I got my first evergreen rhododendron ten years ago. I chose a site for planting rhododendron in partial shade, under the crown of tall trees. The acidic soil that these plants prefer was provided by nature itself.

Rhododendrons are deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen shrubs, less often small trees. Shoots glabrous or sometimes pubescent, leaves simple. Flowers in inflorescences, of various colors, from white to shades of purple-violet and yellow, from 30 cm to 1 m high. Rhododendrons are relatively easy to transplant, they have a compact, superficial root system. Despite this, it is preferable to use plants grown in containers with a closed root system for planting.

variety "Daughter of the North"

My first rhododendron bloomed and pleased. But the next spring, he began to turn yellow, in the fall he completely wilted, and could not endure the winter.

In the same year, in the fall, I planted rhododendrons of the Elvira, Maurits and Haaga varieties from a Finnish nursery, which are sold here in St. Petersburg. These plants winter well without shelter in our climatic zone (5a), successfully bloom and grow in summer. Variety "Haaga" forms fairly tall bushes. In my garden, these plants are still young, but have already bloomed for three seasons, delighting with delicate pink-purple flowers. I almost lost one of the specimens when I loosened the soil under the bushes, close to the roots. The disturbed rhododendron began to drop leaves, and I had to remove some of the dead branches. By the end of the summer, my rhododendron recovered and began to grow, it had new leaves.

Variety "Helsinki University"

Now I have evergreen and deciduous rhododendrons, Finnish selection, recommended for cultivation in climatic zones 3 - 4-5. These are varieties "Haaga", "Elvira", "Maurits", "Helsinki University" and others.

Last autumn, a new rhododendron of the “Daughter of the North” variety was purchased, the most frost-resistant in my collection, up to -36 C.

Variety "Mandarin Light"

Rhododendrons are very responsive to caring care. For normal growth and development of plants, the soil must be fertilized once every 2-3 years. In the spring, I add one bucket of nutrient mixture, decomposed compost, to the trunk circle. As soon as buds begin to appear on the bushes, I feed them with mineral fertilizers containing ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, potassium sulfate.

When the rhododendrons fade and begin to grow, I water the bushes abundantly for better growth of young shoots. Thanks to care, young branches and leaves become denser and ripen.

variety "Daughter of the North"

For a successful overwintering, I water the bushes abundantly before the start of winter, until the soil freezes. All my plants are frost-resistant, they do not need shelter, only protection from breaking with snow, by winter I tie the branches of rhododendrons to the trunk, put a support for the bush.

In the spring, after a snowy winter, the bushes gradually straighten their branches and evergreen leaves. Buds enlarge and soon buds appear, scarlet, lilac, lingonberry, orange, white and lemon.

variety "Elvira"

Rhododendron (in Latin Rhododendron), otherwise known as azalea, is a type of shrub that belongs to the heather family. These plants love shade and humid air, because their natural habitat is the mountain forests of Asia, as well as North and Central America. When growing them, it is necessary to provide conditions close to natural, so you should choose shaded and protected from the wind areas. The air must be moist.

Rhododendrons - cultivation and care

Rhododendrons do well under tall trees. To ensure sufficient moisture, you can plant them near a stream or near. In this case, they will grow beautifully, and there will be no need to "save" them. As for the soil, it should be light or medium. In addition, it is important to observe moderate humidity and acidity.

Rhododendrons grow in fertile, permeable and humus-rich soil. Shrubs are best planted in the spring, however, shrubs purchased in containers can be planted throughout the growing season. The plant should be regularly watered with soft water - rainwater is best suited for this purpose. This is also a very economical solution, as it just falls from the sky.

Rhododendrons - frost-resistant varieties

After 30 years of research, Finnish researchers have developed winter-hardy varieties of rhododendrons that are resistant to frost down to -40 °C. It is worth paying attention to them, because these plants are suitable even for the coldest regions. The beauty of these frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons is not inferior to other popular varieties, while they have compact bushes and stiff stems that do not break under the weight of snow.

