Rhododendron Western Lights: a description of the appearance of azaleas, such as prinophyllum Northern Hi-Lights, Western, holly Northern Highlights, care for them

Many summer residents, amateur gardeners try to decorate their site with flowers. Azaleas are a great option for this occasion. But how to choose plant varieties correctly? After all, preserving the flower in conditions of our low temperatures is very difficult.

Of all the hybrid varieties, it is the azaleas of the lights series that are distinguished by incredible winter hardiness.

Varieties bred in recent decades have become especially popular among domestic flower growers.

What is this group: definition

Deciduous Azaleas - Tropical Flowers, natural species grow in the warm climate of China, Japan and Holland. In the 20th century, thanks to the efforts of world and domestic scientists, special varieties were developed that were striking in their resistance to frosty winters. So, in North America, back in 1978, the first variety of the world-famous ultra-resistant series of azaleas lights was bred in the arboretum of the University of Minnesota. Breeding discoveries include about 20 varieties - hybrids that are successfully distributed among lovers of exotic azaleas.

Appearance

Representatives of the exotic azaleas of the lights series are deciduous shrubs. Adult bushes on average reach 1.5 - 2 m in height. The width of the bush extends to 1.3 - 1.5 m. The crown is dense, in most cases spreading. The branches are erect. The leaves are wide, up to 5 - 6 cm, grow up to 7 - 10 cm, oblong, sometimes ovate or back - convex, pointed at the ends, wedge-shaped at the base.

The structure of the leaves are glossy, leathery or slightly pubescent., depending on the variety. In summer, the foliage is olive green, the autumn color has rich shades of burgundy, crimson flowers. The flowers are large, bell-shaped, differ in aroma. Stamens bent, curly. The color scheme of flowering rhododendron is diverse. Expressive - orange colors are found, pale yellow, golden, in some species the flowers become white when tender, pink.

By structure, flowers are semi-double, pearlescent, shiny, carmine. The flowers are medium, up to 5 - 6 cm in diameter. The buds ripen in late May - early June. Inflorescences are large, spherical, connect 10 to 15 flowers.

The root is flat, consists of thin, fibrous rootstightly intertwined. It is located close to the surface, so the root system is sensitive to drying out and excessive watering.

Features and differences from other varieties

Flowering of these varieties begins before leaves appear. Azaleas Lights stand out for their exquisite aroma. Varieties are distinguished by exceptional endurance, winter well, less whimsical than hybrid varieties of evergreen shrubs. Bushes lend themselves well to pruning and crown formation. It is also easy to take root in the open ground in the garden and front gardens.

How to determine to which subsection the azalea belongs?

First of all, you can determine the variety by the name of the sub-varieties - the varieties mandarin lights and golden lights are fully consistent with their biological name - it has a rich bright orange hue of the petals. Also, by the color of pink flowers, one can determine the grade of rosy lights and western lights. The white lights subcategory stands out for its ability to change the color of the flowers. In May, the buds are pink, when blooming, the flowers acquire a pearly pink hue, and then the petals turn white. Western lights can be distinguished by green foliage with a bluish tint.

Containment conditions by species?

An important sign of the azaleas of the lights series is cold resistance. The subcategories white lights, rosy lights and golden lights are the toughest of this collection. They do not need winter shelters, they are able to withstand frosts up to - 40 - 42 ° C. Other representatives of North American hybrids are better covered with coniferous spruce branches or other dry shelters, they are less resistant to frost.

Important: mulch the soil of the trunk circles is mandatory for all sub-grades of the lights series, they prevent winter drying of the substrate and freezing of the root.

Description

Mandarin

The height of the adult bush Mandarin Lights reaches 2 - 2.5 m. The crown extends to a width of 2 m, round shape. The leaves are large, long, up to 10 cm, sharp at the ends, wedge-shaped at the base. In summer, the foliage is saturated olive color, in the fall it becomes a deep burgundy hue. The flowers are red - orange hue, an orange spot "burns" on the central petal. In shape, the flowers are narrow, bell-shaped, with wavy edges, medium in size, with a diameter of 5 - 6 cm. Variety bred in 1992.

Northern

Prinophyllum northern hi-lights - deciduous shrub, height reaches 1 m. The crown is dense, sprawling. Leaves are ovate, reverse, pubescent, acute at the apex, tapered at the base, of average length - 6 - 7 cm.

The flowers are bell-shaped, tubular, small, 3 cm in diameter. The flower is fragrant, the petals are soft yellow, with a bright orange spot in the center. Inflorescences are rounded, connect up to 10 flowers. Sufficient frost resistance up to -32 ° C.

Holly Northern Highlights - the result of the work of breeders in 1978

Western

Western - Shrubbery, branches erect. The crown is sprawling, grows to 1 - 1.5 m in width. The leaves are dense, green, with a bluish tint. The flowers are large, pink, the edges of the petals are lighter in diameter of 8 - 9 cm. The inflorescences are dense, spherical, combine up to 10 - 12 flowers. The variety is resistant to frost, can withstand temperatures up to -34 ° C in winter.

