Rhododendron yakushimanskii: Golden Point, Rose Wolke, Lumina, Hummingbird

Yakushimansky rhododendron is a spectacular representative of the Heather family. The plant is characterized by abundant flowering and winter hardiness. Based on this form, numerous varieties have been obtained that take root well in central Our Country.

Description of rhododendron yakushimanskogo

In nature, the yakushiman rhododendron grows on the southern islands of Japan at an altitude of more than 1900 m above sea level.

It is believed that this plant survived the Ice Age. This happened due to the formation of warm places on the coast.

In Europe, the yakushiman species spread only in the 30s of the XNUMXth century. The plant won first place at the Chelsea Flower Show. Since then, it has been used to produce new frost-resistant hybrids.

According to the photo and description, the Yakushiman rhododendron is an evergreen shrub that reaches a height of 1 m. Its leaves are elliptical or oblong, in the middle part they are the widest. The length of the leaf plate is up to 15 cm, width – 4 cm. The foliage is dark green on top, bare, with a glossy surface. On the reverse side, it is light yellow, there is pubescence.

Flowers bloom in inflorescences of 10 – 12 pieces. Their corollas are in the form of a wide funnel or bell. The petals are pink with dark spots later turning white. The diameter of the flowers is up to 6 cm. Flowering is long and abundant. The first buds open in May.

In September-October, seeds are formed in boxes. The shrub is slowly growing. In a year, the maximum growth is 5 cm. The life of the plant is up to 25 years. Its winter hardiness is high, about -29 ° С.

Varieties of rhododendron yakushimansky

Based on the natural form of the Yakushiman rhododendron, numerous varieties have been bred. All of them are distinguished by good winter hardiness and decorative properties. Hybrids are suitable for growing in the Moscow region and the middle lane.

Rhododendron yakushimansky Golden Point

Variety Golden Toch, or Golden Torch is a compact undersized shrub. Its leaves are large, leathery, elongated, up to 10 cm long. The plant produces numerous inflorescences. Pink buds with cream petals. Inside the flowers are yellow-orange. The flowering period is May-June. The winter hardiness of the Golden Torch rhododendron is high, about -24 ° C.

Planting and caring for Golden Torch rhododendron involves choosing a moderately lit place. It is desirable that the bright sun does not affect the plant in the afternoon. The flower is sensitive to lack of moisture.

Rhododendron Yakushima Bluretta

Variety Bluretta is a small shrub that gives a small increase. Its crown is dense, dome-shaped. The height does not exceed 0,9 m. In width, the culture grows up to 1,3 m.

The inflorescences of this variety are conical in shape. Petals are pink-violet, wavy at the edges. Flowering begins in the last decade of May – early June. Buds are released even by young plants.

Yakushiman’s Bluretta variety is suitable for the middle lane. The plant withstands frosts in the range of -23 – 18 ° С. It prefers shady areas or partial shade. Drought tolerance is average, moderate watering is required.

Yakushimansky rhododendron Kalinka

The yakushiman rhododendron Kalinka is an outstanding variety that has received many awards at international exhibitions. The plant is 80-120 cm high, sometimes reaches 140 cm. Its crown is thickened, rounded, grows up to 1,5 m. The roots are located in the upper layer of the soil. The leaves are oval or slightly elongated, leathery. From above, the sheet plate is saturated green, on the reverse side it is lighter.

Raspberry buds turn pink and purple when blooming. The petals of the flowers are corrugated, the color is darker along the edges, on the inside – with yellow-brown spots. The flowers are collected in inflorescences, appear towards the end of May.

Rhododendron yakushimanski Brazil

Brazil rhododendron is a compact bush up to 1,2 m high. Its crown is columnar. The leaves are large and shiny, dark green in color. The culture grows well in the shade and partial shade. Yakushiman Brazil prefers moist soils. At the same time, water stagnation is not allowed.

The flowers are pale apricot in color with a yellow funnel-shaped spot. Petals are corrugated. Inflorescences dense and abundant consist of 12 – 15 flowers. Flowering begins in the first decade of May and lasts until the end of June.

Rhododendron Yakushiman Lorelei

Lorelei is a type of Yakushiman rhododendron. The shrub is compact, has a wide oval shape. Its leaves are elliptical, dark green, pointed at the tips, with a shiny surface. An adult plant up to 0,8 m high. Frost resistance is up to -22 ° С.

