Rhododendron: seasonal care. Plant care. Proper care of rhododendron in the garden

– it's charming ornamental plant for your garden. But it is not easy to grow in our area. The homeland of this flower is the Mediterranean, which indicates its thermophilicity, and poor frost tolerance. Therefore, in order for the plant to take root, it will be necessary to comply with all the conditions for proper agricultural technology and provide it with proper care. Today we’ll talk about how to choose the right seedlings for planting rhododendron on your site, about the features of this process, and also pay attention to the subsequent care and preparation of rhododendron for winter. In addition, information regarding its application in landscape design.

The right choice of planting material

Two- or four-year-old rhododendron bushes are best suited for planting. When buying, pay attention to the bushiness of the cuttings of the seedling (the most tenacious ones branch immediately near the root neck), and to its leaves (should be free of spots and swellings). Also, be sure to inspect the roots of the seedling, it is unacceptable that they have wet blotches and knots. The place where you buy seedlings is also important.

It is best to buy them in experienced gardeners or special nurseries, and not desirable - in the markets, since they have much less chances (most sellers simply do not know what varieties and types they sell).

Important!Beginners are advised to start not with a specific variety of rhododendron, but with planting the species. Since the species is less whimsical, and more frost-resistant than the variety obtained on its basis. Despite the fact that the varieties are very tempting with their wide variety of shades, the species also stand out for their variety of colors.

Planting rhododendron in the garden

When planting a rhododendron in the garden, certain guidelines must be followed when and where to plant a rhododendron, how to do it correctly, and how to prepare the soil.

Did you know?The tree rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal. In this country, rhododendron is consumed in the form of pickled flowers, and in the form of juice.

When to plant rhododendron

It is recommended to plant rhododendron in the ground from early April to mid-May, and from September to November. But in fact, this can be done at any time during the growing season of the plant, in addition to the flowering period of the rhododendron, and a couple of weeks after flowering.

Where is the best place to plant a rhododendron on the site

It is better to plant rhododendron in shady place, With north side at home. The soil should be loose, acidic, well-drained, rich in humus. When ground water on your site lie at a depth of less than one meter, then the planting is done on a raised bed. When planting a rhododendron, it is also important to pay attention to neighboring plants.

It is undesirable to plant rhododendron close to trees that have a superficial root system, because they will take all the nutrients from the plant. Birch, willow, maple, chestnut, linden, alder should also be attributed to undesirable neighbors, and apple trees, pears, pines, spruces, larches, poplars belong to the inhabitants of the site near which rhododendron can be planted.

How to prepare the soil and plant a rhododendron

• First of all, prepare a hole for planting. The pit is dug about 40 cm deep and about 60 cm in diameter.
• Then prepare a mixture of eight buckets of high-moor peat and three and a half buckets of loam (loam can be replaced with two buckets of clay). Mix this mixture thoroughly, pour into the pit, and tamp well.
• After that, dig a hole in the soil the same size as the root of the seedling.
• Before planting directly, put rhododendron seedlings in water, and hold them there until air bubbles stop emitting.
• Place the seedling in the hole and fill the hole with substrate to the very top so that the root collar is at the level of the surface of the site, tamping it down to eliminate all voids.
• Water the plant abundantly, and mulch the soil around the trunk with peat, moss, sawdust, oak leaves, or pine needles, a layer of about 5-6 cm.

Important!If the seedling has a lot flower buds, then it is better to remove them so that all the forces of the plant are directed to the rooting of the rhododendron, and not to its flowering.

The combination of rhododendron with other plants and use in landscape design

Rhododendron will find its place in landscape design of almost any style. The plant looks excellent in the role of a tapeworm, and in group compositions, and in the latter case it is perfectly combined with conifers, and with other species. flowering plants. It is best to select species with which rhododendron grows in its natural environment - pines, larches, ferns, junipers, and others.

Rhododendron is perfect for decorating rocky gardens and alpine slides. Suitable for this undersized species rhododendron with different terms flowering. You can compose them, decorating rocky slopes, with gentian, mountain pine, and heather.

Medium-sized types of rhododendron are often used in group landings in the form of living fences, with the selection of the desired shades of the plant. For example, rhododendrons yellow flowers go well with those shrubs that bloom red and bright orange flowers, and rhododendrons with purple and pink flowers - with plants that bloom white.

