Rhododendrons in the Moscow region: planting and care, the best varieties

Rhododendron is a stunningly beautiful plant, numerous varieties of which delight the eye with a palette of colors and a variety of shapes. However, many gardeners are convinced that this culture is not so easy to grow anywhere other than countries with a warm tropical climate. Nevertheless, in Central Our Country it is very possible to become the owner of an exotic shrub or tree. That is why it is so important to know the varieties of rhododendrons for the Moscow region with photos and names, and the features of plant farming for this region.

Features of growing rhododendrons in the suburbs

Although native to tropical latitudes, rhododendrons have been successfully bred throughout Europe for many years. In the Moscow region, they also managed to adapt, but their cultivation is associated with some nuances:

1. It is necessary to choose a variety suitable for growing in a particular region. It must be hardy to endure the cold winter months.
2. It is regularly required to mulch the shrub with needles or tree bark. Mulching plays a key role in winter; without this procedure, rhododendron of any variety will not be able to survive until the arrival of spring and will freeze.
3. You should not loosen the soil near the bush, since rhododendrons have a superficial root system that can be damaged during the procedure.
4. Weeds should only be removed by hand. At the same time, unwanted vegetation is simply pulled out without using improvised tools so as not to injure the rhizomes.

In addition to these features, recommendations for planting and care should be followed. Proper care of rhododendrons in the Moscow region will be rewarded with abundant flowering and well-groomed shrubs.

The best varieties of rhododendrons for the Moscow region

Rhododendrons amaze the imagination with an abundance of varieties and colors. However, not all of them can be successfully grown in Central Our Country. In the Moscow region, as a rule, only frost-resistant varieties take root well. And although it may seem that such a restriction significantly narrows the range of plants with which you can decorate your summer cottage, among these varieties there are quite bright representatives for every taste. The photo below shows only some varieties from an extensive list of rhododendrons suitable for the Moscow region

Katevbinsky

This evergreen rhododendron is a real long-liver among other varieties and has an average life expectancy of 100 – 150 years. It reaches a height of up to 4 m even in the Moscow region and stands out for its large leaf plates, the average length of which is 15 cm. Their surface is glossy, dark green, with prominent veins. The reverse side of the leaves has a pale tint. In late spring, this variety has lilac or white flowers, which form numerous dense inflorescences up to 6 – 7 cm in diameter.

Canadian

Canadian rhododendron belongs to dwarf deciduous shrubs and is excellent for the climate of the Moscow region due to its unpretentiousness and resistance to temperature extremes. It is a low bush up to 1 m in height and 1,5 m in width. Young shoots of a bright yellow-red rhododendron, darkening with age, are covered with narrow pointed and slightly twisted leaves of a blue-green tone. The unusually shaped pink-lilac flowers of the plant, blooming in May-June, are odorless.

short-fruited

The short-fruited rhododendron, or Fori, is an evergreen native to Asia. In the wild, it can grow up to 6 m, but in the Moscow region this variety has a more modest size – 2 – 2,5 m. Although it has massive leathery leaves, its crown is quite compact and does not need pruning. The Fori variety is remembered for its spectacular flowers, collected in corymbose inflorescences. In one inflorescence there can be from 10 to 15 pale pink or white flowers. The flowering period of this shrub is in June, but this does not happen before the rhododendron reaches the age of 20 years.

Ledebour

The semi-evergreen variety of Ledebour, also known as Maralnik, is able to withstand frosts down to 30 oC. This feature allows him to feel comfortable even in the cool climate of the Moscow region and quickly recover after the winter. This rhododendron grows up to 1,5 – 2 m, and its flowering period is sometimes repeated 2 times per season – in late May and early September. At this time, racemose inflorescences with pink bell-shaped flowers up to 5 cm in diameter appear on branches with small shiny leaves.

Smirnova

Although Turkey is the birthplace of the evergreen rhododendron of the Smirnov variety, it has adapted well to the weather conditions of central Our Country, in particular, the Moscow region. Outwardly, it looks like a 1,5-meter shrub with wide long leaves up to 15 cm. During flowering, this variety pleases the eye with red-pink flowers in inflorescences of 10-15 pieces with yellow specks on the petals.

