Deciduous rhododendron: a description of the azalea and its varieties (Homebush, Klondike and others), their photos, as well as planting and caring for the plant

Deciduous rhododendron is a rather whimsical tropical flower, but with proper care it can grow into a beautifully flowering shrub, decorating gardens, parks, personal plots, flower beds and flower beds of cottages, spacious loggias and balconies.

In this article, we will consider in detail the varieties of this plant, methods of reproduction, the conditions of detention and the rules for caring for this beautifully flowering plant. We also recommend watching a useful video on this topic.

What is this plant?

Definition

Deciduous rhododendron belongs to the large heather family - There are about 900 representatives of this genus of rhododendrons. The literal translation of the rhododendron is "rosewood," that is, a flowering and fragrant exotic plant. Grows evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous - with falling leaves bushes and miniature trees.

ATTENTION: Deciduous rhododendron is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub. Japan, China, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia and even northern Australia are considered the birthplace of deciduous rhododendron.

Description

The average height of deciduous rhododendron is about 1 meter. Some varieties can grow up to 8 - 10 meters and can be a flowering hedge of houses and parks. The flowers themselves are like intricate bells or funnels with elegant rainbow stamens. Inflorescences can be voluminous, or 2 to 3 flowers can be collected, it all depends on the variety cultivated. Sometimes one inflorescence combines up to 20 flowers - the crown becomes thick and dense.

The flowers themselves are quite large. The rhododendron deciduous flowers are striking in the variety of colors and shades. There are bright red, scarlet, sunny yellow, soft pink, light purple.

Rhododendron deciduous yellow, very popular among domestic flower growers. It grows to a meter in height, loves light and moisture very much. Flowers, depending on the variety, can be bright sunny, and some have a golden hue. They have a light pleasant aroma. Flowering occurs simultaneously with the blooming of leaves - such a feature in this species of deciduous shrub.

The surface of the leaves is glossy, the leaves are tight, medium and small sizes - 3 - 6 cm. About 20 subsorts of deciduous rhododendron are bred in domestic floriculture. Deciduous rhododendron is quite resistant to diseases and garden pests.

Differences from other species

The main feature of this species is blooming so large and plentiful that during flowering it turns into a flowering meadow, completely covered with bright colors, because of which leaves are not visible. In autumn, a wonderful metamorphosis with leaves begins - they turn into bright yellow, red, burgundy lights, transforming gardens and front gardens.

Deciduous rhododendron lends itself perfectly to pruning and crown formation. Specialists designers turn gardens and gardens into blooming corners. It is the deciduous rhododendrons that take root well in open ground, survive the winter well, and are considered a frost-resistant species.

A feature of this species is its slow growth, especially in the first 2 years after planting in open ground. So you need to be patient.

How to determine which subsort belongs?

First of all, deciduous rhododendrons are classified according to the color of the flowers:

Yellow deciduous rhododendrons - these are hybrids of Klondike, Narcissiflora, Anneke, Glowing embers and other subsorts.
Rhododendron Ghent - numerous hybrids - mixes have a wide variety of flowering colors.
Pink - Homebush, Ghent subcategories.
Reds - Nabucco, Kamchatsky and other sub-grades show varieties of the red color palette.

Features

The most important sign of deciduous rhododendron is its frost resistance. There are varieties that are best bred only in the southern climate, or for them a winter shelter is required. For example, the rare and finicky variety Narcissiflora or Anneke rhododendron, which does not tolerate frosts, requires protection - shelter.

There are more hardy varieties - Kamchatsky, Klondike and others. They perfectly tolerate both the sun and frost, easily adapt to any climate and take root in simple garden soils.

Description of varieties and their photos

Kamchatsky

The peculiarity of this variety is that it blooms from the inner buds, and not from last year's buds, as rhododendron traditionally blooms. The bush spreads over the surface of the soil, is a deciduous variety of rhododendron.

Flowers of the Kamchatka rhododendron are large, blooming in June. Flowering is not numerous, but rather long - ends in autumn. In autumn, the leaves, before dropping their leaves, are painted in a bright, orange - red color. In nature, this species grows in Kamchatka, Alaska and Japan.

Klondike

Pretty large-flowered deciduous tall shrub, grows up to a meter in height. It has a rich pleasant aroma. It blooms very generously, in April - May it is fiery orange, then the flowers turn golden, gain depth and color saturation. Klondike rhododendron is not picky about lighting, even tolerates the rays of the bright sun. Winter tolerates frosts.