Shrubs look good planted on the lawn or along garden paths and borders, especially when decorating a parterre lawn, although in this case only mature rhododendron shrubs (at least ten years old) are suitable.

When creating group compositions with rhododendrons, it is recommended to combine evergreen species with deciduous ones, while correctly "mixing" plants different heights. Looks better in the center of the composition tall shrubs, and at the edges - stunted.

Proper care of rhododendron in the garden

Caring for a rhododendron consists of the usual procedures for plants: feeding, watering, spraying, weeding, pest and disease control, bush formation.

Important!Loosening the soil around the plant is prohibited, and even more so digging it up, since the roots of the rhododendron are placed too close to the surface. For the same reason, weeds are best removed by hand, without using choppers.

How to water

Rhododendron requires atmospheric and soil moisture more than other plants, especially when buds are formed and during flowering. You need to water it regularly, and in dry weather you should also spray the plants with water. Proper watering It also affects the laying of flower buds of next year's rhododendron. Water the plant with soft water(settled, thawed, or rain), which can be softened with a handful of high-moor peat thrown a day before watering.

The frequency of fluid application is determined by the condition of the leaves: for example, when they are dull and have lost their elasticity, then the plant is thirsty. When watering, the soil should get wet to a depth of 20-30 cm.

Important!When watering, you can not pour the roots of rhododendron, because they are very sensitive to excess moisture. You can learn about an excess of fluid by lowered and curled leaves.

How to feed a plant

The first feeding of rhododendron is done in early spring, and the last - at the end of July, at the end of the flowering period, when young shoots begin to grow. Can be used to feed the plant half-ripened cow dung, and horn flour. Rhododendron prefers liquid top dressing, so the manure is poured with water (ratio 1:15), and left to brew for a couple of days. Before you apply fertilizer for rhododendron, it should be watered.

If we talk about mineral fertilizers, then in order not to disturb the reaction of the environment (rhododendron grows in acidic soils), it is best to use superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, low concentration magnesium (1.2: 1000), and an even weaker solution of potash fertilizers.

Optimal mode top dressing involves the introduction of organic or mineral nitrogen-containing fertilizers at the rate of fifty grams of magnesium sulfate and fifty grams of ammonium sulfate per square meter(fertilizers are applied to the soil in early spring), and at the end of the flowering period (in early June), forty grams of ammonium sulfate and twenty grams of potassium sulfate and superphosphate should be per square meter. In July, only twenty grams of potassium sulfate and superphosphate are added per square meter.

Did you know?Honey from the nectar of some species of rhododendron has hallucinogenic and laxative properties. Even the ancient Romans and Greeks spoke of side effects rhododendron honey.

How to prune a rhododendron

Rhododendron requires minimal shaping and pruning, as its bushes form the correct shape by themselves. However, from time to time it will be necessary to cut too high, frozen or old shoots, which will help rejuvenate the rhododendron. Prune rhododendron shoots in early spring, and the places of cuts are processed with garden pitch (but only where the thickness of the branches reaches 2-4 cm).

A month later, dormant buds on the shoots awaken, and a renewal process begins, which lasts for a year. Heavily frozen or very old bushes are cut at a height of 30-40 cm from the ground - one half of the bush in the first year, and the second - in the next.

Important!Rhododendrons have salient feature: in one year they bloom and bear fruit quite generously, and on next year- much more modest. To get rid of such periodicity, it is necessary to break off wilted inflorescences immediately after flowering. Then the rhododendron will use its strength and nutrition to form flower buds for the next year.

Preparing for winter and sheltering rhododendron

It is necessary to prepare the rhododendron for winter in advance. To do this, from the end of summer, you should stop fertilizing the plant with nitrogen, and switch to potash fertilizers(this will help ripen late growths). You can also add colloidal sulfur to the soil, which will acidify the soil and slow down the growth of fungi.

Rhododendron is a wonderful plant of the heather family, which, however, is not easy to grow in our northern latitudes. Their homeland is the Mediterranean, so they are very thermophilic and do not tolerate Russian winters. "Sissy", in a word. In order for them to take root, proper care and adherence to proper agricultural practices are needed.
But this flower is so charming that everything more experienced and beginner flower growers try their hand at its cultivation. It should be noted that there are a lot of pitfalls and nuances in the care of rhododendron. Let's list some of them.

