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Rhododendron is a shrub that is grown throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is valued for its decorative properties and abundant flowering. In the middle lane, the plant is only gaining popularity. The main problem in growing rhododendrons is cold winters. Therefore, hybrids are chosen for planting that can withstand even harsh winters. The following are frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons with photos and descriptions.
Evergreen frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons
Evergreen rhododendrons do not fall leaves in autumn. They dehydrate and roll up even in frost-resistant varieties. The stronger the frost, the more pronounced this effect. When spring comes, the leaves unfurl. For the winter, even frost-resistant rhododendrons are covered with non-woven fabric.
Alfred
A frost-resistant hybrid was obtained in 1900 by the German scientist T. Seidel. Plant height up to 1,2 m, crown diameter – 1,5 m. The plant bush is quite compact, with brown bark and elongated leaves. Flowering variety Alfred begins in June. The flowers are purple, with a yellowish spot, up to 6 cm in size. They grow in inflorescences of 15 pieces.
Rhododendron variety Alfred blooms annually and abundantly. The buds open within 20 days. Every year, the shrub gives an increase of 5 cm. The plant is photophilous and frost-resistant, tolerates light partial shade. The variety prefers slightly acidic soil rich in humus. The hybrid is propagated by cuttings or layering. Seeds have low germination – less than 10%.
Grandiflorum
The frost-resistant rhododendron Grandiflorum was eaten out in England at the beginning of the 2th century. The shrub grows up to 1,5 m in height. The crown of rhododendron reaches 2 – 8 m in girth. Its shoots are dark gray, the leaves are elliptical, leathery, 6 cm long. The crown of the culture is sprawling. The flowers are purple in color, 7-15 cm in size. They are odorless and bloom in compact inflorescences of XNUMX pieces. Flowering takes place in early June.
Rhododendron variety Grandiflora blooms in June. Due to large inflorescences, the hybrid is also called large-flowered. The shrub has a decorative appearance during the flowering period. The Grandiflora variety grows rapidly, its size increases by 10 cm per year. The plant prefers sunny places, but it is able to develop in the shade. The hybrid is frost-resistant, tolerates winter frosts down to -32 ° С.
Winter-hardy rhododendron Grandiflora in the photo:
Helsinki University
Rhododendron Helsinki University is a frost-resistant hybrid bred in Finland. The plant reaches a height of up to 1,7 m, its crown diameter is up to 1,5 m. It develops well in partial shade from buildings and larger trees. Its leaves are dark green, with a shiny surface, elliptical in shape, 15 cm long.
The flowering of the Helsinki variety begins in June, while even young shrubs release buds. The flowers of the culture are up to 8 cm in size, funnel-shaped, light pink, with red patches in the upper part. The edges of the petals are wavy. The flowers are collected in 12 – 20 pieces in large inflorescences.
Pekka
Frost-resistant variety of Finnish selection, obtained by specialists from the University of Helsington. The rhododendron of this variety grows intensively, reaching a height of 10 m in 2 years. After that, its development does not stop. The largest shrubs can be up to 3 m. The crown of the culture is round and very dense.
Leaves are dark green, glabrous. Due to the good foliage, the Pekka variety is used for landscaping parks and squares. Flowering occurs in mid-June and lasts for 2 – 3 weeks. The inflorescences are light pink, brown specks are located on the inside.
The variety of rhododendron Pekka is frost-resistant, tolerates winter frosts down to -34 ° C. The plant prefers partial shade, ideal places for its cultivation are sparse pine forests. For the winter, a burlap shelter is built over the bush to keep moisture in the soil.
Hague
The evergreen Hague rhododendron is another representative of the Finnish series. The shrub is frost-resistant, grows up to 2 m in height and 1,4 m in width. The crown of its correct rounded or pyramidal shape, the shoots are gray, the leaves are dark green, simple.
The variety The Hague is valued for abundant flowering even after a harsh winter. The flowers of its pink color are collected in inflorescences of 20 pieces. They have red spots on the inside. Rhododendron buds bloom in mid-June, in cold weather – at a later date.
