Hobby gardeners often differentiate between the large Rhodes with flower balls and the small ones with countless individual flowers. Professionals only speak of the genus rhododendron. It starts with meter-high specimens such as Cunnighams White and ends with ground-covering specimens with flowers the size of a fingernail to - such as the Germania variety - football-sized flower balls.
also read
- Making rhododendrons hardy is worth it ...
- First select the correct rhododendron location, then plant
- Remove rhododendron flowers, why?
Recommendations on rhododendron varieties and species
With a clever choice and combination of varieties, constantly blooming rhododendrons can be presented from March to June.
Rhododendron hybrids
The classic type of rhododendron varieties and species are the large-flowered hybrids. These are shrubs up to five meters with large, dark green foliage. Their leaves are larger than those of other hybrids.
Two-tone and orange varieties are particularly popular at the moment. When looking for new varieties, the eye falls on beautiful foliage, compact growth and fragrance. They originated from numerous species such as
- Rhododendron ponticum
- Rhododendron catawbiense
of which they Properties like hardy, undemanding, dense growth, closed inflorescence and healthy foliage inherited. They are used as solitary or group plants in gardens and parks. Some varieties are also suitable for free-growing or strictly trimmed hedges. For example:
- Cunningham’s White
- Roseum Elegans
- Catawbiense grandiflorum
Yakushimanum hybrids
Compared to the large-flowered hybrids, the Yakashimanum hybrids are small-growing rhododendrons with broad, spherical, but compact growth up to approx. 1 m in height and a dense set of flowers.
They are ideal for smaller gardens. Some varieties bloom pink in full bloom and white when blooming - a fascinating interplay ...
On their home island of Yaku-Shima, the original form of the Yakashimanum hybrids grows at an altitude of 1500-1900 m. There, felty hair developed on the younger shoots as protection from the sun and cold. These varieties can withstand a lot more sun!
Tips & Tricks
For a number of years there have been varieties that grow and thrive in soils with a higher pH value. They are called lime-tolerant and sold under the name INKARHO.
