Rhododendron Roseum elegans: variety description, planting and care, reproduction with photo

Growing rhododendron Roseum elegans is within the power of even novice plant growers. This luxurious evergreen shrub attracts attention with its bright flowers and pleasant smell. It is unpretentious to growing conditions, able to develop normally even in the shade. In order for the bush to please with its fragrance and elegance for as long as possible, you need to know how to plant it correctly and what care to provide.

View definition

Rhododendron Roseum elegans is a hybrid form that stands out for its excellent decorative characteristics and increased winter hardiness. The plant belongs to the Katevbinsky Rhododendron group, common in North America.

Detailed description

Rhododendron belongs to the Heather family. In total, there are almost 3000 of its varieties, where Roseum elegans is one of its brightest species. In nature, there are creeping shrubs and tall trees (30 meters).

Leaves

A very wide crown is formed at a hemispherical tall bush (3 meters), almost 3.5 meters in diameter. This elegant plant has medium sized leaves, elliptical in shape, dark green but reddish brown at first. The structure is dense, the surface is shiny.

Flowers

Beautiful pink flowers with reddish patches grow quite large in size, they are 7 centimeters in diameter. In shape, they resemble a wide funnel, the edges of the petals are slightly wavy. Roseum elegans rhododendron flowers are formed in dense inflorescences, gathering 15 pieces each.

Kora

The color of the bark on the trunk and branches of an evergreen shrub is dark green.

Root system

The plant has a superficial type of root mass.

Fruit

Rhododendron shrub Roseum elegans forms seed pods.

Temperature

Ornamental plant quite painlessly tolerates frosts down to -32 degrees. He is not afraid of the heat of +30 degrees. But for normal growth and development, he needs a temperature range from -15 degrees to +20 degrees.

History of occurrence

On the creation of a plant resistant to sub-zero temperatures - the Roseum Elegance rhododendron - the English breeder Anthony Water worked hard. Work was carried out in 1851.

Features

The main distinguishing feature of the Roseum elegans rhododendron is its increased resistance to frost and the ability to change the color of leaf plates.

Landing

To obtain the desired result, Roseum elegans rhododendron must initially create comfortable conditions for rooting and vegetation.

Choosing a seat

Considering that the ornamental shrub reaches a height of three meters and prefers to grow in partial shade, choose a clearing for planting it on the north side of the garden. Rhododendron Roseum elegans looks especially impressive near a residential building or along a fence; it can also be used as a hedge or for decorating an alley. But, if possible, then it should be planted near a reservoir.

Soil preparation

For the Roseum elegans rhododendron, the soil with a slightly acidic environment will be the optimal soil. Coniferous litter has a beneficial effect on the underground part of the evergreen shrub.

Pit preparation and planting pattern

Planting seedlings of rhododendron Roseum elegans is recommended in May-April. If you plan to plant several plants, then dig holes should be at a distance of two meters. The dimensions of the pit should be twice the size of the root system of the bush. The soil is required permeable and fertile, consisting of peat, leafy soil and needles.

Algorithm of landing operations:

1. In the hole at the bottom, lay a drainage cushion made of expanded clay, then a layer of soil mixture.
2. Place a seedling of Roseum elegans rhododendron in the center of the pit and spread its roots along the sides.
3. Then sprinkle with soil and gently compact to eliminate voids.
4. The bush is watered, and the top is mulched with peat, pine bark or coniferous litter.

Care

It is not difficult to take care of the Roseum elegans rhododendron, the main thing is to moisten the soil in a timely manner, apply nutrients and prune.

Irrigation

Taking into account the tall rhododendron, the optimal amount of water per planting is 30-50 liters. From time to time, the shrub should be watered with an acidified liquid, using citric acid or lemon juice for this purpose. The sprinkling method has a positive effect on him.

Feeding

Alternately, it is recommended to apply fertilizers of organic origin and mineral complexes under the bush.

Cutting

To maintain the compact size of the crown, given its spreading, it is necessary to prune. This is best done at the end of the flowering phase.

Transfer

If necessary, you can transplant the Roseum elegans rhododendron, but work should be planned for spring or summer. Thanks to the superficial root system, extracting a bush from the ground is quite easy.

Preparing for winter

Despite the high level of winter hardiness, it is still worth covering the shrub for the frosty period. Spunbond, lutrasil are used for these purposes. The material will perfectly protect the twigs from freezing.

Protection from diseases and pests

If you follow the right agricultural practices, then the Roseum elegans rhododendron is practically not in danger. Only with excessive moisture in the soil, increased acidity, the presence of sunburn, the bush begins to hurt, it is affected by fungal diseases. It is possible to fight them only with the help of fungicidal agents.

If the rhododendron suffers from the invasion of snails and slugs, then you need to remove them manually. And against pests such as spider mites, rhododendron bugs, flies and mealybugs, it is effective to use insecticides that do not harm beneficial insects (bees).

Removing faded inflorescences

So that inflorescences that have already faded do not spoil the appearance of the shrub, they should be removed.

Flowering

Decorative planting is very popular among gardeners precisely because of its abundant and long flowering.

When and how

The beginning of the phase of blooming flowers falls on June, lasts about 3 weeks. The shrub impresses with its bright, incredibly beautiful flowers that densely cover its crown.

Care before and after

Before the onset of the flowering stage, it is recommended to moisten the evergreen shrub regularly, as the topsoil dries up. When it is warm outside, spraying should be done. At the end of this stage, all flower stalks must be cut so that the next year's flowering is also luxurious.

What to do if it doesn't bloom

If there is no color, the shrub is recommended to be transplanted to another place.

Reproduction

There are several ways to breed a crop - cuttings, seed and through layering.

Shanks

This vegetative propagation method will require blanks up to 8 centimeters long. They are cut in the second half of June from the apical parts of the branches. The bottom cut must be oblique. Before planting in a soil mixture of sand and peat, they are kept in a growth stimulator solution.

Prepared cuttings are placed in a greenhouse where the temperature is maintained at 25 degrees and a high level of humidity. After three months, roots are formed, and they can be transplanted into personal containers. They need to be kept cool until next year.

Layers

This method of breeding rhododendron is considered the easiest. It is enough to bend the branch to the ground, cut it a little, fix it with a hairpin, a peg and sprinkle it with soil. It should be regularly irrigated throughout the season, transplanting to a new place can only be done the next year.

Use in garden design

It is very advantageous to plant a bush against the background of coniferous plantations. A composition of several varieties of rhododendron looks presentable.

Prevention of various problems

In order to prevent trouble, it is necessary to treat the bushes with Bordeaux liquid in spring and autumn. A competent approach to growing a crop will relieve any ailments in the future.

Reviews

Roseum Elegans has proven itself exclusively on the positive side.

Anna, Saratov

“I planted a rhododendron on my site, and I never cease to admire it. It blooms profusely and requires little care.”

Vladimir, Moscow

“I got a seedling of Roseum elegans, planted it in partial shade. Flowering is bright, long, tolerates winter normally. ”

Aleksey, Volgograd

"The shrub really grows into a lush plant with a pleasant smell. It fits effectively into the flower arrangement on the site.”

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