Planting and caring for rhododendron in the Leningrad region

Proper planting and caring for a rhododendron in the Leningrad Region is the key to abundant and long flowering. Its beauty attracts the attention of novice and experienced gardeners. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, now these flowering shrubs can be kept in regions with a rather harsh climate, special varieties are not afraid of low temperatures.

Rhododendron varieties for the Leningrad region

Many growers are worried that their rhododendron will not be able to winter. So that the shrub does not suffer during wintering, it is important to choose exactly those varieties that are suitable for the Leningrad region. For regions where cold climates prevail, you should buy hybrids.

Grandiflorum

Possesses purple flowers. An adult ten-year-old bush reaches almost 3 m. Each inflorescence has up to 19 flowers, they are like a ball, odorless. The crown is about 3 m in diameter. The plant winters well, it can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C.

polar night

A unique long-lived variety, without transplanting it feels good up to 100 years. The height of the bush and the size of its crown is 2 m. The flowers are purple in color, they have corrugated petals. Their shade depends on the amount of light. In the illuminated areas, the buds are crimson, in the shade they are so dark that they seem black. In an inflorescence up to 20 buds. Winter at -26 ° C is not terrible for him. The first flowers can be seen at the end of May.

The Hague variety

The bush is very compact, similar to a sphere with a diameter of 1.4 m. It blooms in the second decade of June. The petals are slightly wavy, deep pink. In each brush, 15-18 buds are tied.

Rhododendron variety Nova Zembla

Evergreen shrub does not grow higher than 1.8 m, very rarely reaches 2.5 m. It blooms in June, blooming red flowers. There are black dots on the petals inside. In the inflorescence from 13 to 17 buds, the foliage is dark green, the flowers are odorless. The crown in girth is 1.6 m. The minimum temperatures for this variety are -32 ° C.

Rhododendron Helicki

This variety thrives on acidic soils and grows in shaded areas. The shrub is low, about 1.2 m. Flowers are rich, pink and purple tint, collected in a brush of 8 or 12 pieces. With good mulching, it tolerates frosts down to -34 ° C.

Elvira variety

A low plant up to 1 m. Flowers of a red hue, reminiscent of bells, collected in bunches of 6-10 pieces. It blooms already in the second decade of May, but for the winter it requires snow cover.

Variety University of Helsinki

A tall bush up to 2 m has a crown of 1.4 m. Up to 18 buds are formed in the inflorescences, from which pink flowers with red dots bloom. You can admire them in June. The shrub is not afraid of severe winters with temperatures of -40 ° C.

Planting and caring for rhododendron in the Leningrad region

Planting a shrub in spring has an advantage: the young plant will not freeze, it will gain strength until autumn. You need to choose a suitable place for the plant. It is better if it is a plot in partial shade, the rhododendron gets along well with conifers, fruit crops, oaks. Places with abundant direct sunlight will not work. The place for the bush must be protected from drafts and wind.

Rhododendron grows poorly on loamy soils. The soil must pass water and air well.

Landing is done as follows:

1. Dig a hole at least 0.5 deep and 0.7 m in diameter.
2. A layer of drainage material (broken brick or slate, expanded clay, medium-sized crushed stone) is poured onto the bottom. You can pour some sand on top. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water in the rhizome.
3. About half of the hole is covered with sphagnum, and then another quarter of the height with acidic soil mixed with humus. To adjust the pH, you can add chopped cones, needles. In any case, the soil should not be heavy, loose.
4. The pit is well watered. A plant with a lump of earth is rolled into it, covered with soil and watered again. It is impossible to deeply deepen the plant; its root collar is not sprinkled. To make it easier to get the shrub out of the container, it is watered abundantly before transplanting.
5. Space around the barrel is necessary mulch a layer of 5 cm.

If delenki are planted, then the plant (rhizome) is recommended to be kept for 15 minutes in Ekosol solution before planting.

Spring rhododendron care

In order for the shrub to bloom well in summer, it needs to be provided with appropriate care from spring.

If you properly care for the rhododendron, then flowering can be observed throughout the summer period.

The basic rules are as follows:

1. Rhododendron loves watering, but does not tolerate stagnant water. Watering is necessary only as the soil dries out. After watering, the soil is loosened.
2. It is better to water it with rain or melt water. If you use tap water, then it must settle well so that the chlorine disappears.
3. In the spring it is necessary to make top dressing. The optimal period is the third decade of March. For each shrub, you need to take 20 g of ammonium sulfate. Instead, a solution will come in handy cow dung.
4. For mulching, it is worth using the bark of coniferous trees (spruce, pine). It is poured into a layer of 3 cm.
5. To form the crown, pruning is done in the spring, young shoots are removed above the level of dormant buds.
6. So that the shrubs do not get sick, they need to be treated in spring with Bordeaux liquid.

It is important to remember that compounds such as lime, ash or clay are contraindicated for rhododendron. They change the pH of the soil and make it unsuitable for the plant.

In order not to worry about how rhododendron winters, you should select varieties for growing that are suitable for climatic conditions. For the Leningrad region, there are many varieties that can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C. And for lush flowering, you need to provide the plant with care, starting in spring.

Rhododendrons in the Leningrad Region in the spring - video