Rhododendrons: frost-resistant varieties - the photo was taken in early June, when this beautiful plant shows all its charm.

Below is a description of the varieties of rhododendrons that can be grown in cold regions.

• "Helsinki University" is the most famous and popular frost-resistant rhododendron variety. The bush is vigorous, after ten years it has a height of 1.5 to 1.8 m. It captivates with the beauty of pink flowers with an orange spot in the center. Its young leaves are reddish in spring, and in summer they are painted in the colors of vibrant greenery. Rhododendron varieties "University of Helsinki" can withstand temperatures up to 39 degrees below zero. It is worth having in your collection.

  Rhododendron - Rhododendron "Helsinki University"

  'Helsinki University' is an extremely hardy, medium-sized rhododendron variety. It became one of the first Finnish varieties of rhododendron, and was first introduced at the 350th anniversary of the University of Helsinki in 1990. The mother plant was the Mustila rhododendron, but its pollinator is not known.

  Beautiful flowering envelops the bush in mid-June. The flowers are pink, with a spotted pattern. 'Helsinki University' strongly resembles 'Haaga'. The easiest way to distinguish varieties is by the color of the buds: in "Haaga" they are more reddish. In addition, the filaments of 'Haaga' flowers are pink, while those of 'Helsinki University' are lighter in color.
  

• Well-known frost-resistant and fast-growing variety "Peter Tigersteadt". Its height is 1.5 m. It has straight, stiff stems, dark green leaves and white flowers with a brown eye. Withstands frosts down to -34 degrees. Thanks to rigid vertical shoots, it easily accumulates a snow cap on the base of a branch.
  
• The frost-resistant Mikkeli rhododendron is also recommended, it is white, its leaves are very interestingly folded.
  

  Rhododendron - Rhododendron "Mikkeli"

  'Mikkeli' or 'St. Michel' is a Finnish rhododendron variety that combines great looks with excellent hardiness. The variety is a hybrid of two very hardy rhododendrons growing in Mustila. The mother plant was Tigerstedt's short-fruited rhododendron ( R. brachycarpum var. tigerstedtii), and the pollinator plant is Smirnov's rhododendron ( R. smirnowii). Hybrid "Mikkeli" inherited the best features of both species.

  In June, the red buds of 'Mikkeli' cultivar open with large, light flowers that fade from pinkish to pure white. There are greenish spots on the upper petals. New shoots are soft and covered with white hairs. The underside of old leaves is covered with yellowish hairs.

  Sometimes regrets are expressed that "Mikkeli" blooms poorly. This is typical of young bushes. As they grow older, they begin to bloom much better. In ten years, "Mikkeli" reaches almost two meters in height, and years later it can grow another couple of meters.

• Frost-resistant varieties "Helliki" and "Haaga" bloom in pink, reaching a height of 1-1.3 m.

  Rhododendron - Rhododendron "Hellikki"

  "Hellikki" is an upright rhododendron with a rounded crown, featuring beautiful dark foliage and gorgeous flowers. It is an openly pollinated descendant of the Seidel hybrid, and from the appearance of the leaves it can be assumed that the genes of the Smirnov rhododendron are also present in the variety ( R. smirnowii). The new shoots of "Hellikki" are soft, covered with white hairs, and the underside of the leaves is covered with a yellowish-gray, felt-like pile. Intense red flowers bloom until mid-June.

  "Hellikki" has proven to be quite a tricky plant, especially when grown outdoors. It takes root better in almost complete shade, but is able, despite shading, to bloom quite well. In ten years, the bush reaches a height of more than a meter. Planted in the early 2000s in the Rhododendron Valley, "Hellikki" bushes have taken root very well and give abundant flowering.
  

