Ramapo - Lavender blooms appear mid
season. Low
growing.
Hardy to -25 (-31.6C); Height:2ft
| HOME --> All Plants and Seeds INDEX --> Flowers INDEX --> Rhododendron | |
| Plant and Seed Mobile Friendly Index |
Rhododendrons comprise a huge group of evergreen and deciduous shrubs belonging to the Heath family (Ericaceae) and are valued for their foliage and beautiul blooms. Variable in habit, they are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from prostrate shrubs to small trees and in an astounding array of colors. Native varieties can be found in the southern and Pacific northwest US, Europe and Asia. Azaleas are considered a type of rhododendron, but we have given them their own page of the catalog.
Rhododendrons prefer partial or dappled shade in an area that is
sheltered
from harsh winter winds and a rich soil high in humus. Preferable
pH is 5.5. Rhododendrons have very shallow root systems, so take care
when
cultivating around them not to damage the roots. It is a good
idea
to either pull weeds, or heavily mulch the base of the plant to prevent
weed growth. The roots are rather slow growing, so new plants
will
survive for the first season mainly from the original root
system.
Make certain that this does not dry out during the first year by
watering
with a drip hose once a week, perhaps more often if you are
experiencing
a dry summer. If the summer is very dry, you may see some foliage
droop. If this happens during the early morning hours, before the
heat of the day, you should give them additional water. Your
rhododendrons
will appreciate a misting in temperatures above 95F or on particularly
dry windy days.
DWARF VARIETIES
Golden Jubilee - Yellow blooms on a low growing shrub;
Hardy to -20F
(-28.8C); height: 2ft.
| #P3139 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Minnetonka - Mid season blooming;
Lavender-blue flowers
on a low growing shrub; Hardy to 25F (-31.6C); height:3ft.
| #P3143 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Ramapo - Lavender blooms appear mid
season. Low
growing.
Hardy to -25 (-31.6C); Height:2ft
| #P3140 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Small Wonder - Early blooming with bright red
blooms. Low
growing
- makes a good low border or hedge. Hardy to -15F (-26.1C);
Height:
2ft.
| #P3133 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
MEDIUM VARIETIES
Cunningham White - Pink buds open to reveal snow
white
blooms with
pale yellow centers. Flowers
early. Dark green
leaves.
Compact growing srub with a rounded habit. Excellent for
borders.
Grows very well in slightly alkaline soil Hardy to -20F
(-28.8C);
height: 4ft.
| #3128 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
| #P3128 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Dolly Madison - Large white blooms appear early in the
season.
Hardy to -20F (-28.8C); height: 5ft.
| #P3137 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Goldsworth - Peachy-orange blooms with yellow throats
appear late in
the
season. Hardy to -5F (-20.5C); height: 5ft.
| #P3140 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Merley Cream - Mid-season bloomer with soft creamy
yellow blooms.
Hardy to -20F (-28.8C); height: 5ft.
| #P3142 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Nova Zembla - Red blooms appear in mid season.
Hardy to -25F
(-31.6C);
height: 5ft.
| #P3132 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
President Lincoln - Pink blooms tinged with purple on
a mid season
blooming
shrub. Hardy to -25F (-31.6C); height: 6ft.
| #P3146 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Olga Mezitt - Clear pink blooms appear early. Leaves
are dark green,
turning dark mahogany in winter. Spreading type makes a medium sized
shrub.
Good foundation, border plant. Hardy to -30F (-34.4C); height:
5ft.
| #P3129 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
PJM - One of the hardiest rhododendrons
available, this pretty compact
growing shrub has lavender-pink blooms early in the season. Small
glossy leaves turn mahogany in winter. Does well in sun, shade
and
in drought conditions. Hardy to -30F (-34.4C); height: 5ft.
| #P3130 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Wyandanch - Mid season blooming shrub
with pink blooms.
Hardy
to -15F (-26.1C); Height: 6ft.
| #P3149 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
TALL VARIETIES (heights given for 10yr. growth)
English Roseum - Medium season bloomer with pink
flowers. Hardy
to -25F (-31.6C); height: 6ft.
| #P3138 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Parson's Gloriosum - Lavender blooms appear mid
season. Hardy
to -20F (-28.8C); height: 6ft.
| #P3144 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
Roseum Elegans - Pink blooms appear mid season.
Hardy to -25F
(-31.6C); height: 6ft.
| #P3148 Plant 2in pot $15.00 |
|
RHODODENDRONS FROM SEED (Listed by Botanical name)
These seeds are offered for those who wish to experiment. You
may experience some variation from the descriptions.
R. catawbiense - Rosy
pink blooms
appear in mid season.
Hardy to -20F (-28/8C); height: 6ft.
| #3836 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
R. fortunei - Mid season blooming with pink to white blooms.
Hardy to -10F (-23.3C); height: 6ft.
| #3856 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
R. macrophyllum or R. californicum - Pacific
Rhododendron - Western US
native. Buds are a deep carmine red and open to rosy purple or pink
flowers
spotted with yellow or brownish markings. Height: 10ft.
| #963 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
R. maximum - Great Laurel (Rose Bay)
Hardiest
of the evergreen species, this late season bloomer
produces true white, rather small flowers. Height: 5ft. Hardy to -20F
(-28.8C)
| #2268 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
R. mucronulatum - Korean Rhododendron Pink
or purple blooms on a very early bloomer. Height: 5ft. Hardy to -20F
(-28.8C)
| #2270 Packet $20.50 Approximately 50 seeds |
|
|
Tree seeds and seeds of some other plant types are particular in the way they break dormancy. Most are dried to below 10% moisture for storing, but seed at 10% will rarely germinate, therefore the seeds require a "stratification period" to force the seed into growth. There are two types of stratification: cold (best done at 34-41 degrees F) and warm (best at 68-86 degress F). Some seeds require one or the other - some require both. When both are required, warm stratification is performed first. Some seeds are very fine and should be sown "under glass", (as detailed in Rich Farm Garden TIP:SOWING UNDER GLASS). Natural stratification is achieved by planting the seed in a prepared bed outdoors in late fall, where rain, snow and freezing temperatures will allow the seed to germinate. Artificial stratification is done for convenience. We have discovered the following methods of artificial stratification work best: (see NEXT TIPS: WARM STRATIFICATION, COLD STRATIFICATION) |
ORDER EARLY!
See TERMS
Back to VARIETY INDEX Terms
HOME
If
you have arrived in someone else's frame, or can not see all of the
other
information available on richfarmgarden.com Click on logo to enter from
beginning