Each owner of a garden or summer cottage seeks to decorate it. The handsome rhododendron is one of the first in terms of ease of planting and care. This shrub belongs to the heather family. The trunk stiffens in the second year after planting. The leaves are lush, oblong, rounded, with one characteristic point on the crown. Flowers are formed on the tops of shoots and look like a concave five-pointed star.
General information
Rhododendron was first described in the mid-17th century. The name "rosewood" was obtained not due to its resemblance to roses, but for the rich pink color, the shades of which change as the flowering continues. Nevertheless, by 2019, rhododendron varieties were bred, the color of which can be both dark red and lilac. Speckled varieties also appeared.
Rhododendron Yakushimansky
Rhododendrons from the mountain peaks were brought. Depending on the variety, the height of the shrub can vary from 10 cm to 10 m. More than 15 species of rhododendron are found on the territory of Russia. Some of these shrubs have medicinal properties, while other honey can poison a person.
Rhododendron Yakushimansky (Yakushimansky - the second variant of writing) was brought to Russia and Europe from Japan, from the island of Yakushima. A characteristic feature of this variety is frost resistance. Many varieties withstand up to -30 ° C. The bush reaches a height of 100 cm, a width of 150 cm.
Rhododendron is evergreen, and has another characteristic characteristic of its subspecies: when cold weather sets in, its leaves slide into a tube. This is a protective reaction of the plant from hypothermia.
For reference! Breeders are actively experimenting with the Yakushimansky rhododendron, trying to develop frost-resistant varieties.
Subspecies of the Yakushiman Rhododendron
According to flowering, characteristics of the bush, the structure of leaves and root system, rhododendron Yakushimansky is divided into subspecies. Details of each variety should be considered in more detail.
Percy Wiseman Rhododendron
Rhododendron Percy Wiseman is a fast-growing compared to his counterparts.
In height reaches 130 cm, adding 10-15 cm per year.
Compact, ideal for flower beds, rock gardens or hedges. The endings of the shoots are decorated with bouquets of up to 15 flowers, white with a pink trim.
Mist Maiden
Mist Maiden Rhododendron, is one of the most enduring shrubs of this species.
Unlike its counterparts, who are wary of sunlight, Mist Maiden on the light side blooms much more magnificent and more abundant. Thanks to the villi on the bottom of the leaf, this variety of rhododendron is able to independently provide itself with most of the moisture.
In height, an adult shrub can reach 1.5 meters, but grows very slowly.
The flowers have a bright pink color at the beginning of flowering, towards the finish they turn white.
Rhododendron Carolina Albrook
Rhododendron Carolina Albrook has the correct spherical shape.
Shrub rarely reaches a height of 100 cm in height, however, young shoots grow quickly.
The flowering is plentiful, lush. The color of the buds is light purple. By the end of flowering, they become white. Prefers freshness and timely, moderate watering.
Carolina Albrook
Silver lady
The "Silver Lady" has pale pink flowers that, when fully blossomed, are sprinkled with yellow drops.
The bush looks right, dense in structure. The leaves are dark green, fleshy, with a fringe on the inside. By its description, it is very similar to a rhododendron flav.
Attention! Even in the first years after planting, this variety pleases the gardener's eye with abundant flowering.
Rhododendron Kalinka
The largest and soonest tall variety of rhododendrons of Yakushimansky. Reaches a height of 200 cm in the first decade.
Inflorescences are large, pale pink. The variety was bred by European selectors, therefore, has increased resistance to frost and sunlight.
In preparation for winter, it is recommended to strengthen the shoots from the snow.
Rhododendron yakushimanum fantastica
Rhododendron is a fantasy Yakushimansky, whose winter hardiness is well known, usually reaches a height of 80-90 cm.
The flowers are bright pink, towards the middle of the flower they turn whitish. It blooms luxuriantly and abundantly. Ideal for creating hedges.
Mix
The adult plant reaches a height of 220 cm. It blooms profusely, painting the bush in white, pink or blue. The edges of the petals are wavy. The leaves are thick, dark green. Flowers in inflorescence from 5 to 7 pieces.
Hoppy
The height of an adult plant is 1.2 m.
Abundant, lush flowering. White-pink flowers with golden splashes. Large buds with corrugated edges.
Frost-resistant and hardy.
Rhododendron blurettia
Rhododendron blurette is small, compact in size. It is distinguished by large, heavy leaves reaching a length of 15 cm.
It blooms profusely, with a bright crimson hue, turning to light in the middle of the flower. The edges of the buds are wavy.