• Rhododendron - Rhododendron "Haaga"

  "Haaga" ("Haaga") is a persistent, medium-sized variety of rhododendron. Its flowers are pink, with dark spots on the upper petals. Beautiful flowering envelops the entire bush in mid-June. The mother plant of cultivar 'Haaga' was Mustila rhododendron ( R. brachycarpum var. tigerstedtii), and the pollinator is "Dr. H. C. Dresselhuys" with red flowers. According to the way of growth, it is a shrub of the correct rounded shape, reaching over 1.5 meters in height in ten years. Bushes planted in the early 2000s in the Rhododendron Valley have already reached a height of two meters.

• Extremely pretty, reaching a height of 50 cm, frost-resistant rhododendrons of the Elvira variety from the creeping group. The plant has dark red flowers. It grows very slowly, only up to 50 cm and can withstand temperatures down to -34 degrees without damage. This is a novelty that goes well with miniature conifers.
  

• Rhododendron "Elviira" - Rhododendron ”Elvira”

  'Elvira' is a short rhododendron variety with red flowers. It was bred in the Mustila Arboretum by crossbreeding. The seed plant was the Mustila rhododendron ( R. brachycarpum var. tigerstedtii), and the pollinator is the Forrest rhododendron creeping along the ground with red flowers ( Rhododendron forrestii var. repens). "Elvira" blooms in mid-May with red, cherry-colored flowers. For 10 years, it reaches a height of about 60 cm.

  The variety has proven to be rather difficult to breed and is very vulnerable in spring, especially if planted in too open a spot. The plant thrives best in areas with an abundance of snow, and even in Northern Finland, where in winter it is covered with a thick snow cover.

  In Mustila, “Elvira” also proved to be a rather whimsical variety in terms of choosing a place for planting. On the North Slope, near the family graves, where in winter there is shade and a lot of snow, and in summer there is uniform humidity and an abundance of sunlight, "Elvira" has grown into a magnificent dense bush with many flowers. But still, it took root noticeably worse than other young plants in the Rhododendron Valley.

• There are also new Polish royal varieties of rhododendrons, which, like the Finnish varieties, can withstand severe frosts and abundant flowering. Their advantage is resistance to diseases. Varieties in this group were named after Polish kings - Bolesław Horobry, Queen Jadwiga (photo2), Kazimierz the Great and others. Bolesław Horobry: Violet flowers with a delicate brown pattern. The bush is dense, well developed. The leaves are oblong, slightly convex. The variety is frost-resistant. In laboratory tests, the leaves do not freeze up to -30ºС. The variety is named after the Polish king Boleslav the Brave, one of the founders of the medieval Polish state, the son of King Mieszko. (Photo 3). They withstand frosts down to -30 degrees.
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There are many varieties that are not afraid of even 40 degrees below zero. Now these wonderful plants can be safely grown in the coldest regions of our country. We owe this mainly to Finnish scientists, as well as some scientists from other countries, for example, Poland. Researchers from the University of Helsinki have been working on new varieties for 30 years. It was a very expensive experience. They tested tens of thousands of plants to get those few exceptional specimens.

What are the benefits of frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons?

• first of all, fantastic frost resistance;
• this plant is very impressive - all varieties have a pleasant compact appearance;
• hard stems do not break under the weight of snow;
• they are adapted for harsh winters and become hardened to cold weather - this is important, because rhododendrons set buds at the end of summer, and if they freeze, they will not bloom the next season.

What is combined with rhododendrons in landscape design?

If you decide to complement the rhododendron bed with other plants, you should plant them on the intermediate floor between the tall plants in the background and the dwarf ones in front. In addition, plants of the heather family (with similar requirements), magnolia, wintergreen or blueberries can be placed nearby.

Good company is also dwarf spruce, firs, yews and junipers. Varieties "Peter Tigersteadt", "The Hague" and "Elvira" perfectly emphasize and enliven the beauty of a monotonous coniferous garden. However, they should not be planted next to the overly expansive Chinese juniper, nor to shallow-rooted trees such as ornamental apple and plum trees. At the same time, they feel good in the company of beeches and oaks.