Golden

Golden Lights decorative bush grows to 1.5 - 2 m. It blooms from mid-May, belongs to the early varieties. The bush is compact, the form is straight and loose, with age the bush thickens, grows in the hemisphere. The crown is wide, in diameter reaches 1 - 1.5 m. The leaves are oblong, wide, up to 6 cm, pointed at the ends, 10 cm long.

The color is olive green, in autumn the leaves change color, become saturated with a bright bard shade. In winter, the leaves fall. Stems - shoots branch well. The flowers are salmon-orange, funnel-shaped, medium in size, up to 5 cm in diameter. The throat of the flower itself is lighter than the edge of the petals, they have a pink hue. Inflorescences are large bouquets; in each inflorescence, up to 8 - 10 flowers are collected. The frost-resistant variety was bred in 1986.

White

Deciduous shrub, height - 1 - 1.5 m. The crown is sprawling, up to 1 m wide. It blooms in May, it differs by repeated flowering in August. The flowers have a sweetish aroma, white, with a golden hue. On the upper petal is a small yellow pattern. When ripening, the buds are gently raspberry; when blooming, they brighten. Inflorescences are voluminous; they collect up to 10 - 18 flowers. The leaves are green in the spring, in the fall they become bronze. The White Lights variety is resistant to cold, buds and branches are able to tolerate large frosts up to - 37 - 42 ° C, bred in 1984.

Rosy

Deciduous shrub, grows to 1 - 1.5 m tall. The bush is sprawling, branches well, branches are erect. The leaves are oblong, concave, lanceolate, the tips of the leaves are sharp. The color of the leaves is light green with a yellowish tinge. In autumn they change color, become dark burgundy. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, up to 6 cm in diameter, wavy petals at the edges. The color is saturated - pink, with orange spots - interspersed. Inflorescences are dome-shaped, combine 8 flowers each. The Rosie Lights variety was created by U.S. breeders in 1984.

Care

The azaleas of the lights series are planted in acidic, loose, fertile soils. The composition of the substrate is a mandatory component of peat, coniferous litter and sheet land.

Drainage is mandatory; it consists of coarse sand and broken brick or gravel. Do not use crushed stone that alkalizes the substrate.

Planted in the shade of coniferous trees - the flowers need diffused light and partial shade. Young seedlings must be shaded. Hybrid varieties of lights are planted in early spring or autumn, after flowering.

The landing hole should be 2 times larger than the root.

Due to the structural features of the root system, the root deepens at the level of the root neck. Loosening the soil is also not recommended, weeds are harvested manually. Mulching the substrate - a necessary condition for care. The composition of the mulch includes needles, moss, peat, pieces of pine bark, a layer of at least 6 cm.

These varieties prefer a humid cool climate, the optimum temperature during the growth and development of buds is 12 - 15 ° C. Drying of the soil is unacceptable, but the swampiness of the substrate harms the roots. In summer, watering should be daily, at the rate of 8 - 10 liters per adult bush. For young bushes, the dose is reduced. In intense heat, it is imperative to spray the bushes every day, early in the morning.

Reference: the substrate needs an acidic environment, so it should be watered with acidified water - 0.5 tsp. citric acid per 1 liter of water. It can be watered with a solution of liquid acid peat.

In the autumn, before wintering, the bushes are abundantly watered, then watering is reduced, the substrate should be moistened only in dry weather. During the ripening of the buds, the substrate should be fertilized with mineral fertilizers - superphosphate, ammonium, potassium. 1.5 to 2 months before the onset of frost, re-fertilizing the substrate with potash and phosphorus fertilizers in a ratio of 1: 2. The azaleas of the lights series are pruned in early spring or fall.. Cut last year's shoots too long by a third, cut dry flowers and buds. Slices after trimming should definitely be treated with garden varnish or paint on varnish.

These varieties are well propagated by seeds. Sowing is done in early spring. Germinate seeds, keep in a greenhouse for germination. Such seedlings bloom only for 6 years of cultivation. The most affordable method of reproduction is considered to be the method of reproduction by layering.

Last year's shoots, low growing to the ground, are dug up in the early spring and fixed with wire on the ground. Separate the bush from the mother flower next fall. Flowering will come within 2 years after separation.

With improper care, fungal infections may appear: rot of roots, buds and stems, rust, leaf spotting. They are treated by spraying bushes and substrate with Bordeaux liquid or by pouring with a solution of foundationazole. From pests such as spider mites, thrips, weevils, treatment with a phytoderm or other insecticides from the azaleas of the lights group will help to take root perfectly in the open ground, turning gardens and flower beds into brightly blooming corners.