Planting and caring for rhododendron in Siberia (photo) is available to almost everyone

Blooming rhododendron adorns the landscape with beautiful, vibrant, large flowers. In regions with warm climates, gardeners can admire these plants throughout the summer, planting different varieties in the plots. To grow a rhododendron in regions with extreme weather conditions, you need to pay attention not only to proper planting, but also to the selection of suitable varieties. Planting and caring for rhododendron in Siberia (photo) have their own distinctive features.

The main characteristics of the plant

Rhododendron belongs to the garden ceremonial crops, suitable for landscape design. Under natural conditions, it grows in the USA, Japan, China, India, preferring the slopes and coast reservoirs... Among the known species are tall and low-growing trees (evergreen, deciduous), shrubs and semi-shrubs. They differ in height, splendor and flowering time, shape, size and color of buds, as well as preferred climatic conditions.

Indoor azaleas are also referred to as rhododendrons. They have similarities in appearance and similar requirements for growing conditions.

What is special about planting and caring for rhododendron in Siberia (photo)

Gardeners prefer to grow rhododendrons along garden paths, near the fence, in the recreation area. For planting, it is preferable to choose secluded shady places under the lush crowns of fruit and ornamental trees. In a sunny place, the wonderful rhododendron will feel extremely uncomfortable.

planting rhododendron in Siberia, it must be borne in mind that the plant does not like places with soil that is too dense, high humidity and high acidity

When planting a shrub, it is absolutely impossible to add lime and ash. Preference is given to small fraction of tree bark, sand and peat.

Wanting to grow your favorite rhododendron variety, you need to go to a specialized nursery for a seedling. Choose a medium-sized plant with lots of leaves on sturdy branches. An ornamental shrub is best planted in early spring. Try not to bury the root collar in the soil. Soil around the seedling mulch.

Watering rhododendron preferably with rainwater. It has a minimum content of magnesium and potassium.

A young plant does not need special feeding. It is enough to shed the bush with acidified citric acid water in the spring. For older plants, potassium sulfate, urea and superphosphate are used.

At the end of November, the rhododendrons are covered with special structures so that the plants do not freeze during severe Siberian frosts.

Frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons for Siberia

Based on the conditions of the northern regions, breeders bred frost-resistant rhododendron for Siberia, the varieties of which differ in color, flowering period and appearance. Let's consider the most popular varieties.

Daursky (Siberian)

An evergreen shrub called Siberian rhododendron (in some sources Daursky) grows to a maximum of 2 m in height. It is cultivated in China, Mongolia, Siberia, and Korea. It is also successfully grown in the Primorsky Territory. Withstands frosts down to -45 ° С.

Distinctive features:

• branches - dense, upward, medium leafy;
• leaves - glossy above, scaly below, dark green, from 1.5 to 4 cm long;
• flowers - up to 4 cm in diameter, collected in inflorescences, formed at the edges of the shoots;
• color - white, pink, lilac;
• flowering duration - up to 20 days in the spring;
• the duration of the growing season is up to 125 days a year.

Advantages:

• shade-tolerant;
• resistant to severe frost;
• resistant to a number of diseases.

With early flowering, the wild Daurian species covers the slopes of Eastern Siberia with a pink carpet. Warm autumn can cause re-blooming.

Maralnik (Ledebura)

The maralnik is a common rhododendron in Siberia, planting and caring for which is not difficult. He prefers rocky ground, rocky slopes, close location of ponds, rivers and other bodies of water. Grown in Western and Eastern Siberia, Mongolia and in the Primorsky Territory.

Characteristics:

• form - semi-evergreen shrub;
• maximum height - from 0.5 to 2 m;
• branches - woody are gray, young shoots are brown in color, directed upwards;
• leaves - up to 3 cm long, olive, shiny above, scaly below;
• flowers - funnel-bell-shaped, pink with a purple color at the base, collected in inflorescences;
• flowering period - from April to June, possibly repeated in September.

A distinctive feature of the Maralnik is that 70% of the foliage is preserved until spring.

Breeding hybrids

In addition to common, unpretentious species, gardeners grow rhododendron in Siberia, planting and caring for which requires systematicity and certain skills.

Hybrids are distinguished by their extraordinary coloration and large flowers:

1. "White Lights" blooms pink buds with yellow-gold spots. The bush acquires a special decorative effect in the fall, when the foliage is painted in a bronze tint. High frost resistance (up to -40 ° C).
2. Golden Lights is covered with large orange inflorescences of 10 flowers in spring. Withstands severe frosts.
3. "Karens" blooms with fragrant purple flowers, grows up to one and a half meters in height.
4. Roseum Elegance is distinguished by especially beautiful lilac flowers with a wavy edge. In height reaches 2 - 3 m. Withstands severe frosts.

The main advantage of the presented varieties is long flowering in the conditions of a short summer in Siberia, as well as the long-term preservation of the culture that can survive at extremely low temperatures.

Winter-hardy varieties of rhododendrons - video