Schlippenbach

Schlippenbach’s rhododendron is classified as a deciduous variety, which in its natural habitat grows up to 4 m. In the Moscow region, this shrub grows much more slowly, the height of adult specimens is 1,5 – 2 m. However, this does not in the least affect the flowering of the variety. It is abundant and often begins even before foliage appears on the plant. The flowers of this rhododendron have a light purple color and a pleasant aroma. In addition, they have long, slightly curved stamens, up to 10 pieces. The green leafy plates of the shrub are small and smooth, turning red, orange and yellow in autumn.

Japanese

The Japanese rhododendron is valued by gardeners more than other deciduous varieties because of its impressive decorative appearance and is quite suitable for growing in the Moscow region. Its flowering is lush and lasts from mid-May to mid-June. Rhododendron flowers of this variety with a diameter of 8 – 10 cm have a bright orange or red color with yellow transitions. On a low, 1,5 m, shrub, they resemble bright flames that completely hide narrow green leaves underneath.

Planting and caring for rhododendrons in the suburbs

Some plant lovers are put off by the tropical origin of rhododendrons, as they think that these exotic shrubs are very whimsical. In fact, this is far from the case, and many varieties of rhododendrons can be grown in the Moscow region even by novice flower growers, if you know how to plant them and what care procedures need to be carried out.

When to plant rhododendron in the suburbs

In order for the rhododendron to take root well and delight with lush flowering in the conditions of the Moscow region, you should carefully consider the timing of planting the crop. As a rule, the most suitable time for this procedure is considered to be spring, when the sun has not yet entered in full force, but the frosts have already passed, and the soil is quite warm and moderately moist. In such weather, as in the Moscow region, the planting of rhododendrons can be carried out in the fall. The main thing is to do this no later than October, so that the shrub has at least 2 – 3 weeks to adapt to new conditions before the onset of stable cold weather.

How to plant a rhododendron in the suburbs

Half of the success in breeding rhododendrons in the Moscow region depends on the place of their planting, therefore, the selection of the site on which it is planned to grow the plant must be approached competently.

Even the most frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons are very sensitive to the sun and strong winds, so the seat must be well protected from drafts and direct sunlight. The ideal planting area will be the north or northeast side of the house, where the shade from the building will cover the plants from the heat. Can also place rhododendrons under the shade of tall fruit crops, oaks or pines. They will become a natural awning for rhododendrons. If it is not possible to place shrubs next to spreading trees, it is worth shading rhododendrons with the help of special canopies. They can be made independently using special material, which should be fixed on stakes driven into the ground. Such a canopy should be 1,5 times higher than the shrub and have space for ventilation. Lutrasil with a density of 60 g / m2 and spunbond, stretched in 2 layers, have proven themselves as a shading material in the conditions of the Moscow Region for rhododendrons of all varieties.

When choosing a place to plant a plant, it is worth giving preference to elevated areas so that the melt water in the spring does not wet its roots. You can strengthen the elevation and prevent its deformation if you overlay the plant with stones.

As for soils, these exotic shrubs prefer moderately moist, acidic soil. If the soil at the planned planting site has a high pH level, it must be acidified manually. You can do this in several ways:

• adding sphagnum peat or heather to the soil;
• the introduction of potassium sulfate, superphosphate or ammonium sulfate;
• adding to the soil a mixture of fallen needles, crushed pine and spruce cones.

Having decided on the site, you can start planting the plant, guided by the following steps:

1. Before landing, a layer of soil 1 m thick should be removed from the landing pit.
2. At the bottom, it is necessary to place a drainage of broken brick or crushed stone 25 – 30 cm high, then sprinkle it with 10 – 15 cm of sand.
3. Rhododendron should be planted in the ground and covered with an earthen mixture of red high-moor peat, loam and pine needles in a ratio of 2: 3: 1.
4. When moving different varieties of rhododendron into the soil, it is necessary to carefully monitor that the root neck of the shrubs is not buried, otherwise the plants will not be able to bloom and will quickly die.
5. The distance between tall plants should be at least 1,5 – 2,0 m, medium-sized -1,2 – 1,5 m. The distance between low-growing varieties should be 0,7 – 1 m.
6. Upon completion of planting, the soil around the shrub must be watered and mulched with peat or pine needles, retreating from the base of the plant by 2-3 cm.