Bluretta
Lumina
The lumin variety differs from its counterparts in spherical inflorescences.
The bush itself grows no more than 90 cm, the leaves are fleshy, long, pointed. The flowers have a bright pink fringe, the middle of the flower is white, with frequent red blotches.
Schneecrone
Rhododendron Yakushimansky Schneekron grows slowly. Dome shape.
The flowers are white or pale pink. Sometimes there are bright yellow blotches. The bush is not high. The leaves are dense, evergreen.
Emanuela
In height, the bush of this variety reaches 1.1 m.
The flowers are dark red in the corrugated edges, in the middle they turn white. Lush flowering, from May to June. The leaves are narrow, leathery, long.
Hummingbird
It grows slowly, in height over 10 years reaches 85 cm, in width 125. Shrub spherical, regular shape.
Flowers of a gentle pink shade with contrasting splashes of white and dark pink. Blooms profusely, prefers partial shade.
Morgenroth
The shape of the bush is rounded, slightly crushed. Reaches 100 cm in height.
Lush, plentiful flowers have a bright red color with a pink tint.
Attention! The peculiarity of this variety is that flowering occurs at an early age.
Morgenroth
Doc
The bush grows slowly, reaching adulthood at a height of 120 cm in adulthood.
It blooms in bright, saturated pink. The buds are large, up to 10 flowers. Lush and bright flowering. Suitable for organizing hedges.
Isadora
This shrub variety is very similar to rhododendron rose wolves. Adults grow to 120 cm.
Blooms in large flowers with fringe around the edges. The leaves are fleshy, with frequent villi on the underside.
Golden Torch
Up to 0.7 m high, the bush has pink and white flowers.
In the process of flowering, they burn out to a golden hue, for this reason this variety of rhododendron got its name "Golden Torch".
Golden Torch
Description of planting and care of shrubs
Unlike other species of this plant, the rhododendron Yakushimansky blooms much brighter and more intense. In addition, this type of plant is more resistant to diseases and low temperatures. Moreover, rhododendron Yakushimansky is a medicinal plant. Tincture from its leaves is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, colds.
When decorating a garden or summer cottage, this shrub will become indispensable and relevant for any design incarnations. Rhododendron is great for rock gardens, making hedges. It also fits perfectly into the frame of a decorative pond.
This beautiful and useful shrub propagates in several ways:
- layering;
- by seeds;
- cuttings;
- division of the root system.
To propagate the plant by layering, it is necessary to cut the lower branch in early spring and place in nutrient soil. By mid-summer, the prepared branch will give roots. Then you can separate it from the bush and dig it into a new place of residence.
Seeds are prepared from the previous season and planted in spring. Pre-soaked in water.
Cuttings occur in the traditional way - branches are cut, 5-10 cm long with several buds, and placed in a nutrient medium.
The division of the root system should take place with minimal damage. After separation, the plant returns to normal within 2-3 years.
Important! Shrub planting should occur in early April or late autumn.
An earthen lump must be maintained on the planting material. Before planting, it must be placed in water for several minutes. But if buds have already appeared on the seedlings, then after planting they must be plucked.
Rhododendron prefers acidic soil. If there is no certainty that this is exactly the area, you can acidify it yourself with fertilizers. Most varieties do not like places that are too sunny or windy. From the sun, the bush can get burns and wither. The root system of the plant is superficial, therefore, it is impossible to loosen it in any case. Weeds must also be removed carefully.
Water the adult shrub 2-3 times a week, abundantly. Can be mulched with sawdust. The plant is usually fed three times a season.
For the winter, it is not necessary to cover the bush, the varieties of rhododendron of Yakushimansky are winter tolerant. In rare cases, they need to cover the roots with spruce branches.
The plant is resistant to external stimuli and is little susceptible to disease and pest attacks. With proper care, rhododendron will be healthy and resistant to disease. But sometimes the bush can be attacked by pests - bed bugs and spider mites can cause some inconvenience. You can get rid of them by specialized means, for example Diazinon or Keltan emulsion.
Important! If rhododendron is poorly restored after hibernation, the leaves are folded into a tube for a long time, then urgent moistening of the bush is necessary.
There may also be trouble due to improper care of the plant. Violation of the irrigation system is indicated by signs such as falling buds or poor leaf development. In the first case, it means that the plant is thirsty, in the second it is flooded. If the flowering is weak and not lush, this means that rhododendron needs minerals.
With proper care, the design of the site will be decorated with extraordinary beauty by a bush for many years. And, of course, will be the envy of all friends and neighbors.