Flowering time is up to 3 weeks. The variety is frost-resistant, and does not freeze at temperatures down to -36 ° C. It thrives well in partial shade.
Peter Tigerstedt
Variety Peter Tigerstedt is named after a professor at the University of Helsington. The scientist was engaged in the cultivation of rhododendrons and the breeding of frost-resistant hybrids. The shrub reaches a height and width of 1,5 m. The density of the crown depends on the illumination: in the shade it becomes more sparse. The leaves are bare, elongated, dark green.
The buds of the Tigerstedt variety are cream colored. Inflorescences consist of 15 – 20 flowers. Petals – a white flower, on the top there is a dark purple spot. Flowers – in the form of a funnel, 7 cm in diameter. Rhododendron blooms in late May and early June. The variety is frost-resistant, not afraid of cold weather down to -36 ° С.
Hachmans Feuerschein
The frost-resistant variety Hahmans Feuerschein is a wide shrub up to 1,2 m high. Rhododendron grows in breadth, the shrub reaches 1,4 m in girth. The leaves are large, saturated in color, with a glossy surface.
The variety is valued for abundant flowering and decorative appearance. The flowers are dark red, consist of 5 petals. They are collected in large spherical inflorescences and grow at the top of the shoots. Buds appear even in young shrubs. Flowering occurs at the beginning of summer.
The variety of rhododendron Hahmans Feuerschein is frost-resistant. Without shelter, the shrub does not freeze at a temperature of -26 ° C. With soil mulching and additional insulation, it withstands more severe winters.
Roseum Elegance
An old frost-resistant hybrid, bred in 1851 in England. The variety has become widespread in cold regions in the northeast of America. The shrub is vigorous, reaches a height of 2 – 3 m. It grows annually by 15 cm. The crown is wide, rounded, up to 4 m in girth. The shrub does not freeze at temperatures down to -32 ° C.
The leaves of rhododendron are leathery, oval, saturated green in color. The buds open in June. Inflorescences are compact, consist of 12 – 20 flowers. Petals are pink, with a reddish spot, wavy at the edges. Funnel-shaped flowers, up to 6 cm in size. Lilac stamens.
Deciduous winter-hardy varieties of rhododendrons
In deciduous rhododendrons, the leaves fall for the winter. In autumn they turn yellow or orange. The most frost-resistant hybrids were obtained in the USA and European countries. Most of these varieties tolerate cold down to -32 ° C. Deciduous hybrids endure the winter under cover of dry leaves and peat.
Irena Coster
Frost-resistant rhododendron Irena Koster was obtained in Holland. Shrub up to 2,5 m high. Its average annual growth is 8 cm. The crown is round, wide, up to 5,5 m in diameter. The leaves are oblong, in autumn they become burgundy or yellow.
The flowers of the plant are pink in color, with a yellowish spot, 6 cm in size, have a strong aroma. They are collected in compact inflorescences of 6 – 12 pcs. The blooming of the buds falls on the last days of May. The culture is used for group plantings next to evergreen hybrids. A winter-hardy rhododendron variety for the Moscow region and the middle lane is resistant to frost down to -24 ° C.
Oxidol
Frost-resistant hybrid bred in 1947 by English breeders. Shrub up to 2,5 m high. The crown reaches 3 m in girth. Shoots are green with a reddish undertone. The branches are upright, growing rapidly. Frost resistance is -27 ° С. The variety is considered promising for growing in the middle lane.
The leaves of rhododendron Oksidol are green, in autumn they become burgundy and yellowish. The plant blooms at the end of May. The last buds bloom at the end of June with snow-white flowers, wavy along the edges, with a barely noticeable yellow spot. The size of each of them is 6 – 9 cm. They form a rounded inflorescence
Orchid Lights
Rhododendron Orchid Lights is included in the group of frost-resistant varieties. Plants were obtained from the University of Minnesota. Work on them began in 1930. In addition to this hybrid, American specialists have bred other frost-resistant varieties: Rosie Lights, Golden Lights, Candy Lights, etc.