How to water and feed

In the climate of the Moscow region, it is worth paying special attention to watering rhododendrons of all varieties. These plants are very moisture-loving in view of their tropical origin, therefore, during the budding period, they should be provided with rain or settled water 8-10 times a month in small portions so that moisture constantly saturates the soil by 20-25 cm, but does not stagnate. An excess of liquid, as well as its lack, can be fatal for any kind of rhododendron, and therefore, it is worth adjusting the watering regime for plants, focusing on precipitation typical of the Moscow region. But, despite the weather conditions, all varieties stop watering by mid-August in order to stop the active growth of shrubs and start preparing them for winter.

Rhododendrons, including varieties growing in the Moscow region, respond well to top dressing, therefore, to ensure healthy growth and lush flowering of shrubs, they should be fertilized periodically. The optimal time for this procedure is the period from early spring to mid-summer, and, in early March, nitrogen fertilizing will bring a lot of benefits, and in June, after exotic varieties have already faded, it will not be superfluous to apply phosphorus and potash fertilizers. A good option for feeding various varieties of shrubs in the Moscow region can be cow dung mixed with water in a ratio of 1:15. The resulting mixture must be allowed to brew for 7 – 10 days, after which it should be watered with rhododendrons at the very base.

Feeding plant varieties is stopped at the beginning of July, so that they have enough time to get out of the active growth phase before the onset of winter.

How to prune rhododendrons

Rhododendrons of any variety hold the crown well enough, as a result of which they do not need decorative pruning. However, some connoisseurs of these plants, who wish to give the shrub a more compact and well-groomed appearance, subject them to a similar procedure after flowering.

In the spring, as a rule, before the start of the growing season, anti-aging pruning is carried out. It consists in removing damaged and weak branches of rhododendrons and shortening last year’s strong shoots. To do this, about half of the branches of a healthy plant are cut with a sharpened pruner, leaving no more than 40 – 45 cm from the base. This will not only improve the growth of varieties, but also make flowering more abundant.

How to cover a rhododendron for the winter in the suburbs

Adult rhododendrons of most winter-hardy varieties growing in the Moscow region practically do not need shelter for the winter, as they can survive at temperatures down to -25 – 35 ° C. However, many growers prefer to take certain protective measures to keep these plants until spring. This is especially true for young rhododendrons up to 2 – 3 years old, which must be sheltered from frost, regardless of the variety.

Shelters for exotic shrubs in an assortment are sold in specialty stores, but they can be built independently at home. So, dwarf shrubs survive the winter without problems under an ordinary cardboard box wrapped with plastic wrap to avoid getting wet. The size of the box should be larger than the plant itself so that the branches do not come into contact with the cardboard, otherwise there is a risk that the rhododendron will freeze. On the sides of the box, holes must be made so that air enters the shrub.

For larger varieties, you can build a small greenhouse for the winter:

1. Before the soil freezes, metal arcs are installed, which will serve as a frame for the greenhouse. In this case, the distance between them should vary from 40 to 45 cm, and between the arc and the crown of the rhododendron there should be a space of 15 – 20 cm.
2. As soon as the temperature is set within -8 – 10 ° C, the arcs are covered with lutrasil or agrotex in 2 – 3 layers.
3. After that, a polyethylene film is additionally placed on the entire structure, since the covering materials tend to pass moisture.

When to open rhododendrons after winter in the Moscow region

Removing shelter from plants after winter should not be in a hurry. The weather of the Moscow region in March is still quite deceptive, and frosts can come to replace the warm spring sun in a matter of hours. Therefore, rhododendrons should be opened no earlier than the beginning of April, focusing on the climatic features of the region.

Shrubs are not immediately released from protective structures. In early April, in warm cloudy weather, they are opened for 5-6 hours for airing. At night, the rhododendrons are closed again, leaving gaps on both sides. In the second half of the month, if the soil has thawed by no less than 20 cm, the shelters are removed completely.

What to do if the rhododendron is frozen

Often, rhododendrons of the Moscow region, even with winter shelter, suffer from frostbite. This happens for various reasons, but almost always this can be avoided with the help of proper plant care. If the trouble has already occurred and the shrub is frozen, you need to immediately begin actions to save the plant:

1. Affected shoots must be pruned to healthy wood. This is true for most varieties, except for small-leaved evergreen rhododendrons, which can regrow without pruning.
2. Spraying the crown with warm water helps well with the addition of Epin at the rate of 10 drops of the substance per 5 liters of water 2-3 times with an interval of 4-5 days.
3. The base of the plant must be watered with a solution of Kornevin or Heteroauxin.
4. Be sure to shade the bush on the south and west sides.
5. The introduction of acidifiers or nitrogen fertilization into the soil will also help bring the rhododendron back to life.

