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Rhododendron The Hague is a hybrid that has become widespread due to its decorative appearance and winter hardiness. To grow this variety, choose a suitable place, prepare a site and a seedling. During the growing season, shrubs need some care.
Description of the rhododendron The Hague
The Hague variety is an evergreen hybrid rhododendron that belongs to the Finnish series. Specialists from the University of Helsington and the Mustila Arboretum worked on it. By 1973, several winter-hardy hybrids had been bred. Among them was the Hague variety.
Rhododendron The Hague is a bush with a crown of the correct form. For 10 years, the plant reaches a height of 1,5 m. The crown is dense, pyramidal or rounded. The bark is grey, smooth. Vegetative buds reach a length of 50 mm, they are pointed, scaly, green-yellow in color.
Rhododendron leaves are dark green, simple, alternate. The length of the leaf plate is 7,5 cm, width – 5 cm. The petiole is up to 5 cm in size. The Hague variety produces pink flowers collected in inflorescences of 8 – 12 pcs. On the inside of the petals are reddish spots. The length of the flowers is up to 6 cm, the width is up to 1,5 cm. After flowering in autumn, light green fruits 2-4 cm long ripen.
Variety The Hague begins to bloom at a young age. In southern Finland, flowers bloom in mid-June. In northern latitudes, the buds swell later. Long flowering from 2 to 3 weeks.
Rhododendron Hague in the photo:
Winter hardiness of Rhododendron Hague
The Hague variety is characterized by increased winter hardiness. Plants withstand temperatures as low as -36 °C. The hybrid is well adapted to conditions. It is planted in the middle lane, in the northwest and colder regions.
Growing conditions for hybrid rhododendron The Hague
To grow the Hague variety rhododendron, it is necessary to provide it with a number of conditions. The plant needs a certain microclimate, which includes lighting, air and soil humidity, soil composition.
Conditions for the successful cultivation of The Hague rhododendron:
- diffused sunlight or partial shade;
- protection from cold wind;
- acidic fertile soil rich in humus;
- fertilizer supply;
- soil moisture.
Rhododendron is ideal for decorating shady areas of the garden. The plant gets along well next to evergreen and ornamental shrubs. Buildings, fences and large trees serve as wind protection.
The shrub develops best on loamy and sandy soils. Permissible acidity – from 4,5 to 6,5. The earth must pass moisture and air well.
Planting and caring for rhododendron The Hague
Compliance with the rules of planting is one of the conditions for successfully growing The Hague rhododendron. Start by choosing a suitable site where the plant will be as comfortable as possible. If necessary, improve the composition of the soil. Then choose planting material.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Rhododendron variety The Hague is not recommended to be planted in the lowlands. Moisture and cold air often accumulate in such areas, which is detrimental to shrubs. If a place is chosen on a hill, then the wind rose and the intensity of the sun’s rays are evaluated.
Good places for the Hague rhododendron are under the canopy of coniferous and deciduous trees, next to streams, artificial reservoirs and fountains. The plant is suitable for single and group planting. The ideal option is glades surrounded by trees, a sparse pine forest, northern parts of the garden, where the sun appears only in the morning and in the afternoon.
If you plan to plant several different varieties, then it is better not to have evergreen and deciduous varieties nearby. In addition, rhododendron is not planted next to maple, chestnut, poplar, elm, linden, alder. In these trees, the root system is located in the upper layers of the soil and takes a lot of nutrients. The best neighbors will be pines, spruces, larches, oaks.
The preparation of the site for the Hague variety begins with digging the soil. Be sure to remove the remains of previous plants, weeds, stones and other debris. If the soil is sandy and poorly retains moisture, then add a little clay and peat. Humus and coarse river sand are introduced into dense clay soil.
Seedling preparation
Rhododendron seedlings The Hague tolerate transplants well. Their root system is located in the upper layer of the earth and does not penetrate deep. For growing in the garden, seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Shrubs grown in containers do best.
Before buying, the plant is carefully inspected. Choose specimens without cracks, mold and other damage. If it is possible to inspect the root system, then its appearance should also be assessed. The roots should not have growths, soft or rotten areas.
Before planting, the Hague seedling is removed from the container. The root system is lowered into the water for 3 – 4 hours. During this time, it will be well saturated with moisture. If the work is carried out in the spring, then you can add 2 – 3 drops of a root growth stimulator.
Rules of landing
The Hague rhododendron is planted in the spring. Choose a time when the soil warms up well and frosts pass. In nature, these evergreen shrubs grow on acidic soils saturated with humus. Therefore, prepare a substrate that meets these requirements.
