Rhododendron: planting and care in the Leningrad region, the best varieties and shelter for the winter

Shrubs with spectacular flowers are no longer a rarity in regions with a harsh climate. This became possible thanks to the work of breeders, tirelessly deducing more and more new varieties of winter-hardy plants. Planting and caring for rhododendrons in the Leningrad region is not difficult. All you have to do is choose a hardy variety and give the plants some attention during the season.

Description and features

Rhododendrons are one of the brightest representatives of the heather family. They like to grow in humid climates, for example, in the coastal zone of reservoirs, as well as on the slopes of mountains, as the lower forest layer.Depending on the species and variety, rhododendrons grow as a deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen shrub or tree. Their height ranges from 10 centimeters to 30 meters.

Rhododendrons differ from each other not only in height, but also in the shape of leaves and inflorescences. The color of the buds varies from white and yellow to pink, and even purple hues. In some species of rhododendrons, the flowers have a delicate floral scent. At the end of the vegetative period, fruits are formed, inside of which there are small seeds. The plant attracts bees and is an excellent honey plant.

Additional information. Large-leaved rhododendron was chosen as the state symbol of Washington.

Frost-resistant varieties

Breeders have bred many varieties that can grow in regions with a harsh climate, such as, for example, in the Leningrad region. The most attractive ones are as follows.

Helsinki Universiti

The variety is very popular for pale pink inflorescences with wavy petals. The plant tolerates temperature changes well.

Mikkeli

The leaves of this rhododendron are green, having a silver pile below. The flower is initially pink, gradually becoming completely white.

Pekka

The bush grows 3 meters wide and the same in height. Inflorescences consist of large pink petals. Leaf plates are painted yellow-green.

Peter Tigerstedt

The bush looks impressive due to large, burgundy-speckled, white flowers. Grows straight, branches weakly.

Haaga

This is a plant with large pink racemes of inflorescences. The bush has upright branches that form a rounded crown. Leaves are dark green.

Hellikki

The short-fruited rhododendron of this variety has delicate white or pink inflorescences that bloom in mid-summer. The bush grows up to 2-3 meters, its leathery leaves reach a length of 20 centimeters.

Kullervo

At the stage of budding, the flowers have a red color, during the period of dissolution they change it to white. The crown of the plant is round, the leaves are covered with pile at a young age.

Elviira

Slow growing variety, reaches a height of 50 centimeters. Belongs to the creeping group of rhododendrons. The petals of the plant are dark red.

Pohjola's Daughter

Rhododendron grows up to 1 meter, each purple inflorescence contains up to 10 flowers. The variety withstands frost down to -34 ° С.

Lights series

Rhododendrons of this series are bred in the arboretum of the University of Minnesota. They are ultra-winter-hardy: they can withstand temperatures down to -40 ° C. The most famous varieties: Northen Lights, White Lights, Pink Lights, Rosy Lights.

The value of frost-resistant varieties of rhododendrons is that plants that survived the winter will effectively bloom in the current season, since flower buds are laid at the end of last summer.

Selection and soil preparation

Rhododendrons develop only on acidic soils, so they need to be planted in slightly decomposed high-moor peat. The necessary material is sold in flower shops. If it is not possible to purchase it, you can take litter from under coniferous trees.

But not fresh needles are used, but those that have lain for several years. The best option would be a substrate consisting of sod land, coniferous litter and sand.

Rules and terms of landing in open ground

Planted rhododendron in spring or autumn. If the bush has developed in a container, it can be planted at any time, from April to November. The landing site should be slightly shaded. When placing other plantings next to the rhododendron, one must take into account that it has a superficial root system, and its neighbors can be trees and shrubs with taproots.

Preparing the landing pit

Having chosen a place for planting rhododendrons, the gardener needs to do the following:

• dig a hole of such depth and width that it exceeds 2 times the volume of the root system of the planted plant;
• put material at the bottom of the hole that does not allow moisture to linger at the roots of the bushes (expanded clay, small pebbles, sand);
• fill half the hole with prepared substrate.

After that, the bush is pulled out of the pot and, without breaking the earthen clod, is planted in the middle of the hole. Then it is covered with earth in such a way that the root neck is above the soil surface.

Advice! It is recommended to dig a planting hole 2 weeks before planting the rhododendron so that the soil has time to settle.

Plant pattern

The volume of the planting hole depends on the size of the root system of the seedling. The distance between plantings is selected depending on the bushiness of the variety and ranges from 130 to 180 centimeters. The distance between rhododendrons and tall trees and shrubs is 2-3 meters.

If plants are planted near buildings, the distance between them and the walls is 1.5 meters.

Irrigation

Since rhododendrons are planted in loose soil from which moisture evaporates quickly, they need to be watered frequently. Especially plants need moisture during the laying of flower buds. The water is preliminarily settled and heated, otherwise the roots of the plant may suffer. In dry weather, you need to spray the plants (especially young ones) along the crown.

Feeding

In order for the rhododendron to bloom profusely, it needs to be fed several times a season.

