Content
Rhododendron is a representative of the Heather family, divided into species, which include several varieties and hybrids, differing in the color of the inflorescences and the height of the bush. Rhododendron Roseum Elegans was bred in England and included in the Katevba group, the originator of the variety is Anthony Waterer. Culture was created for use in landscape design.
Description of the hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegance
The decorative evergreen shrub Rhododendron Roseum elegans grows in Japan, the Northern Hemisphere. In Ukraine it is known as Chervona rue. Rhododendron is found in the tundra, mountainous regions, and grows in groups near wetlands. Rhododendron Roseum Elegance (pictured) is a spreading shrub that grows up to 3 m in height, with a crown volume of 3.5 m. It has a decorative appearance throughout the year.
During the formation of the young crown, the color of rhododendron leaves is dark red, changing to green as it grows. The growing season of rhododendron is slow, the annual growth is up to 15 cm. The main increase is observed in the first 5 years, then the growth decreases, reaching the end point at 7 years. At this age, the plant is considered mature. Outwardly, it is similar to rhododendron Roseum Pontius, but these are different types of crops, differing in the shape of the bush and the color of the inflorescences.
External characteristics of rhododendron Roseum Elegance:
- The bush is branched, widely spreading, rounded in shape, closed at the bottom. The branches are of medium thickness, light green, smooth. Young shoots are a shade lighter than the skeletal branches.
- The root system of the large plant is fibrous, located close to the soil surface, the root circle is wide.
- The leathery leaves are opposite, in the form of an elongated narrow oval, the surface is glossy. Young leaves are dark red, after full formation they acquire a rich green color. Plate length – 9-10 cm, width – 7 cm.
- The flowers have the appearance of a wide funnel, bright pink with dark splashes at the base, diameter - 8 cm, slightly wavy edges, pink-violet stamens. Collected in dense round inflorescences of 20 pieces.
- The fruit is a capsule with small black seeds.
Roseum Elegance blooms in June and lasts about 20 days. Flowering is intense, the bush is completely covered with flowers. Rhododendron is used in design as a single plant and as a hedge. Create a composition with coniferous ornamental trees and shrubs.
Rhododendron Roseum Elegans does not tolerate open areas well; the culture is not drought-resistant, so burns on the inflorescences and leaves are possible with excess ultraviolet radiation. If the plant is planted in an area without shade, constant watering and sprinkling is necessary.
Winter hardiness of rhododendron Roseum Elegance
The variety Roseum Elegance is the most frost-resistant representative of the crop. Without additional shelter, winters at -32 0C. Resists temperature changes well. During spring thaws, sap flows and a sharp drop in temperature begins, for example, to -8 0C causes the sap to freeze; this process is not terrible for rhododendron. After defrosting, the increased volume of juice does not tear the bark, so the wood structure is not destroyed. The plant is not damaged, the growing season continues as usual.
According to the description of rhododendron, Roseum Elegance belongs to frost resistance zone 3.4. The crop is grown in Eastern Siberia and the Urals (zone No. 3). The plant feels comfortable in Central Russia, the Moscow region, and St. Petersburg (zone No. 4). Suitable for designing plots in central Russia.
Conditions for growing rhododendron Roseum Elegans
Despite the fact that rhododendron Roseum Elegans is a crop with low drought resistance, the shrub does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. For planting, choose loose, light, fertile soils with satisfactory drainage.
In their natural environment, Heathers grow in wetlands, but hybrids do not respond well to close groundwater. An acidic soil composition is suitable for rhododendron. The plant feels comfortable under the canopy of coniferous trees.An open sunny area is not suitable for the plant, so the south side is not considered for planting.
The plant is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate exposure to north winds. According to reviews from gardeners, the best option for the hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegance would be the north side behind the wall of the building. This planting will eliminate drafts and direct sunlight. To maintain the necessary moisture, the root circle is mulched every spring. To preserve the decorative appearance of the bush, the inflorescences are removed after flowering.
Planting and caring for rhododendron Roseum Elegance
Hybrid Roseum Elegance tolerates transplantation well and takes root quickly. Due to its frost resistance, rhododendron varieties are grown in regions with cold winters, so planting work is carried out only in the spring. The standard agricultural technology for the crop consists of watering, timely fertilizing and preparing the plant for winter.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The shrub is planted in partial shade on the north side; rhododendron feels comfortable near bodies of water, but on the condition that the soil is not waterlogged. A week before planting, prepare the site:
- Dig up and remove weed roots.