In a large pot, rhododendron can grow up to several years. If you create good conditions for him, he will be strong and cope with potential diseases.

Take note of our list of frost-resistant varieties.

Rhododendron is, without much exaggeration, a luxurious shrub, beloved by flower growers no less than roses, peonies and hydrangeas. No wonder we included it in the list.

Among the huge variety of rhododendrons, you can find plants for every taste: shrubs or small trees, with a heady aroma or barely perceptible, with large flowers or compact ones. In addition, almost all rhododendrons feel great with little shading.

Pay attention to the list of 10 more.

Unfortunately, the eastern origin of the rhododendron often scares away the inhabitants of the middle lane. Suddenly it will not bloom or, even worse, will not endure frost and die?

If you have long dreamed of planting a rhododendron seedling on your site, but did not dare because of the cold winters, consider that the problem is solved! We have prepared a selection of 10 magnificent winter-hardy rhododendrons that can withstand temperatures down to -25 ° C and even lower.

For all its merits, rhododendron cannot boast of a complete absence of flaws. Perhaps the main disadvantage of growing this plant in your garden is that all its parts: flowers, stems, leaves are poisonous. If there are children and pets on your site, be sure to take note of the list popular among flower growers.

Grandmother (Babuschka)

Rhododendron Grandmother- as charming as its name. It belongs to the Japanese azalea species. This undersized shrub is perfect for creating borders and low hedges.

This azalea will appeal to lovers of lush inflorescences. Who can resist these bright pink double flowers?

Golden Lights

This rhododendron belongs to the species of deciduous azaleas. Golden Lights bushes are notable for beautiful cone-shaped salmon-orange flowers, collected in brushes of 10 pieces. The delicate shade of the flowers effectively contrasts with the dark olive color of the leaves.

This rhododendron blooms early, already at the end of May. It endures the most severe winters - it is not afraid of frosts down to -42 ° C.

English Roseum

English Roseum- a hybrid of Katevbinsky rhododendron. He is not afraid of direct sunlight, frosts and heavy rains - all these vagaries of the weather will not interfere with lush flowering.

The flowers of this shrub are bright, lilac-pink, with orange "freckles", bell-shaped. They are collected in domed inflorescences of 8-10 pieces.

Rhododendron English Roseum Grows best in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils.

Karens (Karens)

Rhododendron Karens refers to the Japanese evergreen azaleas. It is a very showy, fairly compact shrub with reddish-purple flowers speckled with dark purple. In autumn, the leaves take on a wine hue.

Mount Saint Helens

This deciduous azalea is notable for its unprecedented frost resistance - it tolerates temperatures down to -32 ° C.

Another distinctive feature of rhododendron Mount Saint Helens- unusual color of flowers. Their petals are a delicate salmon-pink hue with golden tangerine spots. Elegant bell-shaped flowers are collected in brushes of 11 pieces. Its dark green glossy leaves take on a rich bronze hue in autumn.

Nova Zembla

Nova Zembla- a luxurious hybrid of the evergreen Katebvin rhododendron. Its dimensions are amazing - an adult shrub reaches 2.4 m in height and 2.1 m in width. Of course, you cannot plant such a hero in a modest front garden, but in a large garden he will certainly attract admiring glances.

Rhododendron flowers Nova Zembla bright pink with maroon spots, shaped like a bell. The flowers are collected in spherical brushes, so from a distance the shrub can easily be confused with a peony.

PJM Elite (PJM Elite)

Rhododendron with a mysterious name PZHM Elite- This is a small-leaved evergreen hybrid of the Carolina rhododendron and the Daurian rhododendron sempervirens (ledum).

This shrub is quite compact, blooms luxuriantly, tolerates frosts down to -32 ° C.

Flowers of the rhododendron PZHM Elite crimson-pink, cone-shaped, collected in brushes of 4-9 pieces.

