RHODODENDRON’S

The old collector's maxim - "You can never have too much of a good thing..." remains as true today for antique hunters as plant lovers worldwide.

The excitement of searching, discovering, acquiring, displaying and maintaining items of special interest becomes all the more thrilling when those cherished "collectables" flourish and repay a little care and attention with a lifetime of flowery rewards.

Until the middle of the 19^th Century, Rhododendron collecting was a dangerous business.  With China, one of their major countries of origin closed to westerners, many plant hunters risked life and limb venturing further inland than the coastal trade ports.

Generally requiring peaty lime-free, humus-rich acid soil in which to thrive, many an enthusiasts' collection has been founded on the noteworthy species that passionate plant hunters from the past gambled everything for.  And when one sees Rhododendrons flowering at their best in spring and early summer, it's obvious why so many modern-day gardeners have been smitten with the same collectors' bug.


Flared, bell-shaped blooms trumpet the arrival of warmer weather during March, April and May, in a kaleidoscope of shades...promising every exquisite hue, except true blue.  Backed by handsome evergreen, "kidney bean" or longer "hounds tongue" leaves, their compact, usually dense, domed growth habit makes "Rhodo's" desirable container patio plants.


Opening up a whole new world of planting possibilities for alkaline soil gardeners, varieties grafted onto special lime-tolerant rootstocks are now available for collectors, though in a limited edition range.  However, if you too are bewitched by the diverse acid-loving hybrids, planting "Rhodo's" in containers, or building a raised bed for a new ‘mini-collection', offers the ideal, self-contained, ericaceous compost option.

When searching for your dream plant, pay heed to expert advice and select for healthy dark green foliage and plenty of expectant flower buds - sure to offer a rewarding show over the coming weeks ahead.  As all Rhododendrons are fibrous and shallow-rooted shrubs, water regularly to maintain soil moisture - especially during the summer months or spells of windy weather.  Their matt evergreen foliage seldom wilts, making it extremely difficult to see the usually obvious warning signs of dryness at the roots - a frequent cause of death if ignored long-term.


A COLLECTORS LOT...

‘Gold Flimmer' - One of the best variegated "Rhodo's" with deep green healthy foliage heavily splashed golden yellow at the centre of each leaf, over a compact, mounded shrub.  Bold violet-blue trumpet flowers open from April onwards.

‘Goldkrone' - A delightful and charming cultivar with super-soft primrose-yellow flowers, lightly speckled rose on the upper lobe.  A compact and rounded bush, reaching little more than 1.2m after 10-years.

‘Gristede' - A hardy, dwarf and neat variety reaching just 60-80cm in height and spread after 10-years, with stunning clusters of violet-blue flowers in April set against good, deep green foliage.

‘Holden' - A classic variety, loved for its rosy-pink blooms flushed silver at the centre.  Tolerant of severe winter weather, the large, open trumpet-shaped flowers sparkle against lush, dark green leaves.

R. impeditum - A tough and showy species Rhododendron, smothered with purple-mauve open trumpet-shaped flowers in early summer - ideal for problem areas, with small, dense evergreen foliage - and particularly smart as a container shrub.

‘Morning Red' - One of the hardiest "yakushimanum" hybrids.  Large trusses of rosy-red flowers open from deeper ruby buds.  A handsome evergreen forming a round, domed mound - ideal for a position in full sun.

‘Ramapo' - An ideal rock garden shrub, ‘Ramapo' is a dwarf "Rhodo" of perfect "mushroom" shape when planted in a sunny position - smothered with purple-blue flowers early each spring.

‘Sneezy' - Tight, compact and dense, ‘Sneezy' opens rosy-red speckled flowers with a deep crimson blotch, prettily set against tidy dark green leaves.  Height 1.5m after 10-years.

‘Snow Queen' - Crisp white flowers with beautiful ruby-red spots are the crowning glory of this May to June flowering, 1.2m shrub.

‘Titan Beauty' - Bright crimson-red May bells decorate this pretty-as-a-picture hardy and compact cultivar, reaching just 90cm tall.

‘Wendy' - A new and distinct cultivar with freely branched, arching growth and attractive semi-double pink flowers, spotted dark purple towards the centre.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GARDEN GATE...

‘Ikebana' is the minimalist Japanese art of flower arranging.  More of a "creative expression" or "spiritual journey using plant material" - it is strictly disciplined, drawing emphasis toward simplified shape, line and form - in vast contrast to traditional western multi-floral arrangements.

• With a "less is more" attitude, all elements must be organic - leaves, twigs, branches and flowers - set out in such a way as to make the most of natural lines, graceful shapes and harmonious colour combinations.
• With arrangements often based on the powerful "triangle" principle (symbolising heaven, earth and man, or sun, moon and earth) - the container also forms a key element in each design, with various styles of pottery and porcelain employed as a sympathetic base.
• This simple "triangle" shape at the heart of many Ikebana designs lends itself easily to translation into conventional planting and garden design - drawing even greater emphasis to the vital structure, form and meaning behind each and every arrangement.