The Lorelei variety blooms in May and June. Light pink buds. The edges of the petals are corrugated, with a darker border. The flowers are collected in inflorescences and bloom at the tops of the shoots.

Rhododendron Yakushiman Lichtfire

Variety Lichtfire is an evergreen shrub that prefers shady areas or light partial shade. An adult plant about 1,1 m high, up to 1,3 m wide. It looks spectacular in single plantings and in combination with other varieties.

In May-June, the shrub produces bright red flowers. They are formed in inflorescences of 10 – 12 pieces. Flowering begins in early May and ends at the end of the month. The edges of the petals are wavy, in the middle their color is lighter. Inflorescences are large, more than 10 cm in size. The leaves of the plant are green, oblong, slightly twisted at the edges.

Yakushiman rhododendron Rosa Wolke

Yakushiman variety Rosa Wolke is a medium-sized evergreen shrub. An adult plant has a height of 1,2 m. It grows up to 2 m wide. The annual growth is 10 cm. The leaves are leathery, emerald in color – in the form of an ellipse.

The buds open in May-June. Variety Rosa Wolke produces double flowers of pale pink color. Their petals are terry, with a bright red border. The flowers are collected in brushes of 6 – 15 pieces. The frost resistance of the culture is average, not more than -22 ° С.

Rhododendron Yakushimansky Lumina

The Lumina variety is an evergreen shrub that does not exceed 90 cm in height. The leaves are large, with a shiny surface. Frost resistance of the plant is increased. The crown of its spherical shape, compact. The leaves are elongated, leathery. The plant survives winters with colds down to -28 ° C.

The flowering of the Yakushiman variety Lumina is abundant and long-lasting. Its flowers are large, 4-6 cm wide. The petals are pink, corrugated along the edges. Toward the end of flowering, their color turns pale. The first buds open in late May. Flowering lasts until the middle of next month.

Rhododendron Yakushiman Mix

Variety Mix is ​​an evergreen shrub. Plant with oblong dark green leaves. The bush grows to a height of 2,2 m. The inflorescences are large, consist of 6 – 8 flowers. Petals are dark pink, lighter in the middle. Flowering takes place in May-June.

Rhododendron Yakushima Hummingbird

The Yakushiman Hummingbird variety is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of 0,8 m. The crown size of an adult plant is up to 1,2 cm. Its leaves are oval, elongated, slightly convex. The length of the leaf plate is up to 10 cm. The crown is compact, spherical in shape.

Yakushiman variety Hummingbird blooms from the second half of May to the first decade of June. The culture grows slowly, by 5 cm annually. Petals are light pink with white spots. Frost resistance of a bush – no more than -22 °C.

Rhododendron Yakushimansky Schneekrone

Rhododendron Schneekrone is an outstanding variety that has received many medals at international exhibitions. The plant is round and compact. Its height is from 0,8 to 1 m. The shrub grows up to 1,7 m wide. The leaves are large, dark green, elongated.

Variety Schneekrone blooms from the third week of May to mid-June. The buds are pale pink, bright white in color, corrugated along the edges. There are brown spots on the upper petal. The flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences. Rhododendron Schneekrone is resistant to frost down to -25 ° C.

Rhododendron Yakushiman Dreamland

A popular cultivar of the Yakushima rhododendron. An adult bush grows in width and you are 1,2 m. Its crown is spherical, sprawling. The leaves are leathery, dark in color, up to 10 cm long. The annual growth is 8 cm. The frost resistance of the variety is -23 ° С.

Flowering variety Dreamland begins in late May and lasts until early June. Its buds are bright pink. Blooming flowers are white, with a yellowish spot. They have a strong smell and are up to 6 cm in size. The flowers are collected in rounded compact inflorescences of 6-12 pieces.

Yakushiman rhododendron Carolina Albrook

Carolina Albrook is a well-known English variety that is valued for its early flowering. The bushes are vigorous, rounded, up to 0,9 m high. Adult rhododendrons grow up to 1,2 m wide. Their leaves are saturated green, elongated, with a pointed tip. The shrub withstands cold down to -25 ° C.

The Carolina Albrook variety blooms in June. The flowers are first lilac in color and gradually change to pale purple. Inside they have a yellowish pattern. Inflorescences 12 cm in size consist of 12 – 16 flowers. Each one is 6 cm.