The variety Othid Lights is distinguished by its compact size. Its height is up to 0,9 m, the width does not exceed 1,2 m. The crown of the plant is rounded. Its leaves are pointed, flat, green-yellow in color. Flowers 4,5 cm in size, tubular, with a strong aroma, bloom in mid-May. Their color is light purple, with a yellow spot.
In favorable conditions, rhododendron grows up to 40 years. He rarely gets sick because he is immune to fungal diseases. The hybrid withstands frosts down to -37 ° С. Generative kidneys are not damaged at a temperature of -42 °C.
Sylphides
Rhododendron Silphides is part of a group of English varieties bred at the end of the XNUMXth century. Hybrids were obtained on the basis of Japanese and American varieties. Variety Silfides – the most frost-resistant representative of the group.
The average height of the plant is 1,2 m, the maximum is 2 m. Its crown is rounded, when blooming, the leaves from dark red color gradually become greenish. Frost resistance of Silfides variety reaches -32 °С. The culture develops well in partial shade and in sunny areas.
Flowers bloom in inflorescences of 8 – 14 pieces. Their flowering period falls on May and June. Funnel-shaped sepals are white with a pinkish tint. At the bottom of the petals is a yellow rounded inflorescence. The variety has no aroma.
Gibraltar
The Gibraltar rhododendron is a spreading shrub with a dense crown. In height and width, it reaches 2 m. The growth rate is medium. Young brown leaves gradually turn dark green. In autumn, they turn crimson and orange. The variety is suitable for growing in the middle lane and the North-West region.
The bush produces numerous bell-shaped flowers. Petals – curved, orange. Flowers grow in groups of 5-10. Each of them reaches 8 cm in girth. Flowering falls in mid-May and early June.
Nabucco
Rhododendron Nabucco is a deciduous frost-resistant variety. Flowering shrub has a decorative appearance. Its dimensions reach 2 m. The rhododendron of this variety is spreading, it does not look like a small tree. Its leaves are collected in 5 pieces at the ends of the shoots. The shape of the leaf plate is ovoid, tapering near the petiole.
The flowers of the plant are bright red, open, have a weak aroma. Flowering is plentiful, begins at the end of May and lasts until mid-June. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow-red. The hybrid is frost-resistant, withstands cold down to -29 ° С.
Variety Nabucco looks impressive single plantings and in combination with other hybrids. The plant reproduces well by seeds. They are harvested in the fall and germinated at home.
Homebush
Rhododendron Homebush is a deciduous variety of medium flowering time. It is a shrub with straight numerous shoots. Its growth rate is average, the plant reaches a height of 2 m, has a powerful bush that requires regular pruning.
The flowering of the shrub is plentiful, begins in May or June. Petals are pink, terry, pointed in shape. Inflorescences are spherical, 6-8 cm in size. Young leaves from bronze in summer become rich green. In autumn, they change color to crimson, then to orange.
The hybrid is frost-resistant, withstands cold down to -30 ° C. It grows without problems in the Northwest. In a harsh region, the bush blooms annually.
Klondike
The Klondike rhododendron variety was obtained in Germany in 1991. The hybrid got its name in honor of the Klondike region – the center of the gold rush in North America. Rhododendron grows rapidly and strikes with abundant flowering.
Flowers in the form of large bells have a pleasant aroma. Unopened buds are red with orange vertical stripes. Blooming flowers have a golden yellow color.
The shrub grows well in shady and lighted places. Its petals do not fade in the sun. The grade is frost-resistant, does not freeze out at a temperature up to -30 °C.
Semi-deciduous frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons
Semi-deciduous rhododendrons shed their leaves under adverse conditions. When the air temperature rises, shrubs quickly restore green mass. For the winter, frost-resistant varieties are covered with dry leaves and spruce branches. A frame is placed on top and a non-woven material is attached to it.
Rhododendron Ledebour
The winter-hardy Ledebour rhododendron grows naturally in the coniferous forests of Altai and Mongolia. Shrub with thin shoots directed upwards, up to 1,5 m high with dark gray bark, leathery, up to 3 cm long leaves. In winter, the foliage curls up and opens during thaws. At the beginning of the development of new shoots, it falls off.