Timing

Begin to feed bushes in early spring with nitrogen fertilizers. They contribute to the growth of green mass. Later, during the summer, they are watered with top dressing with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium. In autumn, rhododendrons grown in the Leningrad region are not fed, as they can grow young shoots that are unable to survive the winter.

Selection and dosage

Urea or s altpeter is used as a nitrogen fertilizer in the spring in the following dosage:

• 1 matchbox substance;
• for 10 liters of water.

5 liters of fertilizer are poured under a young bush, 10 liters under an adult plant. Another feeding option:

• 1 part cow dung;
• mix with 15 parts of water.

During the week, the mixture is infused, then spilled under the root of the plantings. Top dressing is done 1 time in 2 weeks. From mid-June, the bushes are watered with a complex fertilizer with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus according to the instructions.

Pay attention! Before using fertilizer, the root system of rhododendrons must be moistened with water.

Preparing for winter

Despite the frost resistance of many varieties, rhododendrons grown in the Leningrad region must be covered.

Irrigation

By the end of summer, watering is reduced, but before the onset of stable frosts, it resumes again. The procedure is performed for the reason that moisture-saturated roots will more easily endure a frosty winter. If there is heavy precipitation in the form of rain, additional watering is not performed.

Mulching

After abundant watering, the bushes are mulched with bark, walnut shells, cones. Their root system is located widely under the surface of the soil, so a large area of \u200b\u200bthe near-stem circle wakes up with mulch. Shelter layer for young plants - 6-10 centimeters, for adults - 15-20 centimeters.

Setting up the shelter

When frost sets in from -10 °C, rhododendrons are covered with non-woven material folded in 2 layers. To prevent snow from accumulating and breaking young plantings, it is better to install the shelter in the form of a cone or pyramid using a frame of rods.

In case of too much frost, spruce branches are additionally used.

Cutting

In the spring, before the start of sap flow, sanitary pruning of rhododendrons is carried out. At the same time, broken, dried, diseased branches are removed. A sharp pruner is used for the procedure. The places of cuts are smeared with garden pitch.

When forming pruning, unsuccessfully located shoots are removed, weakly developing side branches are shortened. The procedure contributes to the abundant tillering of rhododendrons. You can rejuvenate plants by drastically cutting off all the branches at a height of 30 centimeters from the ground surface.

Methods of reproduction

You can grow a rhododendron in your area in 3 ways: seeds, cuttings, layering.

Seeds

To grow seedlings, follow these steps:

• put drainage at the bottom of the landing container;
• pour self-prepared substrate or soil for azaleas purchased from a flower shop from above;
• spread the seeds over the surface, sprinkle them with sand;
• cover the structure with plastic wrap or glass.

Seedling care consists of watering as needed, airing the mini-greenhouse. When the first sprouts hatch, the shelter is removed.

Shanks

Propagation by cuttings is as follows:

• stems are cut into pieces of 5-8 centimeters;
• lower leaves are cut off;
• the lower parts of the sections are placed in a growth stimulant solution for 12-16 hours;
• rhododendron cuttings are planted in boxes with a peat-sand mixture;
• planting box with stems is covered with foil.

When roots and young shoots form on the cuttings, they are transplanted into separate containers. In the fourth year of life, seedlings are transferred to open ground.

Layers

Reproduction of rhododendron by layering step by step:

1. In the spring, bend the lower shoots to the ground, secure the points of contact with hairpins or bent wire.
2. Sprinkle soil on top, water.
3. Tie the upper part of the layering to the support.
4. For the winter, cover the place of pinning with mulch and spruce branches.
5. When the layer takes root, separate it from the mother plant and plant separately in a shady place.

After 2 years, the grown plant is transplanted to a permanent place.

Protection from diseases and pests

When waterlogged, rhododendrons can be affected by rot. To prevent diseases in the spring, plants are sprayed with copper-containing preparations. Affected bushes are sprayed with fungicides. If the rhododendrons are too affected by rot, they are dug up and burned.

Plantings can be chosen by insects: spider mites, whiteflies, false shields, thrips. Insecticides and acaricides are used to control pests. Gastropods are killed with molluscicides or harvested by hand.

Important! When working with chemicals, gloves, goggles and a respirator must be used.

Landscape Design Ideas

Beautiful flowering shrubs blend with many green spaces. For example, they will look spectacular next to conifers. Tall varieties are planted as a background for shorter ornamental deciduous shrubs. A single growing bush against the background of a lawn will also look beautiful.

Reviews

According to gardeners, rhododendrons in the Leningrad region can grow and bloom safely, you just need to choose frost-resistant varieties. Properly selected planting site and careful care during the season - these are the conditions under which plants will grow for a long time in the same place, delighting those around them with their spectacular flowering.

Olga Ivanovna, Svetogorsk

"I am a beginner gardener. I didn’t know that rhododendrons needed to be covered for the winter, and in the first year several branches froze. The following year, carefully covered the whole plant. The rhododendron survived, by the end of the summer I already had a beautiful, overgrown bush. ”

Elena, Vyborg

“I got 3 rhododendron bushes. One of them died. Most likely because I planted it in the wrong place. The area where this bush grew was strongly blown by the wind. The rest of the plants were protected from the north by the wall of the building, so they developed well over the summer.”

Recommended