Heather time, or When is it better to plant rhododendrons - in spring or autumn?
Rhododendrons are one of the most beautiful shrubs blooming in spring. They attract large bright inflorescences with evergreen oblong leaves. Shrubs grow to considerable height and have a long life span. Rhododendrons grow even in the mountains and in marshy areas.
Although rhododendron is a rather capricious plant, but still their extraterrestrial beauty is worth it to plant a bush in your summer cottage. In the article you will find the features of the most suitable varieties for this and learn the rules for planting seedlings, and you can also enjoy beautiful photos of the flower.
Landing time
What does it depend on?
Of course, planting time depends on the type of plant. Rhododendron can be planted only in a certain period, namely, in the first half of spring, or in early autumn, that is, in September. If you are going to grow a bush from seeds, then this should be done only in the spring. If with the help of a seedling, then everything is not so fundamental here. Early autumn is quite suitable for planting a seedling.
Is it better to do this in the fall, spring or summer?
- Optimally. The best time to plant a rhododendron is considered to be the spring period. It usually starts in March and ends in mid-May. It is advisable to choose cloudy days, so that the first spring sun rays less affect the seedling. Cool and humid weather has a good effect on the acclimatization of planted seedlings.
- Not recommended. In the summer, you should not plant rhododendron, since increased sun activity adversely affects the survival rate of the plant. The deadline for landing is the beginning of September.
- When azalea is forbidden to plant. Do not plant azalea in late autumn, because the seedling may not have enough time to root before the onset of frost. Naturally, the plant is not planted in the winter.
Rhododendron is best planted in spring. Favorable conditions that develop during this period, well affect the growth of the plant. The absence of excessive sunlight, sufficient soil moisture all this is ideal for planting this species.
Some gardeners plant rhododendron in early autumn, but there are small risks that the plant will not take root in winter.The dependence of the time of the procedure on its method
- Seeds. Preparation for sowing seeds of rhododendron is carried out in March. For planting seeds, the spring period is optimal. A sufficient amount of moisture and heat has a positive effect on germination.
- Seedlings. Seedlings, like seeds, are planted in the spring. But if for some reason you were not able to plant at this time of the year, then the seedling easily takes root in the early fall.
- Seedlings. If you are planting seedlings, then it is better to do this in the spring, since there will still be a lot of time before the winter, and the rhododendron will certainly have time to take root.
Suitable types and varieties: description and photo
First of all, we need to get acquainted with those types of rhododendrons that are suitable for landing at your summer cottage. Rhododendrons fall into three major categories:
- evergreens;
- deciduous;
- semi-evergreen.
For each territory you need to select a specific variety, for example, in the Moscow region it is not advisable to plant evergreens, but in the south a deciduous variety.
Consider the varieties of rhododendrons, which are most often grown by gardeners in our country.
Yellow
Deciduous shrub, blooms in May and June. Its flowers are yellow-orange. It tolerates winters in the middle lane. Even in the fall does not lose its decorative effect.
Kamchatsky
Shrub with small pink flowers. This species is unpretentious, therefore suitable for planting on stony soils. Autumn leaves turn yellow-orange.
Dense
Evergreen frost-resistant shrub that grows slowly. It blooms in May, in August or September, often gives repeated flowering. The flowers are purple-blue.
Japanese
The most decorative kind of rhododendrons with reddish-yellow flowers. It blooms in late spring, early summer. In autumn, the leaves turn crimson and yellow.
Step-by-step instruction
Since this plant is most often planted with a seedling, then we will consider this particular method.
- It is necessary to dig a hole with a depth of 30-50 centimeters and a width of one and a half meters. The hole should be several times larger than the root system.
- Expanded clay or gravel rests at the bottom.
- Next, fill the hole in the half-dug hole with the soil mixture (for more details on recommendations for the correct selection of soil for azaleas, see here).
- We straighten the roots of the plant and carefully place it in the pit.
- Then you need to water abundantly.
- Fill empty spaces with the nutrient soil that you have left. After you need to lightly tamp the ground and water. Seedlings in which the root system is closed, plant with a lump of land using the method of transshipment.
Video instruction for planting rhododendron:
Conclusion
With proper preparation and planting of rhododendrons, you will get strong and healthy plants that will delight you and your loved ones for many years.