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RHODODENDRON ORBICULARE : Thrives in the coolheaded summer and balmy winters at the RSBG . Native to the remote misty flock of the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve in Sichuan , China , where it flourishes deep in the forests alongside bamboo . photograph by : Andrew Drake .
For variety of size , form , foliage and heyday colour , it is hard to imagine any other group of plant matching rhododendrons and azaleas . We all know about the spectacular garden hybrid with their blind colors and Brobdingnagian flower heads . But there is another remarkable mathematical group recognise as specie rhododendrons , groundless plants found develop naturally in the forests and mountains of the mankind , many of which make outstanding garden plant . One of the well place to see them is the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way , Washington , which contains one of the largest collections of rhododendrons worldwide .
AppealThousands of variant with a virtually limitless palette of flowered color blooming from late wintertime into belated summer . Some case are fragrant . The foliation of many species is extremely strange and attractive , providing year - cycle interest .
ZonesEasy to grow in coolheaded - summer / mild - winter regions , Zones 5 to 9 . Outside of these regions , it is still potential to grow many kind if upkeep is taken to select the appropriate cultivars or metal money . The RSBG is considered Zone 8 .
ExposureIn general , rhododendrons take a bright but not - too - hot exposure with low ground temperatures . Exceptions are the tiny - leaved alpine and gnome mintage , which are good in bright sunlight .
RHODODENDRON DAVIDSONIANUMANDR . AUGUSTINII : Two of the fine and leisurely mintage to acquire in their color classes , the abstruse pink of the former contrasts brilliantly with the lilac blue of the latter . Photo by : Andrew Drake .
SoilExcellent drain in an organic forest soil or in a sandy ground that has been meliorate with bark or other organic matter . In heavier and clay soil , plant in promote bed .
CareWater through dry periods . unconstipated mulching with constitutional cloth means extra fertilizer is normally unnecessary . If the industrial plant seem unhealthy , it is commonly because of poor drainage .
DESIGNING WITH RHODIES
learn on to discover a appeal of dotty rhodies that make great garden plants :
Photo by : Andrew Drake .
RHODODENDRON WILLIAMSIANUM
Easy in sun or shade , this species is slow - growing enough to civilise as a specimen in a large container .
RHODODENDRON AUGUSTINII
Large - grow mintage with lilac - blueish flush , worthy for sunlight or shade . It can be selectively cut back to thin its size . pick out forms have flowers near to true blue than almost any other rhododendron . Hardy to 0 degrees .
RHODODENDRON CALENDULACEUM
Famous flame azalea native to the forests of the Appalachian Mountains . Brightly colored blossoms hap naturally in blazing shades of red-faced , orange and yellow . Tough , brave , deciduous mintage well - adapt to garden , perform attractively in sun or light shade . Hardy in Zones 5 to 8 .
RHODODENDRON DEGRONIANUMSSP.YAKUSHIMANUM
A perfect garden flora and probably the most popular and wide grown species in the world . Native to Japan with a dwarf mound habit to 3 feet , leafage that is thickly haired or “ indumented ” on the folio bottom and perfect Malus pumila - blossom - pink flowers fade to pure white . Used extensively in hybridise program . Relatively stale and heat tolerant . Hardy to -15 degrees .
RHODODENDRON KEISKEI
Extremely variable , aboriginal to Japan , and , like many plants from that region , it is well - accommodate to cultivation in East Coast garden . The pallid yellow flowers of the larger growing mannikin glisten in the woodland garden , while a diminutive selection know as ‘ Yaku Fairy ’ , from the mountainous island of Yaku Shima , is the perfect dwarf for a John Rock or trough garden .
RHODODENDRON DAVIDSONIANUM
Vigorous and bushy , aboriginal to Sichuan , China , exceedingly floriferous . Does not require the remotion of spent - flower trusses - known as deadheading . Lovely flowers order in color from pale pink to lavender or mauve , often with morose red musca volitans . Hardy to about 0 degrees .
RHODODENDRON ORBICULARE
Always attract attention with its smooth rotund leaf and rose - to - pinkish chime - regulate flowers . right in light subtlety to maintain the mounding riding habit and quash leaf singe . Hardy to -5 degrees in maritime clime .
RHODODENDRON RUPICOLA
One of the safe of the dwarf or “ alpine ” rhododendrons for the rock garden . Easily grown in a sunny location with splendid drain , this species forms a dense mound to 3 feet with scratch blue - purple to reddish - purple flowers . aboriginal to southwest China . Hardy to -15 degrees .
RHODODENDRON DEGRONIANUM
varying species native over a wide-eyed area of Japan , with different forms occurring on almost every mountain range in the southerly one-half of the island chain . Lower surface of the leaves is coat with a dense furry layer of hairs known as the indument , add welcome colour and involvement in the nonblooming time of year . Pink to rise or rarely white bloom appear in late spring , and the plant are quite adaptable in most clime , even suffer the passion and cold-blooded of the East Coast and upper Midwest if provided with right shade and care . Hardy to -15 level .
RHODODENDRON LUTEUM
Deciduous azalea , outstanding as an ornamental for a cheery boundary line or woodland edge . vivid yellow flower are delightfully fragrant , and fall foliage bring a bright red splashing of colour . A ringer select at the RSBG known as ‘ Golden Comet ’ is an especially fine form with a much larger anthesis of inscrutable yellow blossom and honorable resistance to the common , disfiguring but relatively harmless powdery mold that so often afflicts azaleas . Hardy to -10 degrees .
Photos were taken at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden , south of Seattle , Washington . For further information on rhododendron and the garden , call 253 - 838 - 4646 or seewww.rhodygarden.org .
Related : Viraya Rhodedendrons
