out. Careful selection of the appropriate still and good preparation of the soil before planting will greatly increase the plant's chance of thriving.
Maintenance: It has a shallow root system so keep the roots moist by mulching well with compost and other leaf matter, or grass. Feed with an Azalea or Rhododendron formulation (they have no lime). Trim off spent flower heads and water well in summer - a long, slow drink is always better than a quick squirt.
Diseases: Lace bugs
Other Species: 800 species in all and ever increasing numbers of hybrids - here are just a select few:-
Rhododendron, Anah Kruschke
Rhododendron, Anica Bricogne
Rhododendron, Bibiani
Rhododendron, Black Prince
Rhododendron, Blue Admiral
Rhododendron, Bronze Wing
Rhododendron, Christmas Cheer
Rhododendron, Chrysomanicum
Rhododendron, Claire
Rhododendron, Colonel Coen
Rhododendron, Countess of Normington
Rhododendron, Dorinthia
Rhododendron, Elegans
Rhododendron, Fireman Jeff
Rhododendron, Furnivals Daughter
Rhododendron, Jean Marie De Montague
Rhododendron, Kallista
Rhododendron, Kate
Rhododendron, Medusa
Rhododendron, Midnight
Rhododendron, Mount Everest
Rhododendron, Mrs Charles E Pearson
Rhododendron, Mrs G W Leak
Rhododendron, Ponticum
Rhododendron, President Rooseveldt
Rhododendron, Purple Splendour
Rhododendron, Ross Maude
Rhododendron, Saffron Queen
Rhododendron, Sappho
Rhododendron, Sir Robert Peel
Rhododendron, Toolangi Ruby
Rhododendron, Unique
Rhododendron, Van
Rhododendron, Wedding Gown
Rhododendron, White Flare
Rhododendron, White Pearl
Rhododendron, Winsome
Comments: Name in Greek means Rose Tree.
Author: Bob Saunders.