Description and characteristics of rhododendron variety Hague, planting and care

There are a large number of evergreen bushes valued for their flowers. However, in harsh climatic conditions, not any of them is able to survive the local winter. Therefore, Russian gardeners appreciated the Hague variety rhododendron. Compared to its fellows, it pleases connoisseurs with its high frost resistance and ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures in an open space without losing its ability to flower.

Brief Definition

Rhododendron Hague is a hybrid species of evergreen rhododendron. It was bred in Finland through experiments with the Vereskov family.

Detailed description

Rhododendron Hague belongs to evergreen shrubs with a spherical dense crown and dense branches. It can bloom in the sun, in a shaded place, for a period of 2-3 weeks towards the end of May or in June. The flowers are collected in inflorescences; in connection with the development of new varieties, the only common feature can be called a wavy edge and grouping in inflorescences of 17-20 flowers. The buds of rhododendron are red, the foliage is dark, dense and glossy, up to 13-15 centimeters.

History of origin

The breeding of the Hague rhododendron is attributed to Finland, and the date given is 1974, the time of breeding by the University of Helsinki during the rhododendron breeding program. The hybrid originated from the Katevbinsky rhododendron and is its short-fruited variety. In turn, today The Hague has more than 80 varieties.

Distinctive features

Finnish rhododendron varieties were adapted to the climatic conditions of the selection site. That is, they have a very high resistance to cold, which makes it actually possible to keep a tropical flower in the northern region.

Landing

Rhododendron Hague is a variety that is resistant to many unfavorable conditions, including its planting, which is mainly dependent on the acidity of the soil and the level of air humidity. But for better growth, a number of recommendations should be taken into account.

Selecting a location

Rhododendron adapts well to both sun and shaded areas. But in the first case, he needs protective shelters from direct rays of the sun. Despite its frost resistance, it is better to protect it from drafts. The plant loves moist air, so the best option would be to plant it on the shore of a pond or other body of water..

Soil preparation

The soil for planting should be loose and acidic. The ideal composition is:

• drainage base;
• 1 part of turf land;
• 1 part coarse sand;
• 3 parts peat;
• 2 parts heather soil.

Pit preparation and planting scheme

A hole is prepared 40-45 centimeters deep and ten centimeters wider. The drainage is filled to 10-15 cm, then the place is filled with soil mixture and compacted. A seedling is placed in the recess, covered with substrate up to the root collar and watered abundantly. Mulching (5-6 centimeters thick) with a combination of rotted pine needles, moss, peat, leaves and pieces of oak bark will be beneficial.

Features of care

There are no difficulties in maintaining the Hague rhododendron. It adapts well to new conditions compared to related species. If you follow the rules of watering and fertilizing, the plant will be healthy and bloom well.

Watering

Winter and autumn watering of rhododendron is carried out only on dry days, but in summer the bush requires irrigation and spraying every day. In this case, settled cool water or (ideally) rain water is suitable. It is recommended to sometimes diversify the watering with a solution of sphagnum peat. To do this, it is soaked in small quantities in water for a day.

Top dressing

You should start feeding the plant immediately after planting the bush, and fertilize it throughout the flowering period. For acidification purposes, water is diluted with ammonium, calcium and superphosphate. At the beginning of spring, it is worth adding 4-5 grams of magnesium sulfate per 10 liters of water to fertilize with nitrogen. By mid-summer, fertilizing rhododendron costs half as much.

Trimming

A mature bush is rejuvenated by pruning a third of old and damaged branches and upper well-developed shoots. Treat the cuts with garden varnish in the spring.
A month later, the buds begin to awaken and new shoots begin to grow intensively.

Transfer

The period for transplanting to a new place should also be chosen in the spring, choosing the moment between two flowerings. At this time, the plant is unpretentious, adapts quickly, and transshipment will not cause problems.

Substrate composition:

• 40 grams of sulfur;
• 1 part sand;
• 1 part sawdust;
• 2 parts acid peat.

Bloom

Rhododendron is valued precisely as a flower bush that blooms well even after a harsh winter. The flowers themselves, with reddish freckles and wavy petals, form an inflorescence in a group of 17-20 pieces. The shade, depending on the variety/subvariety of the plant, varies from salmon and pink to purple and red.

Peculiarities

Blooms in large quantities, pyramidally or forming a round crown. This starts quite early. Flowering duration is 3 weeks on average, from May to June.

How to care before and after

It is necessary to collect wilted inflorescences and flowers from the rhododendron so that it does not waste nutrients. During the formation of buds, the temperature should be approximately 10-15 degrees; during the immediate flowering period, you can increase it by another five. It is also necessary to ensure regular watering with good lighting.

If no buds appear

There are three possible reasons that can inhibit the development and flowering of rhododendron. First, you need to check for garden pests. If they are not there, the flower may lack minerals or moisture.It is necessary to provide additional fertilizing and try to increase watering. In summer, it is recommended to spray the plant every day.

Reproduction

Reproduction of the Hague variety, as well as other types of rhododendron, is possible both by seeds and vegetatively (cuttings, layering).

The seed method is usually used for wild varieties. Planting is done in bowls (if there are large quantities - in boxes), which are covered with clean sand and watered with either melted water, rain or well-settled water, acidifying the soil with oxalic acid. After the sprouts emerge, it is advisable to move them to a cooler place, 10-12 degrees, so the seedlings get sick less. Rhododendron grown from seed blooms in the 5-10th year of life.

Woody shoots of 7-8 centimeters are cultivated in similar conditions, only protected with glass or film and on a base of peat soil. It takes root within 2-3 weeks, and a plant grown from cuttings can bloom within a year.

Young plants should be planted outdoors directly in boxes..

Use in design

Fits harmoniously into the company of other rhododendrons, especially those with orange flowers. Looks good on a green lawn, shaded by juniper, thuja, and pine trees.

Preventing problems

Rhododendron Hague is not the most demanding plant to care for outside the flowering period, and organizing the prevention of problems is quite simple. In late autumn and early spring, it is recommended to treat it with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate in lime milk).

If you water too hard, the plant becomes infected with a fungus (signs include incorrect pigmentation of leaves, rust and chlorosis). It is necessary to reduce the amount of water.Rotting shoots that arise for the same reason are also immediately removed. Treatment with iron chelate solves the problem of yellowing leaves.

Not a single plant is immune from pests. Rhododendron Hague, for example, is often attacked by snails and slugs. It is not particularly difficult to neutralize them; you need to pick them out manually. If a bush is attacked by a weevil, then the surrounding substrate, branches and leaves are treated with a Diazonin solution.

In the case of spider mites and a specific pest of the rhododendron bug, spraying with fungicides (for example, an 8% solution of Karbofos) will save the situation.

Reviews

Khmelkovskaya Miroslava Vasilyevna, 38 years old: “I have a rhododendron variety called Hague growing. I planted it last year. For the winter, she made him a hut as a shelter. Last weekend I was at the dacha. The Hague rhododendron overwintered well: the buds did not fall off, no spots were visible on the leaves, the leaves rose and straightened.”

Polyakova Svetlana Stepanovna, 55 years old: “Incredible beauty of the Hague rhododendron! I concluded that it is good to mulch with pine needles. This variety really meets all the characteristics declared by the selectors, both in terms of care and in terms of abundant flowering.”

Conclusion

Taking all factors into account, Hague rhododendron can rightfully be called a very unpretentious and hardy variety. With proper care and minimal costs, it will thank the owner with lush flowering and contribute to the beauty of the garden.