Selection of planting material

There are several winter-hardy species of this evergreen plant, which have a chance to survive even with not very skillful care. These include the following species: Katevbinsky, deciduous Schlippenbach and Japanese.

in wild nature grows in North America in the highlands of North Carolina, where the Katevba River originates, which gave it a specific name. It grows well in the shade on acidic or slightly acidic soils. Handles our winters very well. The height of the bush is 2-4 meters, the leaves are leathery, dark green, 15 cm long. The flowers are large, very beautiful lilac-purple in color, up to 15 cm in diameter. Recommended for group and single plantings in gardens and forest edges in the northwestern zone of Russia .

grows in the forests of Korea, Japan, Northeast China and Western Primorye. The name is obliged to the Russian naval officer and traveler - Schlippenbach A.V. Frost-resistant, shoots appear annually. It can propagate by rooting branches and seeds. The height of a cultivated plant reaches 1.6 m. The leaves are wide, falling, in autumn they turn into bright yellow-red colors. The flowers are large (up to 10 cm in diameter), the color is pale pink, diluted with purple specks.

grows on the sun-drenched mountainous slopes of the island of Honshu. Winter-hardy, photophilous. Well propagated by cuttings and seeds. Very handsome. During the flowering period, from a distance it looks like a flame of a bright fire. Moreover, it remains so until late autumn, due to the coloring of the leaves in orange-red tones. Flowers with a tart aroma, large, orange hues. In beauty during the flowering period, it surpasses all other species that can grow in middle lane Russia. The bush grows very dense due to strong branching and reaches a height of up to 2 meters.

Successful cultivation of rhododendron largely depends on the place of purchase. planting material. The best option- nurseries or experienced gardeners which can give helpful tips on cultivation techniques and wintering rules specifically for your region. Beginners may be advised to start by planting and growing exactly the species, and not a specific variety of rhododendron. The species is less capricious and more winter-hardy than the variety obtained on its basis. And although the varieties are more attractive due to the huge variety of shades, the species also differ in a riot of all kinds of colors.

But plants bought at markets or gardening fairs have much less chances. This is because sellers often simply do not know what types and varieties of rhododendrons they are selling. In summer, such plants will bloom and decorate your garden, but only for one season. They may not survive the winter.

For breeding, two- or four-year-old bushes are best suited. In seedlings, you need to pay attention to the bushiness of the cuttings (the most tenacious ones begin to branch immediately at the root neck) and to the leaves (there should be no spots or swellings). Inspection of the roots is also required - wet blotches and knots are unacceptable.

Soil and place for rhododendrons

Rhododendrons love acidic soils and are tolerant of waterlogging. it shade-loving plants, which many flower growers simply do not know about. Planting bushes on open areas their garden, they wait years for a bloom that may never come. However, it has been noticed that competent transplants only benefit this plant. Therefore, do not be afraid to experiment with the choice and change of landing site. True, we are talking about well-established perennials. Keep in mind that the root system of rhododendrons is superficial and very compact. It won't be hard to dig it out.

When planting a rhododendron, it is very important to pay attention to neighboring plants that will surround the "rose tree". Trees with a shallow root system are undesirable, which will leave him without nutrients. bad neighbors for rhododendron: oak, birch, willow, maple and some other trees. good neighbors: sprawling apple trees, pears, pines, spruces, larches. Some types of deciduous "pink trees" can also be planted in open areas (Daurian, Kamchatka, Canadian), but even they grow better in scattered shade. AT landing pit it would be nice to add a mixture of peat and rotted compost soil in a ratio of 3: 1. Planting rhododendrons in the soil is done up to the level of the root collar. From above, you can fill it with sawdust with a layer of 5-7 cm. Before planting, be sure to shake the roots with your hands so that they straighten out.

Rhododendron Care

In summer, caring for rhododendrons is simple: removing wilted inflorescences, regular watering and frequent spraying of plants in hot weather jets of water. tap water with bleach and lime for watering these capricious plants totally unsuitable. The best option: rain, melt or running water. Rhododendrons tolerate only soft water, which lathers well and does not form scale on electrical appliances. Rhododendrons respond well to top dressing before flowering, immediately after it and in late summer - early autumn.

