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Pink rhododendron will not leave any person indifferent. After all, the plant has not only delicate and exquisite flowers, but also an unforgettable aroma. This azalea comes in various varieties. Pink rhododendron can be grown as a tree or shrub.
Description of pink rhododendron
Pink azalea is a representative of the genus of rhododendrons from the Heather family. This is a beautiful, lushly flowering bush with many branches with small leaves. In the natural environment, rhododendron bushes with pink flowers are found in Asia, Japan, China and North America.
Rhododendron pink Amoena, like other representatives of the culture, is a perennial, evergreen or semi-deciduous plant. As a rule, azaleas grow in one place for about 10 years. The height of the bush or tree is up to 2 m, depending on the variety of pink rhododendron.
The foliage is medium in size, the length of the lanceolate plates is from 2.5 to 3 cm. They are smooth, with a natural gloss on the top. The leaves are bright, dark green.
The flowering is abundant, the plants bloom (depending on the variety) with buds of various shades of pink:
- rhododendron white and pink;
- rhododendron dark pink;
- pastel;
- pink and white mixes.
Pink rhododendrons bloom for about 1.5 months. The buds are collected from the inflorescence in several pieces. Flowers are double, semi-double, shiny or matte. The shape of the bud can be flat, tubular or funnel-shaped, like a bell. The sizes of inflorescences range from small to gigantic.
Most varieties of pink rhododendron bloom profusely, so that during this period leaves and branches are practically invisible. Flowering can be improved with proper pruning.
The growth of the bush is slow, but it remains compact. Young shoots branch heavily, so they need to be thinned out, this also contributes to abundant flowering.
Varieties of pink rhododendron
Pink rhododendron, as a cultivated plant, is relatively young, appeared in gardens at the beginning of the 20th century and was called Kurum azalea. Since its homeland is in countries with a warm climate, the plant did not take root in Europe due to frost and winds.
Breeders did not want to lose such a lush plant and created new varieties of hybrid pink rhododendron. They were given frost resistance, so the crop grows well in Russian gardens.
Here are some varieties of pink rhododendron with photos.
Pink lights. Bushes with a dense crown, height - up to 1.4-1.5 m, leaves are leathery, shiny. A low-growing clonying shrub with bright, rich pink flowers, the diameter of which is from 3.5 to 4 cm. The flowers themselves are medium in size - 3.5-4 cm in length. The upper petal is decorated with dark burgundy specks. Pink rhododendron is frost-resistant and does not freeze at temperatures of -30-35 degrees.
Elegant. The variety is attractive with large clusters of pink inflorescences, each of which has up to 20 double buds. It features curly petals of a lilac-lavender hue. During flowering, bees buzz above the bushes, attracted by the aroma. The shrub is slow growing; an adult plant can be no higher than 2 m.
Rhododendron pink Micrantum. The word is translated as “small-flowered.” The variety is suitable for growing in pots. The leaves are small, leathery, shiny. The crown grows well and is easy to form into a hemisphere. Flowering is abundant, pink buds are up to 3 cm in diameter.
Elsie Lee. Rhododendron of this variety is distinguished by a spreading, loose crown with light green, medium-length leaves. The height and width of the bush is about 80 cm. The plant pleases the eye with large terry buds of a purple hue. The petals are 8-9 cm long and have pink dots. Feels better in a secluded place protected from the wind. Rhododendron Elsie Lee pink is frost-resistant.
Rhododendron Syntillation. This variety is considered the best in Charles Dexter's collection. It grows very slowly. The crown of an evergreen and compact shrub grows in height and width up to 1.5 m. Rhododendron hybrid Syntillation has pink, delicate, large, spherical flowers. Inflorescences are purple-pink. Grows well in well-drained acidic soils. In severe winter conditions it is necessary to cover.
Rhododendron Natalia pink. A variety with large matte leaves, compact. Plant height – up to 1 m. Recommended as a potted plant. The flowers are pale pink.
Rhododendron English pink. The plant is best planted in partial shade. Blooms with pink-purple buds. One petal has bright specks.The variety is frost-resistant, can withstand temperatures down to -32 degrees.
