Azalea pink: description and photo, planting and care

Rhododendron pink will not leave indifferent any person. After all, the plant has not only delicate and exquisite flowers, but also an unforgettable aroma. This azalea is represented by various varieties. Rhododendron pink can be grown as a tree or shrub.

Description of pink rhododendron

Azalea pink is a representative of the genus of rhododendrons from the Vereskov family. This is a beautiful, luxuriantly flowering shrub with a large number of branches with small leaves. In its natural environment, pink-flowered rhododendron bushes 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 a shrub 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.

Flowering is plentiful, buds of various shades of pink bloom on plants (depending on the variety):

• rhododendron white-pink;
• rhododendron dark pink;
• pastel;
• mixes are pink and white.

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 is flat, tubular or funnel-shaped, like a bell. The size of the inflorescences – from small to giant.

Most varieties of pink rhododendron bloom profusely, so that during this period the leaves and branches are almost invisible. Flowering can be improved with proper pruning.

The growth of the bush is slow, but it remains compact. Young shoots branch strongly, so they need to be thinned out, this also contributes to abundant flowering.

Varieties of pink rhododendron

Rhododendron pink, as a cultivated plant, is relatively young, appeared in gardens at the beginning of the 20th century and was called the Kurum azalea. Since its homeland is states 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 culture grows well in the gardens of s.

Here are some varieties of pink rhododendron with a photo.

Pink lights. Bushes with a dense crown, up to 1,4-1,5 m high, leathery, shiny leaves. A low-growing, clonal 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. On the top petal there is an ornament in the form of maroon specks. Rhododendron pink frost-resistant, does not freeze at a temperature of -30-35 degrees.

Elegant. The variety attracts with large brushes of pink inflorescences, each of which has up to 20 double buds. Differs in figured petals of a lilac-lavender shade. During flowering, bees buzz over the bushes, attracted by the aroma. Shrub slowly growing, an adult plant can be no higher than 2 m.

Rhododendron pink Mikrantum. The word is translated as “small-flowered”. The variety is suitable for growing in a pot culture. The leaves are small, leathery, shiny. The crown grows well, it is easy to form it in the form of a hemisphere. Flowering is abundant, pink buds in diameter – up to 3 cm.

Elsie Lee. Rhododendron of this variety is distinguished by a sprawling loose crown with light green leaves of medium length. The height and width of the bush is about 80 cm. The plant pleases the eye with large purple terry buds. On petals 8-9 cm long there are pink dots. Feels better in a secluded place protected from the wind. Elsie’s rhododendron is pink hardy.

Rhododendron Syntillation. This variety is considered the best in the collection of Charles Dexter. Grows very slowly. The crown of an evergreen and compact shrub grows to a height and width of 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. Variety with large matte leaves, compact. Plant height – up to 1 m. Recommended as a pot culture. Flowers pale pink.

Rhododendron English pink. The plant is best planted in partial shade. It blooms with pink-purple buds. On one petal there are bright specks. The variety is frost-resistant, withstands temperatures up to -32 degrees.

Rhododendron pink Elegant. High bushes (up to 3 m) attracts with its spreading. The shape of the crown is spherical, up to 3,5 m in diameter. The leaves are medium in size, dark green. Flowering begins in May, the inflorescences are pale pink, the petals are wavy along the edges. In each inflorescence – up to 20 buds. According to the description, the elegant pink rhododendron is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate drought well.

Rhododendron pink Christian Pink. The shrub grows slowly, at 10 years old – no higher than 60 cm. That is why it can be grown in pots. On dark green lanceolate leaves, a silver pile is clearly visible from above. Flowering is plentiful, long, 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 on the 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 events.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

For landing, choose places where there is enough light. But there should be trees nearby that will give shade in a timely manner and cover the bushes from the rays of the scorching sun. It should also be understood that pink rhododendron is not planted in dense shade, as it will not please with flowering.

Plants do not tolerate drafts. As for the soil, it is better if it is acidic. With neutral soils, the top layer is removed by 50 cm and a mixture of peat, sand and earth from under coniferous trees is added instead.

Seedling preparation

For planting, you need to choose healthy seedlings. They can be identified by flexible branches. Plants should be free from disease 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.

Landing steps:

1. The landing pit should be 50 cm deep, 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.
2. Sand, peat, humus are added to the soil from the pit and mixed thoroughly. Then they fill up the hole by a third.
3. 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 along with a clod of earth.
4. Sprinkle the plants so that the root neck remains above the surface.
5. The soil is carefully tamped to expel air bubbles and watered.
6. To retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing, mulch is poured into the trunk circle: needles, moss, peat or crushed bark.

Watering and top dressing

Pink rhododendron is demanding on watering. The topsoil should always be moist. If the soil is not too acidic, citric acid can be added to the water (for 2 liters of liquid, 1 tsp of the substance).

Early in the autumn, it is necessary to water less often so that new shoots do not begin to grow, and before the onset of frost, carry out moisture-charging watering. In hot weather, the bushes are sprayed, but not during flowering!

Weeds must be removed, but it is not recommended to loosen the near-stem circle, since the roots are located close to the surface.

Feed the bushes:

1. Early in the spring with a solution of humus.
2. Before flowering, plants require nitrogen, potash and phosphorus fertilizers (equally).
3. Potash and phosphorus fertilizers (1: 2) are fed at the end of flowering.

Trimming

Spring is the time for sanitary pruning. The next time the secateurs are picked up after flowering in 2-3 weeks. It’s shaping haircut time. Remove flower stalks, extra branches, shorten shoots by a third.

Preparation 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 loosely pulled together with twine. Low plants are covered with spruce branches, high ones are wrapped with burlap.

Reproduction

For reproduction, you can use any of 3 methods:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• division of 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.

Conclusion

Pink rhododendron is a great option for decorating the garden. Despite the fact that the plant is finicky, the end result cannot but rejoice: lush flowering shrubs with bright colors will appear on the site.