Rhododendron schlippenbachii |
Origin: Korea/Manchuria
Zone Range: 4-8
Preferred Situation: Semi sun; humus rich acidic soil; protected non windy sites.
Harvest Date: Friday 23 November, 2007
Description:
A graceful thin limbed deciduous shrub with a natural mounded form rarely exceeding 2 meters in height and spread. In late April/early May, delicate white flowers blushed with shell pink appear at the branch tips perfuming the air with its fragrance. Whorls of lovely obovate leaves emerge after flower drop. Wonderful autumn colours of scarlet, deep red, orange, and golden yellow. Arnold Arboretum notes that this rhodo is more tolerant of 'alkaline' soils than most of its kin, so it will probably do well in a soil pH of 7 or growing near concrete foundations.
Notes:
Considered by many rhodo-philes as a must have species for any open woodland or shady garden setting. Suffers from leaf scorch in full sun. Because of its early flowering, a protected site is preferred to prevent late frosts from marring the blooms. Drought tolerant when established, but a douse of supplimental water during extreme summer drought should given to keep plant happy.
Cultivation:
Traditionally propagated by surface sowing under glass and keeping moist, there are always less bulky, alternate ways of starting Rhododendrons from seed. Generally seed doesn't need any pretreatment. Full a 15 cm deep nursery pot with a sterile medium of equal parts of finely milled peat moss, sand, and loam. Sow thinly! Mix seed with a small amount of sand, evenly disperse seed over the surface of the medium (not too much sand as seed need light to germinate) and tamp firm. Direct sunlight will fry seedlings, an artifical light source is best. Keep moist using fine mist as heavy droplets will dislodge delicate seedling roots; use a plastic cover for greater success. Germinate at 20 C and you should see sprouts emerging within 3 months. When at their 3-4 true leaf stage prick out and transplant seedling. Seedlings cannot tolerate winter temps in their first year so its best to place them in a unheated greenhouse or cold frame. Protect seedlings from nibbling varmits. Seed germinates within 3 months.
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