The implementation of these recommendations should have a beneficial effect on the condition of the plant, provided that the root system of the rhododendron has not died. The main thing is not to rush and use all the means at the same time, otherwise it will further undermine the health of the weakened shrub. Before trying out a new method of resuscitation of the affected plant, it is worth waiting 7 to 10 days after the previous one, observing the state of the rhododendron.

When the rhododendron blooms in the suburbs

Frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons, even in the Moscow region, are characterized by abundant flowering, if properly cared for. At the same time, the timing of flowering may vary for different varieties, but most of them form buds from the second half of May or in early June. In the northern regions, this time is somewhat shifted to the middle of the first summer month.

Why rhododendrons do not bloom in the suburbs

If at the right time the plants bred in the Moscow region did not bloom and there is not a single bud on the bushes, the reason lies in the violation of the agricultural technology of rhododendrons:

1. The location of the plant in bright light, and not in partial shade, may affect its development. Such a shrub needs to create shelter from the sun.
2. Flowering of exotic varieties may be absent due to the low acidity of the soil. Fertilizers with the addition of iron or chemical acidifiers will correct the situation.
3. Affects the formation of flowers and insufficiently nutritious soil. Carrying out mandatory dressings will ensure the healthy growth of rhododendron.
4. Regular watering of the plant should not be ignored. Dry soil forces the rhododendron to waste nutrients to support life, which is why its flowering suffers.
5. Sick or pest-affected shrubs also do not have enough energy to bloom, so they need to be treated regularly for diseases as a preventive measure.
6. The decorativeness of the shrub may suffer from crows that feast on flower buds. Shelter made of light material will help get rid of the invasion of birds.

Reproduction

There are many ways to propagate rhododendrons, however, in the conditions of the Moscow region, frost-resistant varieties, bred by cuttings and sowing seeds, take root best of all.

Seed propagation is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. In a pre-prepared substrate of 3 parts of peat soil and 1 part of sand, seeds are planted and sprinkled with sand.
2. Seedlings are covered with glass or cling film.
3. Future plants are placed in a bright, well-ventilated room without direct access to sunlight.
4. As it dries, the soil is irrigated with a spray gun.
5. Every day, seedlings are provided with airing for 2 to 3 hours.
6. As soon as sprouts appear, young rhododendrons are transplanted into a larger container. Greenhouse conditions are maintained during the first year of life, after which the plants are transplanted to a permanent place.

For propagation of winter-hardy varieties of rhododendron by cuttings, you will need:

1. Cut the shoots of healthy two- or three-year-old plants into cuttings 5-8 cm long.
2. Remove all leaves from the bottom edge of the plant material.
3. Dip the cuttings in Kornevin’s solution or another mixture to activate growth for 10-14 hours.
4. Place the shoots in a peat-sand substrate and cover with plastic wrap.
5. Until the rhododendrons take root, it is necessary to maintain the soil temperature in the range of 8 – 14 ° C.
6. With the advent of spring, seedlings can be moved to open ground.

Diseases and pests

Although winter-hardy varieties of rhododendrons that are suitable for growing in the Moscow region are not very susceptible to various pests and diseases, some insects and fungi can cause significant harm to the health of shrubs. Among the most common parasites are the following types:

• shield;
• spider mite;
• rhododendron flies;
• mealybugs.

It is possible to rid exotic varieties of such a scourge with the help of specialized insecticides, which are available in assortment in phyto-pharmacies and gardening stores.

Diseases of rhododendrons are mostly represented by various fungi:

• rust;
• rot;
• spotting.

You can fight these ailments with a solution of copper sulfate. In order to prevent these diseases, they practice spraying plants with Bordeaux liquid in the spring and autumn.

According to reviews, many rhododendrons, regardless of variety, in the Moscow region often suffer from a disease such as chlorosis. It develops in those plants that grow in insufficiently acidic soil. To improve the condition of the affected shrub, oxidizing substances or iron-containing fertilizers, such as ground sulfur or Cytovit, are applied to the soil.

Conclusion

The presented varieties of rhododendrons for the Moscow region with photos and names are distinguished not only by frost resistance, but also by excellent decorative qualities. When following the recommendations for growing, these plants will decorate the site for many years.

Reviews about rhododendrons in the suburbs