Deciduous azalea: photos, varieties, cultivation

Deciduous rhododendron belongs to the heather family. The abundantly flowering shrub is used in group plantings to decorate the garden. The shrub blooms profusely in early summer. During the flowering period, leaves are not visible behind the multiple flowers. Most varieties are characterized by compact, dense bushes.Well adapted to the climate in Russia.

Description of deciduous rhododendron

Deciduous rhododendrons are highly decorative both during flowering and in the autumn. The average height of the bush is about 1 m, the growth of most varieties is slow. The flowers are shaped like a bell or a cup. The group blooms early, occurring in late spring - early summer.

Deciduous azalea varieties have a wide range of bright colors of flowers and their combinations. Salmon, yellow, orange, beige, and red shades are characteristic.

The flowers are large, collected in inflorescences of 2 to 20 flowers. The leaves of different varieties of deciduous rhododendrons change color from green to yellow, crimson and burgundy throughout the season.

Types and varieties of deciduous rhododendrons

Deciduous rhododendrons are hardier and have increased winter hardiness. Deciduous varieties require less care, so they are especially suitable for beginners to grow beautiful flowering shrubs.

Japanese deciduous rhododendron

The species is popular due to its high decorativeness, unpretentiousness and winter hardiness. The shrub grows dense, branched, with a height of 140 to 180 cm. The leaves are large. It blooms for a month - in late spring - early summer with the simultaneous appearance of leaves.

The flowers are fragrant; 7-10 pieces are formed in the inflorescence. The diameter of the flower is 6-8 cm. The flowers of the Japanese deciduous rhododendron are salmon-colored with shades of light, orange, and red. Grows in partial shade and sun, increasing by 20-25 cm per year.

Deciduous Rhododendron Lights

Rhododendron Lights belong to American selection, which has been carried out since the beginning of 1930. The varieties are characterized by increased winter hardiness - down to -40°C. The bushes grow up to 1.5 m.They bloom in late spring.

The varieties are also decorative in the autumn, changing the color of the foliage to yellow, orange or red. Variety of colors:

• white;
• pink;
• light pink;
• white-yellow;
• salmon.

Rhododendron deciduous Canon Double

Shrub height - 1.2-1.8 m with a wide crown, branches grow vertically. The leaves are matte green, young with slight pubescence, mature leaves are bare, turning red-burgundy by autumn. The flowers are large, double, multicolored. With a shimmer of white, yellow, pink, apricot shades.

Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 7-8 pieces. They have a subtle, delicate aroma. Blooms from late May to mid-June. Photophilous, tolerates partial shade. Winter hardiness – down to -26°C.

Rhododendron deciduous Berry Rose

A shrub with a wide, compact crown, reaches a height of 1.5-2 m. The leaves at the beginning of the growing season are brown-red in color, then turn green. The buds are red-orange, the flowers are 5-7 cm in diameter, pink with a yellow spot. The inflorescence produces 10-14 flowers.

Flowers with a pleasant aroma. It blooms for about 3 weeks, starting in early summer. Loves partial shade. Frost resistance – down to -25°C.

Rhododendron deciduous pink

Deciduous shrub native to North America, collections of which were obtained in 1980 and 1985. Reaches a height of 3 m. Young shoots with weak pubescence. The leaves are elongated, pointed, 3-7 cm long, gray-green above, densely pubescent below, grayish.

Flowers are fragrant, collected in 5-9 pieces. The stamens are gracefully curved and twice as long as the corolla tube. Blooms in May-June. Winter-hardy, but in very cold winters the tops of annual shoots freeze.

Rhododendron deciduous Bloombux

Hybrid of German selection. Varieties began to be bred in 2000.The bush forms a low-growing bush with a dense, compact crown. The size of the bush reaches 1 m in width and height. With small, narrow leaves that are practically invisible against the background of the blossoming buds.

Flowering in June, for 4 weeks. The flowers are 5-6 cm in diameter, white-pink with wavy petals. The shape of the flowers is bell-shaped or cup-shaped. Adapts well to neutral soil composition. Frost resistance is average - down to -20°C.

Rhododendron deciduous Klondike

One of the best varieties with yellow flowers. The bush is up to 1.3 m in height and width, with medium vigor. The crown is dense. The flowers are fragrant, funnel-shaped, large. Young leaves are bronze in color.

The buds are red-orange. It blooms in fiery golden color with a hint of red. The saturation and depth of color gains as it grows. Flowering is abundant in April-May. Grows in sunny places and in partial shade. Frost resistance – down to -25°C.

Rhododendron deciduous Brilliant Red Costers

Ornamental shrub with a spreading crown. Height - up to 1.5 m. The leaves are light green, changing color to burgundy-red and orange in the fall. The flowers are simple with a pleasant aroma, red, red-orange. There is an orange spot on the upper petal.

Blooms from May to June. Grows in open sunny areas and also in partial shade. Frost-resistant.