White Lights

White Lights- one of the varieties of deciduous azalea. This rhododendron can withstand temperatures from -34°C to -42°C! So you can safely plant it in the middle lane and forget about winter shelter.

In May, pink buds turn into large pinkish-pearl flowers with small golden patches. Over time, the petals turn white. Foliage takes on a dark bronze hue in autumn.

Location: When choosing a location, keep in mind that it should be protected from prevailing winds and direct sunlight. Most wild rhododendrons in nature hide under the canopy of trees, and if they find themselves in an open place, then on such slopes where the sun penetrates only part of the day. Such "problematic" places in our gardens, such as areas directly adjacent to the northern walls of the house and other buildings, are great for rhododendrons. It is just as good for them in wooded areas, especially under pines and not very dense spruces.

Ideal arrangement of evergreen rhododendrons
(crowns of coniferous trees protect plants from the spring sun)
1- plot with rhododendrons
2- coniferous trees (spruce, arborvitae, cypress).

Soil: heavy clay soils, soils with a dense lower horizon, where stagnation of rain and melt water is possible, are unsuitable for growing rhododendrons. Optimum soil mix: leaf soil, peat and coniferous litter (3:2:1) with the addition of a complete mineral fertilizer: 70 g per pit. The optimum acidity of the soil is 4.5 - 5.0.

Landing: the best time for planting rhododendrons is spring. At the site of future plantings, pits about 50 cm deep and at least 70 cm wide are dug in advance. Drainage is required, a layer of broken brick and sand 15-20 cm, if the planting pit is deep, then the drainage layer increases to 30-40 cm and includes fine gravel or crushed stone (but not lime). The distance between plants depends on the height and diameter of the crown of the bush and averages from 0.7 to 2 m. When planting plants, you need to ensure that their root system is not buried, but is 2-4 cm higher than the soil level, taking into account her precipitation. A near-stem hole with raised edges is made around the bush and watered abundantly. Rhododendrons have a shallow root system (30-40 cm), which develops mainly in the litter and humus horizon. Therefore, mulching material is poured around the planted bushes - peat, needles with a layer of 4-8 cm, which retains moisture, prevents the growth of weeds, protects the roots from mechanical damage, and reduces the depth of soil freezing.

Landing pattern:
1- soil
2- drainage 15-40 cm
3- soil mixture 20-40 cm
4- needles (preferably pine) 5-15 cm.

Care: involves weeding near-stem circles, watering and top dressing.

For normal growth and development of plants, the soil should be fertilized once every 2-3 years. In the spring, one bucket of nutrient mixture (rotted cow manure, decomposed compost) is brought into the trunk circle at a shallow depth. In early spring, rhododendrons are fed with mineral fertilizers containing NPK in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.5 (ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, potassium sulfate) at the rate of 30-40 g per sq.m. The second time the plants are fed after flowering with a mixture of 2 parts of phosphorus and 1 part of potash fertilizers, which contributes to the laying of flower buds for the next year. If necessary, you can feed them in the summer. But not at the end of it, otherwise it may cause untimely growth of shoots and freezing them in winter. Large doses of superphosphate are dangerous - they create an iron deficiency. Fertilizers containing lime and chlorine should be avoided. Young plants are best fed with low concentrations of mineral fertilizers in liquid form.

The dwarf rhododendron belongs to the Heather family of the genus Rhodotumnus. Natural varieties grow in the rocky Alps, are found in Germany, Austria, Slovenia.

Dwarf rhododendron - a short evergreen bush, grows no more than 50 - 60 cm in height in adulthood. The crown is dense, pillow-shaped. The stems are numerous, raised, curl and creep to the ground. The leaves are small, up to 3-4 cm long, dark green. Grow alternately, oblong in shape, are reversed - convex. The leaf plate is covered with hairs or scales, depending on the sub-variety.