Yakushimansky rhododendron Tatyana

Variety Tatyana is an evergreen shrub 0,8 m high. The width of the rhododendron grows up to 1,2 m. The buds begin to bloom at the end of May. The hybrid is characterized by long flowering, which is more than one month.

The flowers of the Tatyana variety are carmine-pink in color, lighter inside. The edges of the petals are wavy. The leaves are dense, dark green, leathery. The leaf plate is slightly curved. The inflorescences of the culture are spherical, appear at the ends of the shoots. The variety prefers soils with good drainage properties. The plant is sensitive to standing water.

Rhododendron yakushimansky Annushka

Variety Annushka is a dense evergreen shrub, which is characterized by abundant flowering. Its leaves are large, leathery, elliptical in shape. In height, the shrub grows up to 1 m, in width – up to 1,5 m. The winter hardiness of rhododendron is increased, it is -26 ° С.

Hybrid Annushka blooms in late spring – early summer. The flowers are pink in color, inside – lighter. There are dark red spots on the upper petal. The variety tolerates spring frosts well. The shrub grows slowly. Its development is negatively affected by the stagnation of moisture in the soil.

Yakushimansky rhododendron Isadora

The Yakushiman variety of Isadora is unpretentious. At the age of 10 years, it grows up to 1,5 m. The leaves on the lips are rounded, elongated, pointed at the tips. Frost resistance is -24 ° C.

The flowering of the Isadora hybrid occurs in May. Lilac-pink petals. Flowers are formed in spherical inflorescences of 8 – 12 pieces. The edges of the petals are wavy, on the upper there are dark red specks.

Rhododendron yakushimanskij Snizi

The yakushiman Sneezy rhododendron is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of 1 m. Its leaves are elongated, glossy, and rich green in color. When blooming, the foliage is silvery-felt. The hybrid has a winter hardiness of -23 °C.

The flowers of the Snizi variety are funnel-shaped, with corrugated edges, 6 cm in size. Their color is complex: from purple to pale pink. Upper petal with a dark red spot. The inflorescence in the form of a dome consists of 15 – 16 flowers. The flowering of the shrub is plentiful, annual.

Yakushiman rhododendron Fantasy

Yakushiman variety Fantastica is characterized by high winter hardiness: up to -30 ° С. A hybrid up to 1,5 m high has large flowers up to 6 cm in size, which are formed in inflorescences of 10-12 pieces. The buds open in early June. The color of the petals is light pink, with a bright border.

Rhododendron yakushimanskyi Percy Weissman

Variety Percy Weissman is characterized by increased winter hardiness. The shrub tolerates cold down to -30 ° C. The height of the rhododendron is up to 1,5 m. Its leaves are long, dark green, leathery. The flowers are large, up to 6 cm in size, grow in inflorescences of 12 pieces. Petals of complex color: from pale yellow to pink. The buds open in May-June.

Planting and caring for yakushiman rhododendron

The key to successful cultivation of Yakushiman rhododendron is the right choice of planting site. Then prepare the plot and the plant. During the growing season, the shrub is provided with care: watered, fed, prepared for wintering.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

Yakushiman rhododendron prefers partial shade, where the sun is only in the morning. The plant is suitable for decorating the north side of the garden, where more light-loving flowers do not take root well. The site should have wind protection in the form of a fence, building wall or larger shrubs.

The bush develops well on peaty fresh soils, acidic or slightly acidic. Moisture is constantly maintained for the soil, but stagnant water is detrimental to shrubs. Hybrids are suitable for decorating alpine slides, rocky gardens, paths and alleys. Rhododendrons of different varieties look spectacular in group plantings. However, evergreen varieties are not planted next to deciduous ones.

After choosing a site, they begin to prepare it. The earth is dug up, weeds and the remains of previous crops are removed. If the soil is too heavy, coarse river sand and peat will be required. Rhododendron develops best in a substrate consisting of leafy soil, peat and litter from a coniferous forest.

Seedling preparation

For planting choose yakushimansky rhododendron grown in containers. Such shrubs take root well in a new place. Before landing, they are taken out of the containers. The roots are cleaned from the earth and placed in clean water. To improve the survival rate of the seedling, a root growth stimulator is added to the liquid.

