It is hardly possible to imagine a blooming garden without sprawling or, on the contrary, compact bushes strewn with colorful inflorescences. Garden rhododendron fell in love with many gardeners for its beauty. Large, sometimes fragrant inflorescences complement almost any garden composition. This plant is represented by several hundred species (more than 900), including the Caucasian rhododendron. What is this amazing shrub? What are the characteristics of its cultivation? Let's find out about it right now.
Caucasian rhododendron: plant description
Caucasian rhododendron grows in nature in the Caucasus (where, in fact, the name of the plant came from). The main place where you can find this low evergreen shrub is considered to be the border of snow fields. Unlike its tall relative, which is known as the spreading rhododendron, the Caucasian grows to a maximum height of 60 cm. However, there are cases when this culture has reached 1 meter in height.
The branches of the shrub are mostly creeping, covered with leathery leaves of an oval-oblong shape. Leaf blades are dark green on the outside, smooth. The lower part of the leaves is pubescent, with a slight reddish coating. The end of the leaf blade is pointed, the edges are bent down. The leaves are held by short, but rather thick petioles.
The inflorescences of the Caucasian rhododendron reach 10-15 cm in diameter and consist of 8, maximum 12, funnel-bell-shaped fragrant flowers. The color of the petals is white, with a slight yellowish tint. The inner surface of the flower is covered with greenish dots. Peduncles long, densely covered with hairs. Strong pubescence is also present on the calyxes and ovaries of pods.
The Caucasian rhododendron blooms in mid-June and continues to bloom almost until the end of July. In natural, that is, natural for itself, conditions, the plant can bloom again.
Forms of the Caucasian rhododendron
Caucasian rhododendron is represented by many decorative forms that differ from each other in the color of the inflorescences. So, in Rosea-alba, the petals are painted white with a barely noticeable pink tint. For those who want to start a pink rhododendron on the site, the Splendens form is more suitable. Lovers of yellow will love the Flavidum and Stramineum species. The petals of the flowers of the first form are decorated with green spots, and the second - orange or yellowish-red.
In a word, everyone will be able to choose the rhododendron he likes, a spreading small bush of which will decorate both a mixborder or an alpine hill, and a curb.
The best place to plant a rhododendron
So, let's move on to one of the main issues regarding the cultivation of the Caucasian rhododendron - the choice of planting site. In order for the shrub to successfully take root in the garden, it is important to remember what conditions are typical for it. Firstly, you should not plant a plant near large trees, as they will take almost all the “food” from it. Secondly, all rhododendrons do not tolerate the bright midday sun, so the place for planting it should be on the north side of the buildings. This will also help protect the shrub from the wind, which can dry out the plant's buds.
Since the Caucasian rhododendron belongs to evergreen shrubs, it is worth protecting it from the first spring sun rays. The fact is that this may not have the best effect on future flowering, and also contribute to the drying of leaf blades.
In addition to all of the above, it is important to pay attention to soil moisture throughout the year. It is better not to plant rhododendron in areas where the groundwater level rises too high. In addition, melt water from roofs or other elevations should not fall on the shrub. Moreover, flooding during the period of snow melting is unacceptable.
Planting a Caucasian rhododendron
It is better to prepare a landing pit for the Caucasian rhododendron in advance. Its depth should not exceed half a meter. The soil mixture is best prepared from the top layer of soil from under the conifers, horseacid peat and loam. In no case do not add leaf or manure humus and bottom peat to the planting pit. In this case, the substrate will be unsuitable for the plant. If the site has such a problem as the close occurrence of groundwater, it will be necessary to build a good drainage layer.
A seedling of Caucasian rhododendron is placed in a planting hole so that its root collar is at the same level as it was while the plant was in a pot or container. After planting, the shrub is watered and mulched with pine litter (half-rotted needles). In order to provide stability to the shrub, you can place a peg next to the seedling and tie the young plant to it.
Caring for the plant in the first year after planting
In the first weeks after planting the Caucasian rhododendron, it is important to ensure that its root system does not suffer from drying out of the soil. Water the plant should be plentiful, but without fanaticism. It is especially important to monitor soil moisture during a dry or hot period. With a lack of moisture, the Caucasian rhododendron, which belongs to evergreen shrubs, can shed most of the leaves.
In the first year, the rhododendron does not need to be fed, as its root system is still weak, and fertilizers can harm it (burns, for example). Care comes down to removing weeds and mulching. Weeding must be carried out very carefully so as not to damage the rhododendron roots lying close to the soil surface. For the same reason, you should not get involvedloosening the soil around the shrub. Before the onset of persistent cold weather, it is important not to forget about water-charging irrigation and shelter in the form of a hut made of branches and fallen leaves. This will help the plant survive the winter without much loss.
Water and fertilize adult rhododendrons
It is necessary to water adult plants of the Caucasian rhododendron regularly. Top dressing is made in the spring and immediately after the end of flowering. Particular attention should be paid to the type of fertilizer. Ashes and other soil deoxidizers are not suitable for rhododendron. When they are introduced into the soil, the shrub may turn yellow and even shed its leaves. The best fertilizer for spring top dressing is a mixture of superphosphate, ammonium sulphate and potassium sulphate (in a ratio of 2: 1: 1, 5). It is best to apply fertilizer in a dry form, scattering it on the surface of the soil immediately after watering or during it. If the Caucasian rhododendron was planted in the previous season, top dressing for it should consist of a mixture of superphosphate and potassium sulfate in a ratio of 2: 1.
In the middle of summer, immediately after the end of flowering, the shrub is fed with fermented grass or an infusion of chicken manure. Fertilizer is applied in liquid form, having previously dissolved 0.5 liters of infusion in a bucket of water (10 liters). Plants must be well watered before fertilizing.
How to propagate Caucasian rhododendron
The plant can be propagated by layering, seeds or cuttings. Rhododendron seeds are tied almost annually. It is important to collect them mature and with the onset of springput in a box with acidic soil. Here the grower will need all his patience, because the seedlings have to wait 2-3 years. A faster and more reliable method of reproduction is layering. A he althy shoot of rhododendron is pressed to the surface of the soil with a hairpin and covered with a substrate suitable for the plant. After about a year, the rooted shoot can be carefully separated from the bush and transplanted to a new place. Cuttings as a way of propagating rhododendron are also popular among flower growers. In order to get a new plant, you need to cut he althy shoots from a shrub that has already faded and place them in a box with a sandy, wet substrate for the whole winter. In the spring, rooted branches are planted in a permanent place.