The flowers are axillary, bell-shaped or calyx-shaped, small, up to 4-5 cm in diameter. Inflorescences collect 2 - 3 flowers, tightly planted. The colors are very diverse - gently - lemon, pink, raspberry, dark red. The fruits ripen in a longitudinal box. The root is flat, 30 - 40 cm in height in an adult bush.

History of occurrence

The dwarf rhododendron belongs to the alpine endemics in the East. Their range is limited, unfortunately, natural species belong to rare plants, many are listed in the Red Book.

Dwarf rhododendron is an ornamental shrub, with its participation in modern breeding, many intergeneric hybrids of kalmiopsis, flowering Phyllodoce of the Heather family, have been bred.

What is the difference from other types?

The main difference between the dwarf species of rhododendron - exotic refers to calcephiles, that is, it lives in nature in calcium, limestone, chalky soils on rocky slopes. Some species bloom again in August - September.

Low-growing varieties and their photos

Rhododendron ludlowii 'Wren' is a low growing evergreen shrub, almost flattened to the ground. The height of the dwarf bush reaches 20 - 30 cm. The flowers are bright lemon, medium in size. The leaves are evergreen, small, oblong, up to 2.5 - 3 cm in length. Frost resistance is average, but with spruce shelter it tolerates frost well.

Creeping shrub, undersized, its height reaches 50 - 60 cm. The crown is dense, knocked down, cushion-shaped, prostrate. The flowers are bell-shaped, rich - scarlet color, shiny. The leaves are medium, oblong, elongated, dark green, may be darker.

The root is superficial, fragile, easily damaged when loosening. Blooms early, in May. Can grow in full sun and partial shade. Frost resistance is average, tolerates temperature drops to -27 ºС

Krumlov

The bush is dense, evergreen, dwarf. It grows up to 50 cm. The crown is very dense, wide, grows up to 80 - 90 cm in diameter. The leaves are small, wide, oblong, up to 4 - 5 cm in length. The flowers are pale lilac, bloom in mid-May.

Able to endure frosts down to -26 ºС, provided that the landing site is protected from gusts of wind, in diffused shade or in sunny places with shading. Bred in the Czech Republic, named after the town of Krumlov - the birthplace of the exotic.

Amethyst

The bush has a feature - the crown is very dense, it is called thick rhododendron. Evergreen dwarf shrub, in adulthood does not grow half a meter. The flowers are collected in large inflorescences, small in size, tightly planted on the stems, forming a dense dense crown. The shrub blooms in late May with dark purple flowers with a blue tint.

The leaves are oblong, medium, 2–3 cm long, rather wide, the leaf diameter is 2.5–3 cm. The foliage is scaly in structure on both sides. Frost resistance is moderate, up to -26 ºС. Prefers partial shade and humus-rich substrate.

A creeping variety of dwarf rhododendron, the bush extends along the substrate at a height of 40 - 50 cm. The flowers are medium, up to 5 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped in shape, dark red in color with dark spots on the central petal. Petals twisted, wavy.

Inflorescences - domes collect up to 10 flowers. The leaves are rounded, up to 4–6 cm in diameter. The bush does not particularly tolerate drought. The variety is highly frost-resistant, under the condition of shelter and a mulched substrate layer, it can withstand up to -30 ºС.

Bloom

When and how does it happen?

The flowering of dwarf rhododendron is generous, plentiful, occurs in May or at the very beginning of June. Lasts 3 weeks. The crown is dense, compact, during flowering the leaves are almost invisible. Many varieties can bloom again in late August - early September.

The dwarf rhododendron is usually transplanted before and after flowering. During the ripening of the buds, the temperature should be reduced to 10 - 12 ° C. After flowering, strongly elongated shoots are pruned. Old inflorescences immediately after flowering should be cut off for future flowering.

What to do if there are no buds?

For abundant flowering and the formation of new buds, you need to feed the bush with superphosphate. You should also check the bushes for the presence of fungi and garden pests.

Use in landscape design

Dwarf rhododendrons are used to create alpine slides, mixed rocky gardens - mixborders. Varieties look good in compositions with thujas, cypresses and other coniferous plantations.