Rhododendron pink Elegant. Tall bushes (up to 3 m) attract with their spreading nature. The shape of the crown is spherical, up to 3.5 m in diameter. The leaves are medium sized, dark green. Flowering begins in May, the inflorescences are soft pink, the petals are wavy at the edges. Each inflorescence has up to 20 buds. According to the description, pink rhododendron Elegant is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate drought well.
Rhododendron pink Christian Pink. The shrub grows slowly, at 10 years - no higher than 60 cm. That is why it can be grown in pots. On the dark green lanceolate leaves, silvery hair is clearly visible on top. Flowering is abundant, long-lasting, and begins in May. The buds are brown-red or purple, collected in inflorescences, shaped like bells.
Planting and caring for pink rhododendron
Rhododendrons are finicky plants; they are demanding of soil. To grow a profusely flowering plant, you need to understand the rules of agricultural technology. You can plant seedlings in spring or early autumn so that the bushes have time to take root. Further care for pink rhododendrons comes down to traditional measures.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
For planting, choose places where there is enough light. But there should be trees nearby that will provide shade in a timely manner and cover the bushes from the rays of the scorching sun. It should also be understood that pink rhododendron should not be planted in dense shade, as it will not bloom.
Plants cannot tolerate drafts. As for the soil, it is better if it is acidic.For neutral soils, remove the top layer by 50 cm and instead add a mixture of peat, sand and soil from under coniferous trees.
Seedling preparation
For planting, you need to choose healthy seedlings. They can be identified by flexible branches. Plants should be free of signs of diseases and pests. Before planting, rhododendrons are soaked in water with a rooting agent so that the roots are saturated with moisture. Plants in containers are filled with water.
Rules for planting pink rhododendron
Garden rhododendrons have a shallow root system and do not require a deep hole.
Planting stages:
- The planting hole should be 50 cm deep and no more than 70 cm in diameter. The bottom is filled with drainage to a height of 15-20 cm with broken brick, sand or expanded clay.
- Sand, peat, humus are added to the soil from the pit and mixed thoroughly. Then the hole is filled one third full.
- A mound is made in the center and a seedling with an open system is planted. If this is a container plant, then the rhododendron is installed together with a lump of earth.
- Sprinkle the plants so that the root collar remains above the surface.
- The soil is thoroughly compacted to expel air bubbles and watered.
- To retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing, mulch is poured into the tree trunk circle: pine needles, moss, peat or crushed bark.
Watering and fertilizing
Pink rhododendron is demanding when it comes to watering. The top layer of soil should always be moist. If the soil is not too acidic, you can add citric acid to the water (1 teaspoon of substance per 2 liters of liquid).
In early autumn, you need to water less often so that new shoots do not start to grow, and before the onset of frost, water-recharging watering should be carried out. In hot weather, the bushes are sprayed, but not during flowering!
Weeds must be removed, but loosening the tree trunk circle is not recommended, since the roots are located close to the surface.
Feed the bushes:
- In early spring, apply humus solution.
- Before flowering, plants require nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers (equal parts).
- Potassium and phosphorus fertilizers (1:2) are fed at the end of flowering.
Trimming
Spring is the time for sanitary pruning. The next time you pick up the pruning shears is after flowering, 2-3 weeks later. This is the time for a shaping haircut. Remove flower stalks and excess branches, shorten shoots by a third.
Preparing for winter
Before wintering, the root system of the white-pink azalea is covered with a thick layer of mulch. In harsh climatic conditions, the bushes are tied loosely with twine. Low plants are covered with spruce branches, tall ones are wrapped in burlap.
Reproduction
For reproduction you can use any of 3 methods:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
All of them are convenient, even a novice gardener can handle them.
Diseases and pests
Rhododendrons, unlike other cultivated plants, rarely get sick and are affected by pests.
Diseases and pests | Measures |
Late blight | Spray with Fitoverm |
Necrosis | Protect bushes from drafts |
Leaf chlorosis | If the water is hard, add citric acid when watering, water the flowers with iron chelate |
Rhododendron bugs | Treat the bushes with Diazinon solution |
Spider mite | Washing the foliage with a soapy solution, spraying with Actellik |
Azalea moth | Treatment of plants with sulfur |
Mealybugs | Spray the plantings with insecticides |
Conclusion
Pink rhododendron is an excellent option for garden decoration. Despite the fact that the plant is fastidious, the end result cannot but please: lush flowering shrubs with bright flowers will appear on the site.