For top dressing, there is a special instant fertilizer for rhododendrons (20-30 grams per 1 liter of water). You can add 5-10 grams of any nitrogen fertilizer. From autumn feeding nitrogen must be excluded, and 30 g of superphosphate should be added under each bush with the addition of 15 g of potassium sulfate. Be sure to mulch the soil under them with sawdust conifers twice a year - in early spring (when the snow melts) and at the end of summer. The benefit is double: the soil will not dry out, and coniferous sawdust will reduce its acidity. In addition, the mulch is well protected from weeds.

Preparation of rhododendrons for winter and shelter for the winter season

Here it is necessary to make a reservation. By winter, they need to be prepared everywhere, but the timing of its start for different regions- are different. In the conditions of the middle zone, the beginning should be considered the first days of August. In a dry autumn, abundant watering is needed - at least 10-12 liters of water for each mature plant. After the onset of the first frost, rhododendrons should be covered with burlap, lightly tying the branches with twine. It is necessary to remove the cover in early spring, after the snow has melted. This is necessary to ventilate the bushes. It is better to do this on a cloudy day, as spring sun can harm a bush that has not yet awakened.

One of the most popular garden shrubs England has always had a rhododendron. For its beauty, admiring Englishmen called it the Alpine Rose. Abundantly strewn with delicate flowers, the bush resembled a large cloud. On the territory of Russia, the rhododendron appeared only at the end of the 18th century, since the heat-loving tender plant was ill-adapted to the harsh winter conditions. Rhododendron planting and care in the conditions of central Russia is a rather complicated topic.

Rhododendron can survive in these latitudes when favorable conditions are created, and we can talk about flowering only when careful care and the hard work of gardeners. However, the splendor and abundance of flowering can reward all efforts a hundredfold.

Rhododendron is a separate genus flowering shrubs, although there are also tree-like forms belonging to the Heather family. Its leaves can be evergreen, overwintering or deciduous. The first ones remain on the bush for up to 3-6 years, after which they are replaced by new ones, the wintering ones live only 1 year, and the falling ones are replaced every year, falling off in the fall, like in other plants. The shape of the leaves can be different: ellipsoid, round, spear-shaped. Corymbose inflorescences consist of large flowers of different shapes and colors.

The homeland of the rhododendron is the territory of the Far East, the mountain forests of Japan and China.

Rhododendron can be attributed to medicinal plants, since its leaves are rich in ascorbic acid. It is used to treat heart disease, rheumatism, epilepsy, colds, chronic colitis. An infusion of rhododendron leaves removes excess fluid from the body, normalizes the heartbeat, and reduces shortness of breath. However, the leaves also contain poisonous substances, so you need to be very careful in treating this plant.

In landscape design, rhododendron is used to decorate gardens in any style. He looks great as single landings, as well as in large compositions.

These shrubs go well with coniferous trees or bushes - ferns, junipers, larches.

Often undersized species of rhododendron are used to create alpine slides and rocky gardens, combining them with heather, mountain pine or gentian.

Common species and varieties

Garden shrub rhododendron has many species and even more varietal varieties. Each species has its own biological features, which significantly affects its requirements for growing conditions. Frost resistance, requirements for lighting, soil moisture, air, soil composition, etc. can change from species to species.

For example, a rhododendron large leaves reacts more strongly than others to the presence of a cold wind or draft, while needing high humidity air. Therefore, such species are recommended to be planted protected from drafts.

The most popular types include the following:

• Dahurian;
• Japanese;
• Canadian;
• Schlippebach.

Dahurian rhododendron

Refers to the evergreen variety. This is a low (about 2-4 m) branched shrub, with light or dark gray bark, rusty-brown pubescent shoots. The color of the leaves with the change of seasons varies from light green to brown. In winter, a few leaves may fall off, but young ones grow by spring. Flowering occurs before young leaves appear, and lasts about 3 weeks. Daurian rhododendron blooms with large (up to 4 cm in diameter) funnel-shaped flowers of lilac-violet color, collected in inflorescences. Sometimes by autumn flowering may begin again.

This variety includes varieties:

• AprilReign. Differs in early flowering - from about mid-April. Terry pink flowers are collected in large inflorescences;
• AprilSnow. A shorter bush, tolerates frosts down to -28 degrees. It also blooms early with large white flowers.

