 PUT THE 'WOW' FACTOR
INTO YOUR GARDEN
Wow! Brilliant whites, pinks, purples and reds – spring flowering Rhododendrons and Azaleas can bring them all to the garden. If you’re serious about putting a real ‘wow factor’ into your garden, then look no further than Rhododendrons and Azaleas. From late autumn to late summer a huge range of different species and varieties are in flower, but for big bursts of flowers, the choice is greatest in spring.
Rhododendrons and Azaleas are part of the same family of plants. Azaleas are a category of smaller-leaved, generally smaller and more ‘twiggy’ shrubs within the Rhododendron family. This is made up of 500-900 species (depending on classification) and is accordingly very diverse. The history of these plants is complex and fascinating, but all that the practical gardener really needs to know is what they need to thrive and put on that really spectacular display of colour.
Acid soil is a must with nearly all of these shrubs, but if you lack this, containers and raised beds can work just as well in providing the necessary conditions. Ideal soils are moist, humus-rich, acid, with good drainage. All Rhododendrons and Azaleas are surface rooting, which means that when planted, soil should just cover the root ball. Maintenance is limited and easy. Cut off dead flowers and stalks soon after flowering as this will stimulate new growth. Otherwise, prune lightly to maintain the desired shape.
As to the choice of species or variety, this depends on the look you wish to create, and what will work in your own garden. Dwarf Rhododendrons, like the Yakushimanum hybrids are ideal for growing in pots, or in smaller gardens. They are very hardy evergreen shrubs, tolerate full sun and produce masses of beautiful blooms. These are generally rose pink in colour, fading to pale pink or white. Look out for Rhododendron ‘Ptarmigan’, also an evergreen. As well as being very free flowering (the clusters of pure white flowers almost appear to smother foliage in spring time) it is drought resistant which is very helpful if growing in containers.
Evergreen Azaleas have just as much to offer and thrive equally well in containers or planted in the ground. A useful feature of the larger varieties of Azaleas is their willingness to grow well in permanent light shade. This feature enables the gardener to use them to bring spring colour to otherwise unproductive or uninteresting corners of the garden. Spring flowering Azaleas produce flowers in almost every colour from the delicate white of ‘Palestrina’ through the vibrant pink of ‘Beethoven’ to the crimson-scarlet blooms of ‘Vuyk’s Scarlet’.
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