Silver Slipper

It successfully develops in parks and gardens, and can be planted on loggias. Adult silver rhododendron slipper grows to a meter wide and reaches more than one and a half meters in height. This hybrid variety grows vertically, with proper pruning it forms a beautiful funnel-shaped crown located asymmetrically. Growing slowly. Crohn is very dense. The flowers are medium, 6 7 cm, painted a delicate thick white color, the upper petals are light yellow.

The leaves are large, up to 5 cm wide, covered with natural gloss, grow up to 9 - 10 cm in length. In autumn they change color, turn into bright purple markings with a purple hue. This rhododendron tolerates winter well under the condition of mulching. and shelters from cold rains and wind.

IMPORTANT: Rhododendron Silver Slipper is best planted in darker places, this variety likes diffused light. Prefers acidic soil, loose. Cropping is required. Last year's shoots are removed half after flowering.

Narcissiflora

Blooms in early summer with a yellow, sunny color. It is called rhododendron yellow. It is considered a rare variety. The flowers in their structure are velvet, semi-double, pale yellow, with a diameter of up to 4 cm. The petals are arranged in rows, in a spiral, resemble stars - the pointed ends of the petals. Inflorescences combine 12 to 15 flowers, this gives the density and elegance of the crown. The flowers themselves are fragrant. It grows to 1.5 m in height.

Ghent

This is a very unpretentious hybrid grade of deciduous rhododendron. It is particularly resistant to the northern climate, can withstand large frosts. It grows up to 3 meters, loves sunlight. It quickly grows up, already at the age of 3-4 years it begins to bloom actively.

It can take root in ordinary garden soil, but periodic acidification of the substrate is required. Blossoms in white, orange, pink, yellow and all kinds of shades. The flowers are narrow funnels in shape - medium-sized tubules - up to 5 cm, grouped in inflorescences of 5 to 15 flowers.

Homebush

Azalea Homebush (Homebush) is characterized by high growth - up to 1, 5 m in height. With age it grows up to 2 m. The shoots are long, the crown is narrow, vertical, only with time the Homebush rhododendron grows in width. The leaves are light, bright green, in the fall they turn yellow, with an orange tint. Flowering begins in late spring. It lasts almost a month. Inflorescences collect double flowers in large bouquets. Color - deep pink.

TIP: The soil should be well-drained, rich in humus, acid peat. Do not allow stagnation of moisture.

Anneke

The large-flowered rhododendron has a wide straight crown, up to 1 m. The shrub has medium height, grows up to 50 cm in height. An adult bush can grow up to 1 - 1, 5 m. It blooms in late May. The flower is resistant to frost. The flowers are large, bright yellow, in shape similar to open bells. It prefers partial shade in a place protected from through wind. It is better to plant near conifers, ponds. Requires good hydration. The soil must be acidic; when irrigated, purified acidified water must be used. Drainage is required.

For the winter, it is better to cover Rhododendron Anneke with a dry shelter. This variety does not withstand severe frosts. This variety is used in most cases in the southern regions.

Glowing embers

This variety belongs to garden shrubs; it is a hybrid variety. Growing vertically the average height of the Glowing embers rhododendron reaches 1.5 - 1.8m. The diameter of the funnel-shaped crown of an adult flower usually reaches 1m. The bush is dense, growing slowly.

The leaves are large, up to 10 cm long and 4 to 5 cm wide. Leaves are dense, shiny, glossy, bright green saturated color. In autumn they change color to yellow or orange - red. The flowers themselves are collected in bright orange bouquets - inflorescences of 6 to 10 flowers in each. Blooms in early June, fragrant flowers.

It is necessary to remove faded inflorescences and too long last year's shoots in time - they are half cut. Such a cleaning contributes to the full laying of the kidneys for next year.

Frost resistance is average, mulching and protection in winter is required. This variety prefers windless places, partial shade. The soil should not dry out, but water stagnation should not be allowed. The substrate is needed friable and acidic, a drainage base is required.

Nabucco

At the age of 9 - 10 years, this ornamental shrub reaches a meter and a half growth, up to 1 m wide. Blooms in late spring. Flowering occurs simultaneously with the blooming of leaves - this is its feature. The flowers are quite large, up to 8 - 9 cm of bright red color with curved stamens. Nabucco flowers collected in dense inflorescences. Do not fade from sunlight. The soil should be acidic, drained.