The procedure for planting rhododendron varieties The Hague:
- A hole 70 cm wide and 60 cm deep is dug on the site.
- If the soil is heavy, broken bricks or crushed stone are placed on the bottom. The thickness of the drainage layer is 15 cm.
- Then proceed to the preparation of the substrate. They take soddy land, high-moor peat and coniferous litter in a ratio of 3:2:1. The components are thoroughly mixed.
- The substrate is poured into the pit.
- Rhododendron is planted at the same depth as in a container. The root neck is not covered, otherwise the plant will die.
- A hole is made around the bush, more earth is poured around the edges.
- The sapling of the Hague variety is well watered.
- Under the plant, a mulching layer of peat or needles 8 cm thick is poured.
Watering and top dressing
Rhododendrons are sensitive to lack of moisture. Watering is especially important during the budding period. Their lack negatively affects flowering and shoot growth. The first signs of a lack of water are drooping leaves rolled up into a tube. In this case, the rhododendron is watered abundantly.
It is best to use soft rain moisture for watering. Hard water contains a lot of calcium, which alkalizes the soil. To soften it, 2-3 handfuls of high-moor peat are added to the container.
Subject to the rules of planting, the Hague rhododendron does not need to be fed. However, the intake of minerals will accelerate flowering and make it more abundant. The first feeding is carried out in May. It is best to choose ready-made mineral complexes for shrubs: Absolut, Forte, Farmland. They are available in the form of liquid or granules.
For the season, the rhododendron of the Hague variety is enough for 2 – 3 dressings. The last time fertilizer is applied in July. At the same time, substances containing lime and chlorine are abandoned. From organic fertilizers, quail manure is suitable for shrubs. It is applied in autumn or spring on top of the soil.
Trimming
According to the photo and description, The Hague rhododendron grows slowly. For shrubs, sanitary pruning is carried out. In spring and autumn, they inspect it, remove dry, broken, frozen shoots. If the rhododendron grows too much, then you can cut out the extra shoots. The procedure is carried out before or after the start of sap flow, so as not to injure the plant.
To rejuvenate an old bush, its shoots are pruned annually by 15 cm. This stimulates the growth of new strong branches. All cuts are treated with a special paste.
Preparation for winter
It is recommended to cover the young rhododendron of the Hague variety for the winter in the first years after planting. The plant is watered abundantly before the arrival of frost. Then it is covered with dry oak leaves and spruce branches.
In a cold climate, the rhododendron is insulated with a non-woven fabric, which is attached to the frame. Shelter is removed in late March or early April. However, you should leave the spruce branches so that the plant does not suffer from sunburn.
Reproduction
For the Hague rhododendron, vegetative propagation methods are used. New plants are obtained using cuttings or layering. If you collect and plant the seeds, this does not guarantee the preservation of the color of the flowers and the decorative properties of the resulting seedlings.
For grafting in July, strong, half-dulled branches are chosen. They are cut to a length of 8 cm and placed in a growth stimulator solution for 15 hours. Then the cuttings are transplanted into a substrate consisting of peat and sand. From above they are covered with polyethylene or a glass jar. Rooting occurs at high humidity and in heat. In cuttings, the root system appears after 3-4 months.
For propagation of rhododendron by layering, several strong shoots are chosen. They are lowered into prepared holes and fastened with staples. Then the branches are covered with earth and the top 20 cm long is left on the surface. The entire season is watered and fed. From the eyes of the shoots new branches appear. New shoots are planted from the mother bush after 2 years.
Diseases and pests
In case of violation of agricultural technology, the Hague rhododendron becomes susceptible to fungal diseases. Dark spots appear on the leaves and stems, which gradually spread. The main causes of the appearance of the fungus are an excess of moisture in the air, poor aeration of the soil, and excessive watering.
Medicines containing copper help fight diseases. This includes Fundazol, copper oxychloride, Bordeaux liquid. Plants are sprayed on a cloudy day or in the evening. If necessary, re-treatment is performed after a week.
Rhododendron is susceptible to attack by weevil, spider mites, false shields and other pests. They feed on the juices of the bush, which inhibits its development and spoils the decorative appearance. To protect the Hague variety from insects, Iskra, Aktellik, Karbofos preparations are used.
Conclusion
Rhododendron The Hague is a great option for growing even in cold climates. The plant has a decorative appearance, unpretentious, tolerates harsh winters. To grow a rhododendron, it is necessary to allocate a suitable place on the site. Caring for the Hague variety includes watering, fertilizing, preparing for wintering.
