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NATIVE RHODODENDRON AZALEA 'ENGLISH ROSEUM' LAVENDER LIGHT PINK BLOOMS EVERGREEN Zone 5
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Rhododendron maximum, Rosebay Rhododendron
- We have three forms of Maximum Rhododendron: Roseum Maximum-blooms white to light pinkish purple, English Roseum-blooms lavender to pink, and Roseum Elegans-blooms darker purple than English.
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The species range extends from New York State and New England southward to northern Georgia and Alabama, principally in the mountain systems that comprise the Appalachian chain. Although hardy in eastern Canadian gardens, Rhododendron maximum does not penetrate naturally into Canada. While there are historical accounts from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, none of them, to my knowledge, have been authenticated.
In its native range, rosebay rhododendron (also known as great-laurel or great rhododendron) thrives along cool, moist streams in the shade of hemlocks and a rich myriad of hardwoods.
- More rarely, it will mix with other rhododendron species on moist, exposed, high elevation sites where the resultant vegetation community is known as a 'heath bald'.
The smooth leaves (among the largest of eastern rhododendron species at 20-25 centimetres or eight inches long) are arranged in a whorl at the end of each branch. As a broadleaf evergreen, its leaves remain year round. Among rhododendron species its leaves are the first to droop and curl up tightly when the temperature drops below 0C (32F), a strategy to prevent moisture loss in the leaf tissue.
- It is very shade-tolerant and can survive and even flower (lightly) under the canopies of many forest species. It looks its best in partial sun along the edge of a woodland garden, although exposures to strong sun at mid-day in summer and strong late-winter sun are best avoided, especially in northern climates where the ground can freeze for six or more weeks. Exposure to late winter sun will significantly warm the leaves, causing moisture loss, and when the roots are frozen, the plant is robbed of its ability to replenish moisture to its leaves. This explains why rhododendrons in northern gardens are more frequently killed by winter desiccation than the absolute low temperatures they experience. In cold climates, artificial shading in winter from southern exposures can make a big difference in rhododendron survival.
- The flowers are subtle ranging from faint pink (almost white) to almost lavender depending on the eye of the beholder. The color is always darker in the buds just prior to opening. While most rhododendrons flower in spring or early summer in advance of stem and leaf development, the flowers of rosebay rhododendrons open in mid- to late July, with the result that they are somewhat hidden among the newly expanded vegetative growth.
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Rhododendron maximum is a member of the diverse heath family, Ericaceae, and has similar cultural requirements to others in this group. Acidic soil rich in leafy organic matter (especially decayed oak and pine needles) is best. A layer of leaf litter in winter is important to minimize the number of freeze/thaw cycles that can damage the fine shallow root mass. Rhododendrons hate having the soil worked around their base as this damages the fine rootlets. In the wild, rosebay rhododendrons prefer the slopes adjacent to mountain streams, but they do not appreciate getting soggy wet feet.
- Good drainage is important. That said, if planted under or among other trees and shrubs (especially maples), R. maximum will need supplemental watering during dry spells to successfully compete with the established and often aggressive root systems of the larger trees. Transplanting in spring is optimal. If the plant is container-grown, loosen up the soil ball slightly and soak it for a couple of hours before planting to ensure that the plant is fully hydrated.
Although at home in a woodland setting, rosebay rhododendron can also grace the shrub-border, adding texture year-round. And, despite its potential to achieve substantial sizes in the wild, it rarely exceeds two to three metres (six to 10 feet) in cultivation. This may make it the ideal choice for the gardener who has been too intimidated to try a broad-leaved evergreen rhododendron, especially in northern growing zones. The challenge is finding R. maximum in nurseries. It has never found favour with landscaping enthusiasts because it lacks the flower profusion of its cousins such as R. catawbiense. R. maximum can most reliably be found in specialty nurseries featuring native plants
- Zone 5
Plants are shipped out on Mondays,Tuesdays,Wednesdays, and sometimes Saturdays...
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