Evergreen plants decorate our gardens all year round, but in return they require our help before the onset of frost.Rhododendrons should be protected for the winterand it is worth remembering, because in spring we may experience unpleasant consequences … Find out why rhododendrons are so sensitive to temperature drops andhow to protect rhododendrons on winterso that in the next season they will delight again with lush green leaves and lots of beautiful flowers!
It is worth to protect the rhododendrons for the winter to avoid freezing of flower buds
Which rhododendrons do you need to protect for the winter?
Correctsecuring rhododendrons for winter affects the abundance of flowering in springWhy is this happening? Rhododendrons form flower buds in the summer of the previous year, if the winter is frosty and windy, the buds may freeze and the shrubs will not bloom. Therefore, it is worth protecting the rhododendrons for winterat the right momentto enjoy their beauty a few months later.
The frost resistance of evergreen rhododendrons varies depending on the variety , so read the information about the plant we have. The most frost-resistant rhododendrons are Rhododendron catawbiense and Finnish varieties such as 'Haaga', 'Hellikki' and 'Helsinki University'. As a rule, all others should be covered for the winter.
We should also remember that rhododendrons are also azaleas that lose their leaves in the winter.As a result, they are also less sensitive to frost.Owners of Japanese azaleas(Rhododendron japonicum) should think about winter covers for plants, as they are very sensitive to low temperatures.
Most rhododendrons winter well under snow. The worst are dry winters, without precipitation and strong gusts of frosty wind
Fig. depositphotos.com
The need to protect rhododendrons for winteralso depends on the conditions at a given cultivation site. Rhododendrons winter better in shady, warm and sheltered places. In sunny and windy positionswinter coats for rhododendrons are a must , especially in the eastern parts of Poland.
Protecting rhododendrons for winter by mounding
Very oftenrhododendrons dry up during the winterThe first symptom of this is dropped and curling leaves along the main nerve.The reason for this is the lack of available water on frosty days. This condition is intensified by sunny weather, when plants lose water in the process of transpiration, and at the same time cannot replenish it, because the surface layers of the soil, together with the water it contains, are frozen.
Flattened and rolled rhododendron leaves in winter are a sign that they lack water
To prevent thiswe protect rhododendrons against water shortage in winterby watering them abundantly in late autumn, just before the onset of frost. Then, create a mound of pine bark or peat at the foot of the bush. In addition to reducing water evaporation in the soil, pine barkalso protects the shallow root system of rhododendrons against freezingThe mound should be about 20 cm high. An additional advantage of the use of pine bark is also the effect on maintaining the acidic reaction of the soil, which is beneficial for rhododendrons.
Protecting rhododendrons with tuning
Another greatway to protect your rhododendrons for the winter is to decorate them with coniferous twigsJust cover the base of the bush with spruce or fir branches. Stroisz protects the rhododendron roots from low temperatures, and the snow stuck on it will look very atmospheric. You can put a spruce or fir twigs on a previously prepared mound of pine bark or peat.
Protection of rhododendrons with agrotextile
Agrotextile is a popular and effective material for protecting plants for the winter. It protects shrubs against low temperatures and frosty winds, allowing water and air to pass through.Securing rhododendrons for winter with agrotextileinvolves wrapping a bush 2-3 times and tying a string at its base so that the material does not slip off during winds and covers the plant on all sides. The offer of garden stores also includes ready-made winter protective hoods made of agrotextile, which have a string sewn in at the base and come in various sizes.
Securing the rhododendron with an agrotextile hood
Fig. depositphotos.com
In recent years, we have observed the phenomenon of global warming. Winters are getting warmer, dry and snow-free at the same time. In such conditions , drying cold winds and lack of water in the ground are a much greater problem than high frostsTherefore, we should remember to water rhododendrons in autumn, and instead of tightly wrapping agrotextile, usewind shields in the form of screens
Agrotextile screen protecting the rhododendron
Fig. ZielonePogotowie.pl
Good qualityagrotextile winter covers , such as white winter agrotextile roll, ready protective covers for plants and the agrotextile screens presented in the photo above can be ordered in our store.We guarantee high quality goods, low prices and fast shipping. To view the offer, press the button below.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
Based on: Muras P., Catalog of plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, Agencja Promocji Zieleni Sp. z o. o., p. 112; Bąbelewski P., Before the frosts come … covers for plants, in: My Beautiful Garden, No. 11/2014 pp. 50-51. Photo pixabay.com and its own archive.