Japanese rhododendron

Representative of deciduous shrubs, reaching 1-2 m in height. The plant attracts attention with bright large flowers, painted in all shades of red and yellow flowers, as well as a change in foliage color from dark green in summer to crimson yellow in autumn. Flowering can last several weeks, starting in late spring. This type of rhododendron tolerates winter frosts well, provided proper preparation to wintering.

by the most interesting varieties of this type are:

• CreamCrest. Evergreen, winter-hardy shrub, withstands frosts down to -32 degrees .. Blooms in May-June with large creamy white bells;
• Aureum. undersized bush with beautiful golden flowers. It is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate heat well.

Canadian rhododendron

Low shrub (up to 1 m tall) with big leaves and large pink-purple flowers, collected in small (up to 5 pieces) inflorescences. One of the most frost-resistant species, therefore suitable for cultivation even in northern regions Russia.

Rhododendron Schlippenbach

Refers to deciduous shrubs, reaching 2 meters, although it may be small tree(up to 5 m). The oval leaves are light green in summer, changing to orange and bright purple by autumn. Spectacular flowers-bells (up to 10 cm) are collected in large (6-10 pieces) inflorescences and can be painted different shades Pink colour, although there are also white-flowered varieties. Flowering begins simultaneously with the appearance of leaves or even a little earlier.

hybrid varieties

R. hybrid "Sappho"

The most popular for gardens and flower beds in Russia are hybrid varieties rhododendron:

• JohnWalter (profusely flowering shrub with bright colors red shades);
• Pink Pearl ( fast growing shrub with large pink inflorescences);
• Sappho (white flowering hybrid);
• Purple Splendour (distinguished by a beautiful purple-violet hue of flowers).

Planting a rhododendron

Rhododendron is a very demanding plant, planting and caring for it will require quite a lot of effort. However, subject to certain rules, to grow this handsome man on his site is quite within the power of every gardener.

Seedling selection

Deciduous species of rhododendron adapt best to the Russian climate, although there are quite frost-resistant specimens also among evergreen species.

As a rule, rhododendron is propagated by seeds or cuttings. When choosing a seedling grown from seeds, one should give preference to those that reach 15 cm in height (even if they are 2-3 years old). This indicates that the plant was grown in ordinary soil, and not by hydroponics.

Seedlings from cuttings, as a rule, are larger, with a thick trunk, they grow up to 30 cm and branch quite strongly almost from the very root.

The general rule for choosing a seedling, regardless of how it is grown, is to check the leaves, branches and roots for the presence or absence of damage, breakage or signs of disease:

• roots should not be dry, brittle, with signs of decay (wet or slippery areas), knots;
• leaves, branches should not have spots, damage or thickening.

It is recommended to purchase seedlings in trusted specialized stores, whose employees will not only help with the choice, but will also be able to advise on any questions about the rules for growing rhododendron.

Place and time of landing

Rhododendron can be planted throughout the autumn or spring - in April-May. At this time, the plant has time to restore strength after flowering or laying buds and can direct its forces to rooting in a new place.

When planting a rhododendron, it is important to choose the right place where it will grow. It is best suited for areas protected from wind and drafts, where there are no direct sun rays. However, it is also not worth shading the rhododendron completely, otherwise growth will slow down, and flowering may not occur at all. ideal condition there will be diffused light under the crowns of pines, thujas or larches.

Trees or shrubs with a developed surface root system will be bad neighbors for the rhododendron, as they will deprive the bush of nutrients and moisture from the soil. Areas near a blank fence or near the eastern wall of the house are well suited. Although planting a bush near the house, it is necessary to ensure that in winter snow or icicles from the roof do not fall on it.

Rhododendrons prefer wet air and soil, so they are often recommended to be planted near water bodies (streams, ponds or pools). If this is not possible, regular spraying with warm water will have to be carried out before flowering.

Landing features

Planting a rhododendron differs little from planting other plants. He prefers loose, permeable soils with an acidic reaction (therefore, ash should not be added to the soil).

1. A planting hole is prepared at the chosen place, the diameter and depth of which is twice the root ball of the plant.
2. Be sure to lay out at the bottom of the pit drainage layer, which prevents stagnation of water and rotting of the roots.
3. A prepared mixture of heather, sphagnum peat, hardwood, humus, rotted manure and pine needles(all parts in equal quantity). The rest of the pit is filled with the "native" land of the site.
4. Before planting a seedling, the soil is thoroughly moistened. If a earthen clod the plant is high, it is immersed in a container of water for several hours so that the plant can “get drunk”. Some gardeners recommend soaking the roots for 10-12 hours before planting, adding growth stimulants to the water.
5. The seedling in the pit is placed strictly vertically, without deepening or raising it too much. The root neck should be at ground level.
6. After planting, the remaining place is covered with soil and crushed so that there are no voids in the soil.
7. The trunk circle must be mulched with pine bark or fallen needles to protect the root system from drying out and frost.