Rules of landing

Yakushimansky rhododendron in the Moscow region and the middle lane is planted in the spring. They are waiting for the snow to melt and the soil to warm up. Plants tolerate transplanting without problems.

How to plant a Yakushiman rhododendron:

1. Dig a hole 60 cm deep and 70 cm wide.
2. Place a drainage 15 cm thick of gravel or broken bricks on the bottom.
3. Pour the substrate into the pit with the addition of 100 g of complex mineral fertilizer.
4. Plant a shrub. At the same time, do not deepen the root neck, but leave it 3 cm above the ground.
5. Plentifully water the soil with acidified water.
6. Mulch the soil with peat and pine needles.

Watering and top dressing

Yakushiman rhododendrons need regular watering. Do not allow the soil to dry out. In hot weather, 5-6 liters of water are poured under each bush. Spray the plants in the morning or evening. Use warm settled water. If it is too hard and contains a lot of salts, then 2-3 handfuls of peat should be placed in a barrel a day before watering.

Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil. Peat, moss and pine needles are poured into the trunk circle. Weeds are regularly weeded under the rhododendron. After watering, slightly loosen the soil. The roots of plants are close to the surface of the earth, so it is important not to damage them.

Yakushiman rhododendron is fed every 2 to 3 years. In the spring, a nutrient mixture is introduced into the soil in the form of rotted manure. Plants benefit from mineral supplements containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Ready-made formulations are purchased or ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are mixed in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. After flowering, only potash and phosphate fertilizers are used. For young plantings, the dose of fertilizers is reduced.

Trimming

Yakushiman rhododendron does not require regular pruning. The crown of the shrub is formed in a natural way. For the plant, it is enough to carry out sanitary pruning. In spring and autumn, the rhododendron is inspected and dry, frozen, broken shoots are identified. They are removed with a pruner. The procedure is carried out when the plant is at rest in order to injure it less.

Preparation for winter

Even cold-resistant varieties of rhododendron need to be prepared for winter. While the soil is not frozen, the plants are watered abundantly. Then they are covered with dry leaves and spruce branches. If a cold winter is expected, then the shrubs will need additional warming. A frame is built above them and agrofiber or kraft paper is attached to it.

In the spring, shelter is removed in late March – early April. So that the leaves of the Yakushiman rhododendron do not suffer from the bright sun, the spruce branches are not removed at first. Otherwise, the shrub will get burned.

Reproduction

Natural forms of the Yakushiman rhododendron are propagated by seeds. They are collected at the end of September – October. In spring, the seeds are planted in boxes filled with a substrate of peat and sand. The material is not deepened, but distributed over the surface. Sprinkle a thin layer of sand on top and water abundantly. The boxes are covered with glass and kept warm. Shoots appear in 18 – 20 days.

The entrances of the Yakushiman rhododendron react sharply to the lack of moisture. Plants are protected from the bright sun and regularly watered. Daylight hours should be at least 16 hours. In June, seedlings dive in separate containers. In the summer they are kept outside, and in the fall they are cleaned indoors. Rhododendron is planted in a permanent place only in the 3rd year, when the seedlings are strong enough.

Rhododendron cuttings are harvested in summer. For this purpose, half-cured shoots 8-10 cm long are cut off. They are rooted in a container filled with sand and peat. The root system is formed within 30 – 45 days. Then the cuttings are transferred to containers with nutrient soil. They are regularly watered and fed with mineral complexes. Rhododendron is planted in open ground in the 3rd year.

Diseases and pests

In case of violation of agricultural technology, the yakushiman rhododendron can be susceptible to diseases and pests. With high soil moisture, signs of fungal diseases appear on the plants: dark or gray spots. Bordeaux liquid, the drug Fundazol, copper oxychloride helps to fight lesions. The shrub is sprayed on the leaf.

Yakushiman rhododendron attracts scale insects, weevil, spider mites, slugs. Pests feed on the aerial parts of plants, slow down their development and worsen the decorative appearance. Insecticides Spark, Aktellik, Karbofos are used against insects. For spraying prepare a working solution. If necessary, re-treatment is carried out after 1 – 2 weeks.

Conclusion

The Yakushiman rhododendron is grown far beyond the borders of Japan. The shrub has a decorative look and fits well into the landscaping of the garden. For growing rhododendron, choose a suitable place on the site. During the growing season, he needs watering and top dressing.