- Prepare wide but shallow planting holes; if planting is done in a line, the interval between holes is 2 m.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom, and acidic peat mixed with oak leaves is placed on top.
Seedling preparation
Before placing it in a permanent place, the remaining soil is completely removed from the root system of the rhododendron planting material. Place the seedling in a 5% manganese solution, then in a growth stimulator.Before planting, check the condition of the root and, if necessary, remove damaged areas. If the planting material is grown independently, it is planted at the age of one year; two-year-old seedlings are purchased from the nursery.
Rules for planting rhododendron Roseum Elegance
A concentrated clay solution is first prepared, and the root is dipped into it immediately before planting. Algorithm of actions:
- A stake is driven into the center of the hole to secure the seedling.
- Carefully distribute the roots along the bottom of the recess.
- Cover the top with a mixture of sand and peat and compact the soil.
- Fix the seedling to the support and water it.
After planting, mulch the root circle with needles or last year’s leaves. Compost is not recommended.
Watering and fertilizing
The first feeding is given to the shrub in the spring before flowering. Use special fertilizers for rhododendrons. After flowering, phosphorus fertilizers are applied. Organics are used to a minimum. Watering is oriented towards seasonal precipitation; two waterings per week are sufficient for the plant. In dry weather, sprinkling is carried out at night. If air humidity is low, the tops of the leaves dry out, sprinkling is carried out every day.
Trimming
Radical pruning of rhododendron Roseum Elegance is carried out in early August. It is used to form the crown and is a protection against damage to young branches by the mass of snow. Annual shoots are cut to 1/3 of the main length. Remove faded inflorescences. In early spring, dry fragments are removed and the bushes are sanitized.
Preparing for winter
Hybrid Roseum Elegans is a frost-resistant plant. Before wintering, adult shrubs are given water-recharging watering and the root circle is mulched with a layer of mulch (15 cm). For young seedlings, shelter for the winter is important:
- The branches are carefully attached to the main trunk and fixed.
- The top is wrapped with any material that does not allow moisture to pass through.
- Mulching.
- Cover with spruce branches.
If the seedling is not tall, after mulching, install arcs, stretch the film, cover the top with leaves or coniferous branches, and cover the structure with snow in winter.
Reproduction
Hybrid rhododendron Roseum Elegans reproduces vegetatively and generatively. Propagation by seeds is rarely used. The growing season until the first flowering is too long. The advantage of this method is the large amount of planting material. To obtain seedlings, seeds are sown in a container with a nutrient substrate and covered with film on top. After germination, the young shoots are taken into separate containers and left in a shaded place.
A rhododendron grown from seeds will not bloom until it is six years old. The most effective and fastest method is vegetative. Cuttings are carried out in June according to the following scheme:
- Cut material from the tops of two-year-old shoots to a length of 10 cm.
- The cut is made obliquely, the lower leaves are removed, and the cuttings are placed in a growth stimulator for 2 hours.
- Planted in a mini-greenhouse, maintaining constant air and soil humidity.
- By autumn, the rhododendron should take root; it is transplanted into a container and brought into a room with a temperature no higher than +5 for the winter. 0C.
In the spring they are placed in a permanent place. Rhododendron Roseum Elegans tolerates transplantation well and quickly takes root in a new area. The crop can be propagated using layering. To obtain planting material, bend the lower branch, fix it to the soil surface, and cover it with earth.Work is carried out in the spring before sap flow. The cuttings are watered throughout the season. Next spring the material is ready for division and replanting.
Diseases and pests
Roseum elegans rarely gets sick and is damaged by pests. The appearance of a fungal infection can cause moisture to accumulate in the soil. With high humidity and a sharp drop in temperature, chlorosis or leaf spotting develops, in which case treatment with Bordeaux mixture is necessary. If there is a deficiency of nutrients, the leaves curl and the plant needs to be fed.
Among the garden pests, the rhododendron bug parasitizes the shrub; it is eliminated with Diazonin. The mealybug feeds on the sap of the leaves, covering them with a dense white coating. Karbofos is used in pest control. Spider mites are less common; the bush is treated with Agrovertin.
Conclusion
Rhododendron Roseum Elegance belongs to the Katevba variety. This is a tall spreading shrub with a decorative appearance. During the flowering period, the crown is completely covered with spherical bright pink inflorescences. The culture is frost-resistant, evergreen, and is widely used for landscape design in regions with temperate climates.