Rhododendron deciduous Fireworks

Vertical, slow-growing shrub, up to 1.8 m high. Dense crown. The leaves are shiny, 10 cm long, 4-5 cm wide. The color of the leaves at the beginning of the season is bright green, changing to yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The inflorescences are concentrated at the tops of the shoots and form 6-12 flowers.

The photo of deciduous rhododendron Fireworks shows large, fiery red flowers characteristic of the variety. They open wide, the edges of the petals are slightly turned out. They bloom before the leaves appear or simultaneously with them. The variety is photophilous and can be grown in some shade. Winter hardiness – down to -25°C.

Rhododendron deciduous Gibraltar

One of the bright, beautifully flowering orange deciduous rhododendrons. The bush is spreading, densely growing, reaching 1.5-2 m in height and width. With an average growth rate. The leaves are dark green at the beginning of the season. Later they become crimson with a transition to orange-yellow.

The flowers are numerous, bright orange, large. The shape of the flowers is bell-shaped or cup-shaped. Inflorescences consist of 5-10 flowers. Flowering continues from mid-May to early June. Winter hardiness zone – 5.

Rhododendron deciduous Rosie Lights

An upright growing shrub with good branching, spreading. Height - up to 1-1.5 m. Leaves are oblong, concave, pointed. When blooming, the leaves have a greenish-yellow tint, turning into burgundy in the fall.

The flowers are large, funnel-shaped with a wave along the edge. The color is bright pink. The inflorescence unites 8 flowers. Very fragrant. A variety with high frost resistance.

Rhododendron deciduous Mandarin Lights

A variety bred in the USA in 1990. An erect shrub, quickly growing, with a rounded crown, up to 1.8 m in height. The leaves are elliptical, pointed, flat, moderate olive green.

Blooms from late May to late June. The flowers are narrow, funnel-shaped, collected in spherical inflorescences of 7-10 pieces. The shade of the petals is red-orange with a dark vein, the edges are wavy. Flowering is abundant.Frost resistance – down to -36°C.

Deciduous rhododendron in landscape design

Deciduous rhododendrons like to grow in group plantings of 3 or more plants. This feature can be used when creating decorative corners, combining different varieties of crops. Groups are placed near walls, paths and on open lawns. When planting, it is important to consider the height of mature plants, combining groups by size.

Rhododendrons feel great near water, so they can be used to decorate artificial ponds and fountains. Shrubs go well with bulbous crops. Ferns and hostas are planted nearby.

Due to their demands on soil, azaleas are planted with plants of the heather family, as well as various coniferous trees and shrubs. The compositions are complemented with large stones.

Features of growing deciduous rhododendrons in the Moscow region

Deciduous rhododendron varieties can be safely purchased for cultivation in central Russia. Caring for and growing deciduous azaleas in the Moscow region is not particularly difficult. It is preferable to plant young shrubs in the spring. But it is permissible to replant seedlings in a container with a closed root system throughout the warm period.

Planting and caring for deciduous rhododendron

Rhododendron is a long-liver in the garden and can grow in a permanent place for about 30 years. Therefore, to start planting and caring for deciduous azalea, it is necessary to choose a suitable place, taking into account the growth of the shrub and its adult size.

In the first 2 years, shrubs are characterized by slow growth. The culture does not like to grow in a single planting; it is preferable to group shrubs with similar species.But do not plant it close to trees that have the same shallow root system.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

Completely open places and full sun, where plants can burn out, are not suitable for growing rhododendron. Moderate shade should be created on the site for deciduous shrubs. This is done at the expense of buildings or neighboring trees. It is necessary to create wind protection at the growing site.

The area for growing rhododendron should not be flooded in the spring and during rains. To grow, the crop requires soil that is acidic, loose, and has good air permeability. Therefore, when planting rhododendron for the first time, suitable soil for planting is created anew.

Seedling preparation

A rhododendron seedling can grow in a container for several years. When planting, roots that have been in contact with the walls of the container for a long time die and create an impenetrable layer for living roots. In this case, the plant will not be able to develop. Therefore, when excavating a clod of earth, the roots are inspected and the dead ones are carefully cut off.

Also, for better growth of healthy roots, several cuts are made across the coma. The roots are straightened, but the soil is not completely removed. If the root system is in good condition, the plant is planted with a completely preserved earthen ball.

Rules for planting deciduous rhododendron

The rhododendron root system is fibrous and grows wide. Therefore, a large pit is prepared for planting, several times wider than the size of the seedling. The pit is filled with an acidic substrate. To do this, components that give an acidic reaction are added to the garden soil taken out of the hole: red high-moor peat, pine litter.

Sand is added as necessary to loosen it. The components are thoroughly mixed. Ready-made substrate for rhododendron can also be purchased commercially.

When planting, you can add superphosphate or a complex of mineral fertilizers to the soil mixture. About 20 cm of a drainage layer, for example, made of expanded clay, is poured onto the bottom of the planting hole. The hole is filled with prepared acidic substrate and the seedling is lowered.

An important rule for planting rhododendron is that the root collar of the plant is not buried, leaving it 2 cm above the soil level. If you neglect this rule, the plant will stop blooming and die over time.

