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Family description Rhododendron.

Rhododendrons are usually a small to medium sized evergreen shrub/tree. They are slow growing when young, and fussy about the soil conditions. If your soil is chalky they are best avoided, or kept in containers as they also tend to be expensive plants. The large flowers appear in May - June and are available in most colours. Several pests and diseases afflict the Rhododendron. Vine weevil can be troublesome when the plants are grown as feature displays in pots and may even kill a small bush, but they rarely do much damage to established shrubs planted in the ground. Scale insects may infect even quite large shrubs, causing sooty mould to grow on the leaves and generally marring the plants beauty. Other troubles, although less common are Honey fungus (Mushrooms), and several virus infections. If the soil conditions are not quite right for the plants, a condition known as chlorosis will occur, with the leaves looking sickly yellow instead of the usual green. If this is severe, the plant may have to be moved to another site, but watering with sequestered iron solution might be sufficient for a small plant. Mulch heavily with peat, compost or manure over the rooting area.

General care.

During the winter months, it is important to mulch the rooting area with acidic humus such as peat, garden compost or manure, to prevent chlorosis developing. After flowering is finished, the seed heads should be gently pinched out, taking care not to snap off next years buds which should already be making an appearance. This is a job best done with fingers and thumbs and is only practical on smaller shrubs. Pruning is not generally required, but if the bushes are getting too large or leggy, then they can be cut back fairly hard in early spring.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

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Species description. Rhododendron Hybrid.

There are a vast number of hybrid Rhododendrons many of which are of parents unknown. All typified by extremely large and profuse flowers in many colours.

Display characteristics for Rhododendron Hybrid.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Evergreen
• Habit: Rounded
• Type: Tree. Shrub.
• Height: 6.00 mtr.
• Spread: 4.00 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Min: 4.5   Max: 5.5
• Suitable position: Open ground. Border. Container.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Low
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: -20 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Medium
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Low
• Waterlogging tolerance: Low
• Toxicity-Edibility: Moderate illness possible
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
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