Rhododendrons are a truly versatile and low-maintenance plant, suitable for a wide
range of environments. In this article, Rebecca Hughes from Blue Mountain Nurseries
gives landscapers her top tips to ensure rhododendrons thrive in their environment,
plus picks out a few of her favourite types!
In gardens, taller rhododendrons can be anchor plants, with smaller evergreen rhododendrons being used to form foundation plantings to give a sense of structure and form. Rhododendrons as anchor plants bring visual interest to the garden with a variety of plant sizes, shape, flower colours, foliage types and plant forms.
Rhododendrons also lend themselves well to interesting groupings. As a guide, the smaller the leaves, the more sun they require, while the larger the leaves, the more shade and shelter is
appreciated. A guide to choosing rhododendrons based on colour and flowering times can be found at www.bmn.co.nz
Planting and Watering
Rhododendrons must have some sun to flower well, especially the small-leaved varieties. They
also require constant moisture and prefer humidity, which means a site sheltered from drying winds, particularly from the northwest, is crucial to ensuring they thrive in your clients’ garden.
Dappled shade, especially during the hot part of the day, is preferred for the larger leaved varieties.
A well-drained soil is essential, as rhododendrons are shallow-rooted and the fine feeding roots are killed if the soil becomes saturated. An ideal soil is light, porous and free draining, yet able to retain sufficient moisture for the plant’s needs. Mulching to keep the roots cool and moist is beneficial.
Rhododendron City of Dunedin
A dwarf compact bush covered with bright pink flowers in November, later turning to an attractive soft pink. Ht: 1m. Released to mark 150th anniversary of Dunedin City and Otago in 1998. PVR 1629. Bred by Blue Mountain Nurseries.
Rhododendron Percy Wiseman
Showy flowers that are peach, pink and cream, yellow throat and green marks in a rounded
truss in October. Shiny, dark foliage on a compact, vigorous plant. Ht: 1m.
Rhododendron Boule de Neige
White snowball like flowers in late October on a rounded plant. This plant is known for its heat, sun and cold tolerance. Ht: 1.5m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Princess Alice
Sweetly scented white flowers in October. Shelter from heavy frost. Ht: 1.5m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Gretsel
Large flowers of salmon orange to shell pink on a compact plant in October. Ht:1.25m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Gwyneth Masters
Large, waxy red flowers in November. Leaves are dark green on a bushy plants. No lime. A hybrid from Taranaki-raised and registered by Mrs G. Masters. Ht: 1.5m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Double Eagle
Superb, rounded trusses of apricot maturing butter yellow single flowers, with maroon-red spots in the throat in late October. Ht: 1.5m. This variety has won two awards, hence the name.
Rhododendron Blue Boy
Violet-blue flowers in early November, with a dark blotch. Ht: 1.5m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Jingle Bells
Orange flowers fading yellow with the red throat retained. Low growing with dense foliage. Flowers in October. Ht:1.5m. Evergreen.
Rhododendron Gold Finger
Red/bronze fading to beautiful yellow flowers in late October. A compact hybrid with glossy leaves. Ht: 1m. Evergreen.
Rebecca Hughes has a Botany BSc with Honours and has been National Training Manager for the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and General Manager for the Community Support Services ITO.
She is currently co-director of Blue Mountain Nurseries, a family-run wholesale and retail plant nursery established in Tapanui in 1932.