When applying fertilizer to the pit, it is important to choose one that does not contain calcium or chlorine.

If the planting of rhododendron was carried out during the flowering period, then after the end of the procedure, some of the buds must be removed. This will reduce the cost of the plant for flowering and redirect its efforts to rooting.

Another important point- fixing separately planted plants. If there are no supporting neighbors next to them, it is necessary to strengthen the bushes for some time with pegs driven into the soil. This will prevent unrooted seedlings from being uprooted by gusts of wind. It will be possible to remove them in a few months, when it becomes clear that the rhododendron has taken root in a new place and is well entrenched in the soil.

Care rules

Despite the capriciousness of rhododendrons, caring for them is not particularly difficult. First of all, they need regular spraying. It is better to do this before flowering and only in the morning or evening, otherwise the plant may get sunburn.

Watering

The most abundant watering of the rhododendron is necessary in the first year after planting, as this contributes to the early rooting of the plant. You will also need to water the shrub during periods of summer drought. For irrigation use soft acidified water.

Usually, rhododendron itself signals a lack of water - the leaves lose turgor and become dull. If they turned yellow and began to fall off, this may signal an excess of water in the soil, which makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots. In this case, the soil is carefully loosened and allowed to dry.

Fertilizer

In the first year after planting, seedlings are regularly, but little by little, fed with liquid fertilizers. Signs of malnutrition are:

• lightening of the leaves, their fall;
• haze of foliage;
• lack of buds and slow growth of young shoots.

It is best to use rotted manure for top dressing, from mineral fertilizers superphosphate works well. Before fertilizing, the soil is watered abundantly to protect the roots from burns.

pruning

Despite the fact that by nature rhododendrons have correct form crowns, from time to time they need to be pruned, removing excess branches. As a rule, branches with a thickness of 2-4 cm are cut. After trimming, it is imperative to process the cut points. oil paint or garden pitch.

Wintering

For the winter, rhododendron bushes must be covered, this will protect them from severe frosts and provide abundant flowering spring.

This procedure is carried out in mid-November. For shelter, you can use roofing material or build special frame structures or foam houses that will protect plants from gusts of wind and snow. They remove the shelter only after the air temperature reaches +10 degrees, around April. It is better to do this on a cloudy day so that the rhododendron has time to adapt to sunlight after a long winter.

Reproduction of rhododendron

The main methods of reproduction of rhododendron include cuttings and layering. Cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut from bushes in June or July, the lower leaves are removed and soaked for 24 hours in a solution of preparations that stimulate root formation. After that, they are planted in a moist soil mixture (from peat, sand and coniferous land) and cover with foil. The stalk usually takes root in 3-4 weeks.

In the case of propagation of the bush by layering, a small incision is made on the selected branch located near the ground, bent to the soil and placed in a shallow groove. Then they are fixed with wire and sprinkled with peat. It is very important to maintain a constant level of soil moisture at the rooting site of the layering. If all conditions are met, roots will appear by autumn, and in spring a young bush can be planted in its own place.

Despite the fact that rhododendron is considered one of the most capricious and demanding plants to care for, it is not too difficult to grow it on your site. Enough to provide the plant favorable conditions, and it will not be slow to please its owner with a cloud of bright colors.​

Video

Shrubs and trees that form a numerous genus of rhododendrons attract gardeners with flowers. different sizes, colors and shapes. But if the summer resident liked the rhododendron, planting and leaving open field will force him to give himself completely to this business. Only competent and attentive care will the plant respond with growth and beautiful flowering.

In nature, rhododendrons are found in many parts of the world. Russia is no exception. Far East, Caucasus and Siberia - the birthplace of several species that are perfectly adapted to local conditions. The most winter-hardy of them are used for growing rhododendron in open ground in the Urals and other regions with harsh climatic conditions.

Time and place for planting rhododendron in the ground

Based on the most beautiful wild species breeders have created many cultivars. Such plants, during flowering, are strewn with white, pink, purple, sometimes fragrant corollas. Varietal rhododendrons are most often planted in gardens, but they may not be hardy enough.