Habitat should be calm. Partial shade is desirable, the bright sun can burn leaves and flowers. Usually planted near juniper bushes and other needles. Watering is required plentiful and regular, aridity of the substrate is unacceptable. The variety is considered frost resistant. But if the winter is not snowy, it is advisable to cover the flower from frost with a dry coating. Mulching the soil is necessary.

A beautiful variety of flower is the rhododendron Western Lights, which we talk about here.

Growing conditions and care

Deciduous rhododendron is easy to handle and does not require too much effort. Tropical resident prefers partial shade. There are varieties that can only survive in the southern latitudes; they tolerate summer heat up to 30 ° C.

ATTENTION: In summer, daily watering and spraying. The procedure is preferably carried out in the early morning or after sunset. In winter and autumn, watering is reduced.

Watering should be on the entire surface of the substrate so that the roots are not washed out. In late autumn and winter, you can only water in dry weather. Deciduous rhododendrons must be sheltered in winter from frost and wind. It is advisable to mulch the soil around the root.

Hybrid species of deciduous rhododendron from northern varieties are more frost-resistant, they withstand a temperature drop of -25 ° C. In snowy winters, you can not close them. But mulching the soil is necessary. Fertilizing deciduous rhododendrons is necessary from the moment of flowering. Fertilizers should be intended only for acidic soils.

It is not recommended to feed and transplant deciduous rhododendron during kidney formation - there is a risk of shedding.

It is advisable to fertilize the substrate 1.5 to 2 months before the onset of frost. Almost all varieties of deciduous rhododendron are best covered for the winter, bending the branches to the soil so that the buds do not touch it, you need an air cushion. It is important in winter to make an outflow for incoming moisture in order to avoid dangerous snow ice.

In summer, garden weeds must be removed. Mulching is preferably carried out 2 times a year, adding small coniferous bark or fallen conifer needles. Such a shelter helps preserve the moisture of the substrate, preserves nutrients, and resists the growth of weeds. The mulch layer should be 5 - 6 cm thick. The root neck is usually covered with dry leaves, preferably oak.

Transplantation is carried out in early spring, can be transplanted before and after flowering.. When transplanting, the seedling is surrounded by a rim of moss and coniferous needles, 10 cm tall. Thus, snow is delayed, which protects the roots from freezing.

When and how to plant rhododendron?

When planting, acidic soil is used, consisting of peat and heather land. For planting, dig a deep half-meter hole with a diameter of 60 - 70 cm. Drainage is put at the bottom, 10 - 15 cm.

Half the pit is filled with moss - sphagnum, then filled with a mixture of loose soil and humus leaf. It is imperative to form a drain for excess accumulated water.

Watch the video about the time and features of planting rhododendron in the garden:

Breeding methods

Seeds. Deciduous rhododendrons reproduce by seed. Sowing is done in early spring. Germinate in a cool room at a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C. Seeds are sown in a sand - peat mixture, slightly pressing them. Moisturize regularly. When the first leaves appear on the sprouts, they are dived and placed in a small greenhouse, aired 2 times a day. Such seedlings bloom only for 5 - 6 years of cultivation.
Cuttings. This species can be propagated by cuttings. In the middle of summer. When the buds begin to be laid, cuttings are cut with a length of 7 - 9 cm, leaving 3 to 4 leaves on them.

When grafting at the top of the handle, leave leaves. Before planting, the cuttings are dipped for a day in a solution with any root growth stimulator. Then, for rooting, they are planted in a ready-made special substrate. Provide circulation of warm air from below - usually lift containers with cuttings on supports or on a bench.

Rhododendron seedlings take root very slowly. After rooting, such seedlings cannot be immediately planted in open ground. They should winter in a cellar or cool room with a temperature of 2 - 5 ° C. In the southern regions, you can plant directly in open ground, while a dry shelter is required, seedlings are still too weak and fragile to withstand wind and frost.

Layering. The easiest way to propagate deciduous rhododendron is layering. The procedure is carried out in early spring, using last year's shoots. They are instilled and fixed with wire, slingshots or hooks on the ground. The earth is moistened regularly all summer, watering a solution of a growth stimulator once every 3 to 4 weeks for better rooting. Young shoots are separated next fall. Flowering will occur 2 years after the separation of seedlings.

Watch a video on rhododendrome propagation methods:

Conclusion

Breeding deciduous rhododendrons and caring for them requires some knowledge and effort. But if you follow all the rules of irrigation, withstand the necessary temperature, cut it and feed it in time, you can expect a beautiful flowering deciduous rhododendron.