Growing Canadian Rhododendron

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Rhododendron canadense is a beautiful plant for your garden

15-20 years ago, an ordinary gardener, even in the most rosy dream, would not have dreamed of the flower splendor and variety that we now find in stores, at exhibitions and in catalogs. But, unfortunately, there is a fly in the ointment in every barrel of honey.

The lion's share of the plants sold are grown in foreign nurseries, and therefore it is very difficult to find varieties bred in our country (among ornamental crops, perhaps only gladioli are an exception). But our weather conditions differ significantly, and for the worse, from the climate of the countries that supply us with planting material.

Of course, many foreign varieties can feel great here too, but only they need to be tested in our conditions, and trading organizations are not able to do this, and this is not their concern. Therefore, it is a pity that the experience of botanical gardens and other institutions of our country is so poorly used, where species and varieties have been tested and have been growing for many years that are much more resistant than those that are now on the market.

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Unfortunately, the majority of gardeners do not know about these plants at all, and in fact they, without creating any special problems, can decorate our gardens wonderfully. And, in fact, the main problem faced by a gardener who wants to get such a species or variety is where to get it?

True, recently interest in such plants has been growing, and I would like to hope that domestic nurseries will gradually not only grow the acquired foreign plants, but will pay more attention to the cultivation of species and varieties that are resistant in our country. For now, let's talk about some of them so you know what to ask sellers about when you visit a fair, store, or trade show.

In recent years, in the spring, in all large supermarkets, boxes with pictures have appeared on sale, which an unprepared person can easily bring to a heart attack with their magnificence, and in these boxes are seedlings of evergreen rhododendrons with amazing dark green glossy leathery leaves and tight cone-shaped buds ready to open bouquets of amazing flowers.

True, such a picture could be seen only by those who bought these plants immediately after they entered the store, since the conditions of the supermarket's trading floor are completely inadequate in humidity and temperature for long-term storage of these handsome men. But this is not the point now.

The fact is that not all varieties of rhododendrons, especially evergreens, do well on our sites. And it is often impossible to achieve an effect like the one depicted on the packaging box. But the shrub is really magnificent, and I really want to grow it in my garden!

But among the rhododendrons there are species that are much more unpretentious, and one of them is the Canadian rhododendron. This rhododendron belongs to the group of deciduous species, it comes from the marshes of North America, and therefore can grow in waterlogged areas, which are not uncommon in our area. It grows quite quickly, reaching a height of 1 meter, and the width of the curtain significantly increases with age, because this rhododendron forms shoots that can be used for reproduction.

The Canadian rhododendron blooms in late May - early June, before the leaves bloom, the flowers are pink-lilac, located at the ends of the shoots, and if the buds were not damaged by frost, then the bush looks like a lacy pink cloud. After flowering, seeds are abundantly tied, which can self-sow, but to preserve the strength of the plant, it is better to remove them.

In summer, the bush retains its neat shape, and at the beginning of autumn, the leaves acquire a bright reddish color, and this rhododendron again attracts the eye. What does it take to make this amazing plant thrive in your garden?

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Planting rhododendron canadian

In my experience, it grows better after all in a place where there is protection from the midday sun, although this shrub can grow in full sun. The landing pit for him needs a small one, because the root system is very compact, but if you want the bush to creep to the sides, take this into account and make the hole wider (up to 1 m).

The depth is also needed shallow - about 40 cm. Although the Canadian rhododendron, like other deciduous species, is less capricious than its evergreen relatives, nevertheless, when planting, especially if the soil in your area is clay, be sure to fill the hole with a loose mixture of peat and sand, as well as coniferous (better than pine) litter, which is easy to collect on a walk in a pine forest. Organic matter can only be added well rotted.

No calcareous materials are applied under the rhododendrons. Since the planting pit is filled with a very loose substrate, it is better to prepare it in advance so that the earth has time to settle by the time of planting, or you have to fill the soil with a rather high mound. It is necessary to plant a rhododendron in the spring, an autumn planting may be unsuccessful.

The planted plant must be watered abundantly, and it is better to mulch the soil under it with pine needles, peat or moss. My Canadian rhododendrons have been growing in the garden for six years now, and apart from the annual mulching with rotten needles, they do not receive additional nutrition. But, if the need arises, they can be fed with a special fertilizer for rhododendrons or Kemira-lux.

Reproduction and wintering

As for reproduction, it is easiest to separate the layers from the bush in the spring, but you can grow from seeds, although this is quite difficult - rhododendrons grow slowly, and it is very difficult to endure the first winter. But if you like the rhododendron, it can multiply by self-seeding. One of the biggest challenges you face when growing these plants is protection from the spring frost, which can destroy almost all buds and rob you of the joy of enjoying a lush bloom. To prevent this from happening, the rhododendron must be covered.

Since at this time someone constantly lives in the country at this time, we cover the plants with large boxes from under household appliances at night - they do not crush branches and do not break off the buds. If you appear in the garden only occasionally, then it is better to wrap the bush with thick non-woven material in several layers, but first you should make some kind of simple frame so that the shelter does not damage future flowers. If the spring is dry, then the rhododendron requires watering.

You also need to water the bushes in the fall, especially if there is no rain. And in the summer, the rhododendron will really like it if it is surrounded by humid air all the time, so if you plant it near the shore of some reservoir, it will be grateful to you for it. Moreover, unlike other species that are sensitive to waterlogging of the soil, the Canadian rhododendron can be planted near the shore of not only an artificial pond, but also a natural one. This shrub does not require any special shaping, except that sometimes you have to remove broken branches, but otherwise this beautiful plant brings only pleasure.