Rhododendron, planting and care in the southern regions

Rod Rhododendron (Rhododendron) belongs to the family of Heather (Ericaceae). This genus includes a large number of various shrubs and trees, deciduous and evergreen. Azalea belongs to the same genus (although sometimes it is isolated in a separate subgenus). There are rhododendrons in North America and the Himalayas, Japan and Australia ... in different climatic conditions, from the Subtropical to Siberia, they grow in the southern hemisphere. In Russia, in Siberia, the Far East and the Caucasus, 18 species grow wild. This plant in nature grows in the foothills (in the Alpine zone), in the forest (even in the tundra), it can grow in swamps. For the south, the Rhododendron of the Caucasus, and especially the Pontic and Yellow Rhododendron (the planting and care for these two species are practically the same) are more appropriate.

The name "rhododendron" comes from the fusion of the Greek words "rose" - "Rhodon" and the tree - "Dendron". This name describes well the abundant flowering of many rhododendrons. Often, the rhododendron is called "Alpine Rose". In fact, in the south it is not at all difficult to grow a rhododendron, caring for it is much easier than for a real rose. It can be said that in the conditions of the south this plant is unpretentious.

Caucasian rhododendron, planting and care

Caucasian rhododendron is a low shrub (up to one and a half meters high) with white or cream flowers (in Armenia and Turkey there is a form with pale pink flowers), evergreen, growing in the mountains and foothills (in the subalpine zone). In cultural plantings, we must try to provide the plant with conditions close to natural. It is advisable to plant this rhododendron near large trees (only those whose roots go into the deep layers of the soil, near the rhododendron the surface root system, in which case there will be no competition between them), but at such a distance that most of the day it is illuminated The sun. Caucasian rhododendron is perfect for rock garden. This kind of rhododendron needs protection from the wind. All rhododendrons (and azaleas) prefer fertile, forest soil with an acid reaction, the loamy soil in a mixture with leaf humus is best suited. Pay attention, rhododendrons do not tolerate soil, which has an alkaline reaction, so they can not be applied fertilizers "deoxidizing" soil (eg ash). Not desirable for them and sour soils, so you need to organize drainage or plant rhododendron on the elevation (bulk mound, bed). Rhododendron, thanks to a compact root system, quite easily tolerates transplantation.

Pontic rhododendron, planting and care

Rhododendron Pontine, as the name implies, grows on the coast of the Black Sea and in the foothills of the Caucasus. An evergreen shrub or tree with a height of 3-6 meters, flowers similar to bells are collected in an inflorescence of siren-pink color. In the wild form forms whole thickets. Better grows in the sun, but can grow and partial shade, requirements to the soil, like all rhododendrons.

Yellow rhododendron, planting and care

Rhododendron Yellow or azalea Pontine - grows in the same area as the previous species. This deciduous shrub is up to 2 meters high, blooms in May - June. The flowers are bright yellow, collected in the inflorescence and very fragrant (used in perfumery, but some people can cause a headache, so it is better not to put bouquets into the house), blooming abundantly. Shrubs are very proliferating. Loves the sun, can grow on marshy soils.

Pontic and Yellow rhododendrons are poisonous, but, at the same time, they are used in medicine.

How to care for a rhododendron? Care is the same for all described species: frequent (but not abundant) watering and spraying, obligatory mulching with leaf or coniferous litter (you can cut and dried grass) and fertilizing with complex fertilizer.