During planting, the soil is lightly pressed to fill any voids. A small earthen ridge is formed around the planting, and the seedling is watered abundantly. After a few weeks, the soil around the bush is leveled.

The root system of rhododendron is superficial, so when caring for plants, loosening and digging the soil is not used. The soil around the bushes must be mulched with pine bark or pine needles. Mulch is added several times a season. Manure, black soil and lowland peat are not used for the protective layer.

Transplanting deciduous rhododendrons

Deciduous rhododendrons are good at moving. Replanting is most often required when the condition of the shrub in the previously chosen location is unsatisfactory. It is more favorable to replant plants in early spring or late autumn, but not during the flowering period.

Dig out the bush carefully, taking into account that the root system spreads wider than deep and is close to the soil surface. The bush is taken out along with a lump of earth and transported to a pre-prepared planting hole.

At the new planting site, it is recommended to maintain the orientation to the cardinal points in which the shrub grew previously. After transplantation, the plant is watered and shaded for several days.

Watering and fertilizing

When growing deciduous rhododendron, it is important to monitor soil moisture. The soil under the plants should not dry out, but should always remain moderately moist. The shrub responds well to light sprinkling with warm water. Spraying is especially useful in cloudy weather. Do not water rhododendrons with tap water or cold water from a hose.

Fertilizing is carried out several times a season, using instant specialized fertilizers with an acidic reaction.

Heather compost is used to feed deciduous rhododendron. Which includes:

• heather soil - the top layer of pine forest litter;
• coniferous litter (needles, branches, bark, cones);
• parts of old stumps;
• moss;
• high-moor peat is red.

The components are placed in a compost bin, where they decompose over several years to a homogeneous granular mass. The mixture is sprinkled under the bushes in small portions several times during the growing season.

To maintain the acidic reaction of the soil, once every 10 days it is watered with water with the addition of special preparations based on lactic acid bacteria or citric acid is used.To deoxidize the soil, once every few years a handful of colloidal sulfur is scattered under the bushes.

Pruning deciduous rhododendrons

Deciduous rhododendrons independently form a compact crown, so pruning is carried out only if necessary, once every 3-5 years. The procedure is carried out on dormant buds; frozen and dry shoots are removed in the spring. Sections of thick stems are treated with disinfectant compounds.

The leaves on the bush appear along with the flowers and continue to grow after flowering. To preserve their decorative appearance, faded flower stalks are twisted or carefully cut off so as not to damage the buds from which new leaves appear.

Preparing deciduous rhododendrons for winter

The group of deciduous rhododendrons is characterized by increased winter hardiness. Mature plants do not need shelter. Only recently planted young plants are protected.

The timing of sheltering deciduous rhododendron, depending on the region of cultivation, occurs when constant, negative temperatures from -10°C are established. Earlier cover can damage the root collar of the plant, which will begin to rot, especially with a sudden change in temperature or a prolonged thaw.

The root collar is hilled up for the winter by adding rotted sawdust or pine bark. The mulch layer, depending on the size of the bush, ranges from 5 to 20 cm.

For an air-dry shelter, a frame is built from boards or arcs and covered with spunbond. The shelter should be free and not located close to the branches.A gap is left at the bottom of the structure for air to pass through. Plastic film, especially dark in color, is not used so as not to provoke overheating and rotting of the bush.

In spring, the cover is removed after the soil has warmed up or the soil is warmed with warm water and the mulch layer is raked away. Otherwise, with warm air but cold ground, the roots will not be able to supply moisture to the leaves, which will lead to drying out of the bush.

Reproduction of deciduous rhododendron

Deciduous rhododendrons are propagated by seeds and cuttings. Seeds are germinated in a moist sand-peat mixture at a temperature of +12... +15°C. Flowering from such seedlings occurs in the 5th-6th year of cultivation.

Cuttings from an adult plant are taken in mid-summer. The stalk should be 7-9 cm long with several leaves. Root the cuttings in a damp mixture of sand and peat. In the southern regions, rooted cuttings are planted in the ground under dry cover. In colder areas, seedlings are left in a cool room for the winter.

Pests and diseases of deciduous rhododendrons

Rhododendron is especially susceptible to fungal diseases, which can be caused by an inappropriate growing location or pest infestation. The plant is affected by rust and various leaf spots. For prevention, bushes are sprayed with preparations containing copper.

Rhododendron can be damaged by various pests:

• mealybug;
• scale insect;
• spider mite;
• bedbugs;
• weevils;
• rhododendron fly;
• slugs and snails.

The bush must be inspected periodically.To get rid of insects, broad-spectrum insecticides and acaricides are used, for example, Karbofos.

Conclusion

Deciduous rhododendron is a perennial shrub that does not lose its decorative appearance throughout the warm season. Forms compact, dense bushes. The foliage changes color in autumn. During the flowering period, numerous inflorescences are painted in the brightest shades and have a fragrant aroma. In addition, deciduous rhododendrons are winter-hardy.

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