Ledebourg’s rhododendron blooms in May. The buds on it bloom within 14 days. Re-flowering occurs in autumn. The bush has a decorative look. Its flowers are pink-violet in color, up to 5 cm in size. The plant is frost-resistant, little susceptible to diseases and pests. Propagated by seeds, division of the bush, cuttings.
Rhododendron pukhansky
Frost-resistant rhododendron pukhansky comes from Japan and Korea. The shrub forms thickets on the slopes of mountains or in pine forests. The height of the plant does not exceed 1 m. Its bark is gray, the leaves are dark green, oblong. Flowers 5 cm in size, very fragrant, with pale purple petals interspersed with brown, bloom in 2-3 pieces in inflorescences.
The shrub is slowly growing. Its annual growth is 2 cm. In one place, the plant lives up to 50 years, preferring neutral moist soils. The frost resistance of the culture is high. For the winter, the Pukhkhansky rhododendron has enough light shelter from dry leaves and spruce branches.
Sikhotinsky rhododendron
Sikhotinsky rhododendron is frost-resistant and decorative. In nature, it grows in the Far East – singly or in groups. Prefers undergrowth of conifers, rocks, rocky slopes. The height of the shrub is from 0,3 to 3 m. Its shoots are reddish-brown, the leaves are leathery with a pleasant resinous aroma.
During the flowering period, the Sikhotinsky rhododendron is almost completely covered with large flowers. They are 4-6 cm in size, funnel-shaped, pinkish to deep purple in color. Buds open within 2 weeks. In warm autumn, secondary flowering is observed. The plant is frost-resistant and unpretentious. Grows in acidic soil.
Rhododendron obtuse
Frost-resistant variety, found naturally in the mountains of Japan. A plant with a height of 0,5 to 1,5 m with a wide and thickened crown. The leaves of the bush are green, elliptical. Blooming in April-May, pink flowers, 3-4 cm in size, with a faint aroma, have the shape of a funnel. The duration of flowering is up to 30 days.
Rhododendron blunt grows slowly. During the year, its size increases by 3 cm. The shrub prefers lighted places, loose, slightly acidic soils, its life span is up to 50 years. The plant withstands frosts down to -25 ° C, for the winter its branches are bent to the ground and covered with dry leaves.
Vikes Scarlet
Rhododendron varieties Vayks Scarlet refers to Japanese azaleas. Variety bred in Holland. The shrub grows up to 1,5 m, its crown is sparse, up to 2 m in girth, the leaves are pubescent, elliptical in shape, up to 7 cm long.
Shrub flowers in the form of a wide funnel, dark carmine color, up to 5 cm in size. Flowering begins in the last decade of May and lasts until the middle of the next month. It is ideal for heather gardens and rock gardens. Rhododendron Vayks Scarlet is planted in places protected from the wind. The variety looks advantageous in group plantings.
Ladyness
Rhododendron of the Ladyness variety is a representative of semi-deciduous shrubs. Shoots are located directly. The crown of the azalea is wide and dense. Its flowering occurs in the last decade of May – early July. The flowers are in the form of a wide bell, with a light lilac color, with purple spots in the upper part. This shade is considered rare for deciduous rhododendrons.
An adult plant reaches a height of 80 cm and a width of 130 cm. It grows well in the middle lane and in the North-West. The winter hardiness of the bush is increased, it can withstand temperatures down to -27 ° C. For the winter, they organize shelter from dry leaves and peat.
Schneeperl
Schneeperl rhododendron is a representative of semi-deciduous azaleas, which reach a height of no more than 0,5 m. Their crown is round, up to 0,55 m in size. Double snow-white flowers bloom from late May to mid-June. The flowering of the bush is very plentiful, the plant is strewn with buds.
The Schneeperl variety is frost-resistant and is not afraid of cold weather down to -25 ° C. For planting choose semi-shady areas. Under the bright sun, the leaves burn out, and the bush slowly develops. For abundant flowering, rhododendron needs moist soil rich in humus.
Conclusion
The frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons with the photo discussed above are very diverse. For planting in cold climates, evergreen or deciduous hybrids are chosen. They are resistant to temperature changes and tolerate harsh winters well.
