While early spring is certainly bulbous, late spring is the undivided kingdom of azaleas and rhododendrons. It is impossible to pass by them indifferently, they always arouse my genuine admiration. Few plants can boast such a variety of colors and shapes of flowers. But nothing is for free in life … Rhododendrons belong to the heather group, so they need fertile, quite permeable and acidic (4.5-5.5 pH) soil. They prefer warm, quiet and semi-shaded positions. They feel good near tall trees with a deep root system, e.g. pines, firs or oaks.
Azaleas, due to their colorful leaves, are an additional decoration in autumn.Their color is directly influenced by the weather. If the day is sunny and the night is frosty, the leaves are strongly stimulated to change color. Once they are down, I leave them on the ground. They are the mulch that protects the plant's roots. After some time they will decompose and fertilize the soil.
Anna Walicka
Varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons recommended by our user:1. 'KABARETT' - a beautiful variety with large, lilac-pink flowers. It blooms in late May and early June. It grows up to 1.6 m in height.
2. 'SAPPORO' is a hybrid of Yakushiman rhododendron. It has large white flowers with a maroon pattern on the middle petal. Reaches over a meter in height.
3. 'PRINCESS ANNE' - small-flowered rhododendron, up to 50 cm high. The flowers are lemon yellow, small, with decorative long stamens. It blooms in May.
4. 'SARINA' - large-leaved azalea. After 10 years it grows up to 1.5 m. It has large, salmon-pink flowers with a golden-orange spot. It blooms in late May and early June.
5. 'PERSIL' - large-leaved azalea with a loose habit. It grows slowly and reaches 1.5 m in height after 15 years. It has white flowers with a golden yellow fleck. It blooms in late May and early June.
6. 'GOLDEN FLARE' is a large-flowered variety with an upright habit and large, spherical inflorescences. The flowers are very decorative, pale yellow, with a peach-orange spot on the middle petal. Height up to 1.8 m.
7. 'PFAUENAUGE' - This rhododendron has a flat spherical habit. After 10 years, it reaches a height of 1.2 m and a width of 1.5 m. It has very large, open, lilac-pink flowers with framed petals with a large, wine red spot and white stamens.
8. 'CANNON'S DOUBLE' - an American variety of azaleas from 1991, strongly growing. It has multi-colored flowers in shades of yellow, cream and pink. It blooms from late May to mid-June. Height up to 1.2 m.
9. 'NOVA ZEMBLA' - a variety of Katawbian rhododendron, especially recommended for its abundant flowering and good frost resistance.Old specimens are up to 2.5 meters high. It has beautiful, ruby-red flowers with silver stamens that shimmer like jewels against the background of red. It blooms in late May and early June.
10. 'UMPQUA QUEEN' - a strongly growing American variety of azaleas. It has large, intensely yellow, semi-double flowers gathered in spherical inflorescences. Height up to 1.2 m.
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