© Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The rhododendron thrives beautifully in climates that receive a higher amount of rainfall, and the plant does equally well during the moist summers. Site: Plant the rhododendron out of the wind and in dappled shade, preferably from a high cover of limbs that will give filtered shade all day. Hana has written home advice articles, gardening articles, and real estate articles for websites like Apartment Therapy, Lab Coat Agents, and Next Stop Magazine. If the plant does not receive its fair share of nutrients, it is definitely not going to be able to sustain the blooms, and the health of the plant is going to deteriorate quickly. They also have a variety of different cultivar names as well. Apply a thick layer of mulch to keep roots cool, avoiding the crown. Thankfully, there are several ways to prolong your rhododendrons’ bloom. Rhododendrons are perennial shrubs, meaning that they are evergreen. Aside from their beauty, rhododendrons and azaleas are generally easy to manage as they require an average amount of watering, which usually comes naturally in the springtime in certain climates. You can keep your rhododendrons healthy and looking the way you want them to by pruning in your style and at the right time of year. My name is Lisa, and I’m on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. Part 1 But, if you’re not sure, check with nurseries or local university extension programs for specific suggestions. Late Spring. Catawba rhododendron blooms at high elevation during the month of June. You will want to make sure that you provide a high-quality liquid fertilizer and add it after every few weeks to the plant. The Rosebay Rhododendrons are the most common rhododendrons in the Smokies. To learn more, visit her website at www.hanalarockwriting.com. The best thing about these blooms is that they can actually last quite long. Rhododendrons don’t like lots of sun and tend to be in the shady areas of … Many rhododendrons bloom when the snow is still melting, and the temperatures tend to fall relatively low during the nighttime. The foliage of elliptic, flat, deep green leaves warms up to reddish-bronze in fall. Before you start working out how long a bloom is going to last, you need to first figure out what kind of rhododendron you have. To avoid that, make sure you add a bit of peat moss or vermiculite into the mix as well. Dozens of different rhododendron species spread in the mountain forests of the Himalayas up to an altitude of 4.000m and transform these in spring with their petals - from bright white to purple red - into a wonderful blaze of color! Ultimately, what this means is that the flowering period is susceptible to change from one year to another. There are certain varieties of rhododendrons that begin to bloom in the late winter months, and some that tend to bloom once spring starts to approach. However, because there are so many different types of rhododendrons and azaleas, there are actually a whole array of colors you can see, including pinks, blues, periwinkles, oranges, whites and yellows. It gets about 5’ tall and 6’ wide if not pruned. Our earliest-blooming rhododendron, typically in early January. Making sure that the rhododendron blooms heavily, year after year, is a top priority. Plant Size: 6-9 inch The length of the blooming period also plays an important role, especially if you have several varieties of the rhododendron planted in your garden. Adding a bit of shade is going to keep them in bloom for a longer period of time as well. You will have to make sure that you provide some frost protection, and when you do that, you will notice that the bloom period will be slightly extended. Always watch the amount of nitrogen you’re giving your plant if it seems to be growing lots of new leaves without producing any flowers – it’s a sure sign you need to back off the feeding. We have also listed the different locations within The Gardens that you are most likely to see the plant blooming. In the Upper Midwest, azalea refers to the deciduous members of the genus Rhododendron and rhododendron refers to those that hold their leaves through the winter. Secondly, you should know that the rhododendron prefers quick draining soil. Rhododendron blooms can last anywhere from two to seven months. The plant can generally be found virtually all over the continent of America, and is also popular in many parts of Europe as well as Asia. It has showy red flowers held in compact clusters, and beautiful bronzy bark. Pictures were taken every two minutes from 5/12/18 to 5/23/18 to make a true time lapse. Other details: Unknown - Tell us. Moderate growing; reaches 3 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide. can be found all around North America, where the environment is not too hot or too cold. The good thing about that, however, is it's potential to parent great offsprings, hopefully imparting it's fragrance (the most fragrant azalea) and it's compact growth in your own garden. It’s a gorgeous sight that you will thoroughly enjoy, and if you have various kinds of rhododendrons in your garden, the blooms are going to continue all the way up until the first few weeks of summer. To be sure you have one true to type, purchase a shrub in bloom. These often-broadleaf evergreen plants boast large clusters of showy blooms at their growing tips in spring. Typically, a rhododendron is a bush or a shrub. The rosebay’s are one of the parks most common woody plants. Rhododendron Shrub This family of plants contains an option for every landscape, from the giant rhododendrons of East Asian mountainsides to the rosebay rhododendrons native to Eastern U.S. woodlands. Depending on where you live, you might be treated to a gorgeous bloom full of purple, pink, and other colorful flowers in the parks and the neighborhood. Mileposts 29, 85.8, 136-138, 272-275, 311.2 How Frequently to Water an Autumn Sundance Azalea Bush Hedge in Fall, Best Variety of Fruit Trees to Attract Bees, The Old Farmer's Almanac: Growing Rhododendrons, Gardenia: Extend the Blooming Seasons of Your Azaleas and Rhododendrons, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Rhododendron Classification. They can grow close to the ground as a small plant, or they can grow tall, resembling more of a tree than a bush. But first, it’s important to focus on the different kinds of rhododendrons. Even though rhododendrons already have a decently long blooming season – unlike, for instance, cherry blossoms, that have an extremely short blooming time – you may want to keep these plants flowering for as long as you can. Patent Information: Non-patented. There are certain types of rhododendrons that are able to survive in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees F. There are only a few other flowering plants that are able to survive in temperatures this low, and come out and bloom the next year as the seasons begin to change. What's In Bloom . Rhododendron flowers come in a range of colors to fit any garden design scheme. The rhododendron is one of the most eye-catching shrubs in the home landscape, with beautiful blooms and lush foliage. They are great for landscaping and produce beautiful flowers in the spring and summer. If yours doesn’t, there is nothing to worry about. The late flowering time is an asset for the garden. Average Size at Maturity. Another important thing that you need to figure out is the length of the blooming period. If you plan accordingly, you could enjoy these blooms for almost half a year or more! Rhododendron spp. More importantly, you need to understand that the climate conditions can also impact the length of time that the flower blooms for. I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. Clip off spent flower clusters immediately after bloom as practicable. Bloom Color: White/Near White. That’s much longer than any other kind of flower out there, and it’s a great way to keep your garden in beautiful condition. If yours doesn’t, there is nothing to worry about. Rhododendrons and azaleas are also resistant to rabbits, who tend to eat many plants when they come out of hibernation in the spring. Flowering shrubs put on a colorful show in the park in spring and summer. The rhododendron is one of the most beautiful and commonly grown plants in the world. American Rhododendron Society P.O. 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