Care

Choosing the right place

For dwarf varieties, the optimal planting site is semi-shady areas. It is good to plant these varieties near the needles, under its scattered shade, the flowers are protected from the burning sun and gusty wind.

What should be the soil?

The soil for dwarf rhododendron is loose, drained, moist, but not swampy. Required substrate:

• leaf ground - 3 hours;
• peat - 2 hours;
• coniferous litter - 1 hour;
• mineral fertilizers - 60 - 70 g per 1 planting hole.

Important! It is undesirable to add sawdust, black soil, ash to the substrate.

The best time to plant a dwarf rhododendron is early spring. Landing pattern:

The composition of the mulch is peat, needles, a layer up to 6 cm.

Temperature

The variety is frost-resistant, withstands temperatures down to -25°C on average. Dwarf rhododendron prefers a cool, humid climate, the optimum temperature is 10 - 12 ° C.

Watering

Watering for dwarf rhododendron requires plentiful in hot weather in summer and moderate in autumn. In winter, watering is reduced by 2 times.

Water must be:

• acidified;
• purified
• settled;
• rain.

Each bush consumes up to 10 liters of water.

Attention! Every day in the summer, spray the bushes to maintain the required humidity.

top dressing

For dwarf rhododendron, it is important to use organic fertilizers: rotted manure is diluted in water 1:15, the solution should be infused for several days. Intensive fertilizer - once a week until the end of summer. Combine with watering. Flowers are fed with potassium and phosphorus, solution: 8 g per 10 liters of water.

In early spring, you can feed with special complex fertilizers.:

• ammonium sulphate - 2 hours;
• superphosphate - 1 hour;
• potassium sulfate - 1 hour;

The solution is diluted - 30 g of the mixture per bush.

For young bushes, fertilizer doses are reduced by 1.5 - 2 times.

pruning

Pruning is done 20 days after the end of flowering. Regular pruning of old shoots by half is also desirable.

Damaged stems, dried leaves and flowers are cut off in a timely manner.

Transfer

Dwarf rhododendron transplantation is carried out in early spring or late September. Bushes usually tolerate transplanting well, provided that the old earthy coma is preserved.

How to prepare for winter?

These varieties with medium frost resistance are best covered with burlap, coniferous branches. Remove shelter in the spring, in parts, preferably on a cloudy day.

Reference! Mulching before wintering is mandatory to prevent freezing of the roots.

reproduction

Rhododendron dwarf in home floriculture propagated by cuttings:

1. In the spring, cuttings are cut 8 cm long.
2. The cuttings are dipped for 24 hours in a solution with a root growth stimulator.
3. Planted in a ready-made special substrate to a depth of 2 cm.
4. Seedlings take root very slowly.
5. Seedlings are planted in open ground for the next spring.
6. Grow young seedlings in the cellar.

Diseases and pests

1. Attack flower and garden snails and slugs. You need to collect them manually and destroy them.
2. spider mite destroys leaves and stems. With a small lesion, spraying with soapy water will help.
3. From rhododendron bugs and flies, scale insects the treatment of stems and branches with fungicides - karbofos or tiram will help get rid of.
4. Weevil- a common pest of the flower. Spraying with any insecticides will help here.
5. From viral leaf mosaic the processing of the substrate of the near-stem circles will help, diseased branches and leaves need to be cut out.

Advice! Prevention against pests and diseases should be repeated 3-4 times every 8-10 days.

Prevention of various problems

To get rid of rust, powdery mildew, chlorosis, gray mold and other fungi, treatment is required - watering and spraying with fungicides. You can feed the flowers with potash and phosphorus fertilizers.

Problems can arise from damp soil, unsuitable substrate, incorrectly applied fertilizers or fungi.

Dwarf rhododendron will beautifully cover flower beds and plots with its flowering only with proper care, sufficient watering and good moisture.

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