In order for planting a rhododendron in the middle lane and caring for it in the open field to succeed, you need to choose not only spectacular, but also hardy plants.

There are two favorable periods for planting shrubs in the ground:

• spring, from April to mid-May;
• autumn, from September to October.

A specific period is chosen based on climatic and weather conditions region. The further south, the earlier the soil warms up after winter, and later winter comes. In the northern regions:

• if you plant a seedling early, it will freeze from frost;
• if you delay in the fall, the plant will not have time to acclimatize and will not be able to survive the winter.

In the Urals, in Siberia, in the North-West, seedlings that got into the garden in the spring and received the most attentive care in the summer take root better. In the south, shrubs are also planted in summer, but only when there are no flowers on them.

Plants of this genus have a shallow root system. On the one hand, this helps them to gain a foothold on the slopes, but on the other hand, it complicates the care of the rhododendron after planting in the open field and worsens the situation of other species growing in the neighborhood. To limit the growth of the roots, the area allotted for rhododendron is fenced by digging in slate, roofing material, dense material for waterproofing.

How to plant a rhododendron in open ground

A hole is dug under the rhododendron with a depth of about 40 and a width of 60 cm. The bottom, if necessary, is covered with a layer of drainage, and a cone of the mixture is poured on top:

• 3 parts sour horse;
• 1 part of the land from under coniferous crops;
• 2 parts of garden soil;
• 1 part washed coarse sand.

We must not forget that in addition to the substrate with high acidity, the plant needs minerals. They are added in the form of complex fertilizer.

If the rhododendron shrub was without water for a long time before planting in the ground, root system immersed in water for several hours. The plant will invigorate, and it will acclimatize faster in a new place.

The seedling is placed at the top of a man-made mound so that the root neck, when backfilled, is not lower than the ground level. The roots are carefully untangled and spread over moist soil. When the pit is filled up, the soil is compacted and watered again to wet the ground by at least 20 cm.

After landing trunk circle densely fall asleep on the basis of peat, pine needles, crushed moss, pine bark or oak leaves. In the first year, you do not need to let the shrub bloom. This plant will require a lot of precious forces necessary for rooting. Therefore, all emerging buds are carefully cut off, and caring for a rhododendron in the open field after planting it in the spring begins with the installation of a support that will save the still weak crown from wind and other risk factors.

Caring for rhododendron outdoors after planting

Caring for a rhododendron in the garden is in many ways no different from caring for others. ornamental shrubs. The plant needs:

• soil moisture:
• regular, but very careful, so as not to damage the root system, weed removal;
• the same careful loosening of the trunk circle;
• soil fertilizer;
• help with pest attacks.

During the formation of buds and flowering, it is vital for rhododendrons to regularly receive enough moisture. If the plant is in drought conditions, it not only blooms worse this year, but also turns out to be unprepared for the next season. The optimal soil acidity for planting rhododendron in open ground in the Moscow region or another region is 4.5–5 units. In irrigation water for this decorative culture it is useful to add rotted needles from the forest floor or undeoxidized peat.

You can determine the moment when the rhododendron needs watering by paying attention to the leaves. If they have lost their tone and gloss, no need to hesitate! Abundant watering and irrigation of the crown will return the plant to its former beauty.

Rhododendrons are fertilized from early spring until the end of flowering, which occurs in the second half of summer. It is also necessary to feed the shrubs before flowering, and fertilizers must be applied to the soil moist after watering.

It is useful to use acidic products as top dressings, as well as organics, including:

• manure;
• compost with the addition of rotted forest litter;
• horn-bone meal.

Rhododendrons almost do not need formative pruning; sanitary cutting of old, frost-affected or dried shoots is carried out in early spring, before the juices begin to move.

In summer, when flowering is in progress, it is important to remove wilted inflorescences in order to save the strength of the shrub for laying flower buds next year.

During planting and caring for rhododendrons in the open field, it must be borne in mind that the culture is thermophilic and in winter, without shelter, it can be seriously affected. Frost protection is prepared in advance. Already by October in the north and by November in the middle lane, the root zone is sprinkled with peat, and then, before the onset, the crown is tied and covered with spruce branches and burlap. It will be possible to remove the shelter only in early spring, it is better on a cloudy day to avoid sunburn and cracking of the bark.

Video about choosing a place and planting rodendrons