Description and characteristics of subvarieties of rhododendron Rasputin, planting and care

Among flowering shrubs, the Rasputin rhododendron has no equal in beauty and attractiveness. This evergreen plant will decorate the area near the house thanks to its large flowers, the range of which varies from delicate purple to deep lilac. It is important to know all the rules of planting and care, as well as other useful information about this luxurious shrub.

Brief Definition

Rhododendron Rasputin belongs to the hybrid varieties of evergreen shrubs from the Heather family. It is distributed in the Caucasus, Himalayas, North America and China.

Detailed description

This variety of rhododendron has a bright and attractive appearance. An evergreen shrub with strong, straight stems has an average height of one and a half meters.

Rhododendron Rasputin flowers, quite large in size, are presented in dense inflorescences. They harmoniously combine a delicate purple hue with dark purple or crimson splashes on the upper petals. The flowering period begins during the transition period from spring to summer.

Large leaves are characterized by an oblong shape, dense texture with shine. They reach 12-15 centimeters in length. The color is dark on the outside and light on the bottom. Before wintering they turn brown.

The fruits ripen by autumn. They look like light brown boxes filled with small seeds. The root of the bush is compact in size and comes to the surface.

History of origin

Rhododendron Rasputin and other hybrid varieties of evergreen rhododendrons were developed in the 20th century as a result of the work of breeders.

Distinctive features

This type of rhododendron stands out for its darkest and deepest colors. The bush is characterized by spreading, free growth. Flowers appear on it every year in large numbers and last a long time. This variety is unpretentious and can grow even in alkaline soil conditions. The frost resistance of each subspecies varies.

Sub-varieties

Each subvarietal has unique features and advantages.

Boleslav the Brave

This variety received its name in honor of the son of the Polish king Mieszko. It has a truly royal appearance - with a dense, strong crown and abundant flowering. It reaches a height of 1.5 meters and a width of 1 meter.

The plant has dense leaves with an oblong convex shape. Large dark purple flowers are decorated with an expressive yellow pattern. Each inflorescence contains approximately 10-12 flowers. Boleslav the Brave blooms twice a year - at the end of May and then at the end of summer.

This is the most frost-resistant specimen among the subspecies of the Rasputin rhododendron. Without needing special shelter, it can easily withstand frosts down to -30-35 °C.

Azurika

Azurik's bush is not tall - usually no more than half a meter. However, its dense crown can grow up to one meter wide. The flowers have a very beautiful dark blue-violet hue. The leaves are characterized by a bluish color and miniature size - no more than 1.5-2 centimeters in length. It blooms twice annually - in May and August.

This shrub has good frost-resistant properties, but it is necessary to mulch the soil first.

Gristede

The Grishtede subvariety is distinguished by its pale lilac color with a slight bluish tint. The dark green leaves are small in size and oblong in shape, have a dense structure and a shiny surface. This evergreen shrub has a compact and dense crown.

The flowering period begins in summer. Grishtede's flowers are small but numerous. This subvariety has average frost resistance, which is why it needs soil mulching and additional shelter.

Landing

In order for the Rasputin rhododendron to strengthen well and grow, it is important to choose the right place and prepare the soil, as well as follow a certain planting pattern.

Selecting a location

The ideal place for planting Rasputin rhododendron is quiet, semi-shaded and protected from drafts. The shrub feels very comfortable under high hedges and coniferous trees.

Too shaded places should be avoided, since the flowering period of the bush will be somewhat delayed, and the flowers themselves will not be large and dense enough.

Planting in a sunny place is also acceptable, but in this case more intensive watering is required. Stagnation of moisture is detrimental to shrubs, so water flow must be formed in advance.

Soil preparation

Mandatory soil requirements for rhododendron are comfortable humidity, good drainage and a sufficient amount of fertilizer. Moreover, it can be either acidic or neutral. The optimal soil is one consisting of equal parts of high acidic peat, loam (garden soil) and pine litter.

Pit preparation and planting scheme

When starting to plant, you need to immerse the container with the seedling in water for 20 minutes to soak thoroughly. At this time, you can start digging a hole - its depth should be 50-60 centimeters.

Next you need to proceed according to this scheme:

1. Place a drainage layer consisting of sawdust, pebbles and crushed stone at the bottom of the hole.
2. Pour half of the prepared soil into a heap.
3. Carefully straighten the roots of the bush and place it strictly vertically in the hole.
4. Pour the rest of the soil up to the root collar.
5. Lightly compact the substrate.
6. Water the seedling generously.
7. Make a 5-centimeter layer of mulch from pine needles and sawdust.

Planted bushes must be protected from direct sunlight.

Care

In order for the Rasputin rhododendron to grow beautiful and healthy, you need to properly care for it, provide regular watering and add nutritious mineral supplements.

Watering

The abundance and frequency of watering depends on the time of year.

In the summer heat, the Rasputin rhododendron should be watered regularly, but moderately. Each bush requires 1 bucket of water 1-2 times a week. In conditions of maximum heat, the plant must additionally be sprayed daily.

Before the onset of the first winter frosts, the shrub needs abundant watering. In winter, this procedure must be reduced and carried out exclusively in dry weather.

Top dressing

Rhododendron needs mineral supplements. Well-rotted manure is an affordable alternative. Do not use any fertilizers that contain chlorine or lime.

Trimming

To ensure that future shoots of rhododendron can fully develop, you need to regularly cut off dry flowers. At the end of the flowering period, damaged and dried stems are pruned for sanitary purposes. And excess rhizome growth must be removed in June.

Transfer

Shrub transplantation is carried out at the end of March or beginning of April. It is recommended to do this at least three weeks before flowering. In order for the bush to take root better, it is necessary to remove all the buds in the first year after transplantation, since the plant may weaken under the load of abundant flowering.

Protection from diseases and pests

The most common problems with rhododendron are mites, bugs and fungus. There are different ways to protect against each of these phenomena.

Fungal infections are a consequence of excessive watering and stagnant water. Thorough cleaning of the bush from damaged leaves and shoots, followed by spraying with Bordeaux mixture, will help get rid of the disease. Bedbugs and ticks can be collected manually or sprayed with a soap and tobacco mixture.

If a shrub is affected by spider mites, first of all, you need to carefully cut off the areas with the greatest damage, and then treat them with Karbofos or a soap solution.

Preparing for winter

Rhododendron Rasputin has good frost resistance, but it also could use additional shelter for the winter. You can use regular burlap or pine spruce branches.

Bloom

To ensure abundant flowering, take into account the following features of rhododendron.

Timing and features

The shrub is characterized by very dense, lush and abundant flowering, which begins around May-June. Rhododendron Rasputin flowers are large with beautiful and expressive purple hues.

Care before and after

During the period of formation of buds and buds, it is necessary to ensure an optimal regime - the air temperature should not exceed 15 degrees. During flowering, the shrub needs abundant watering and sufficient lighting. Upon completion of flowering, fading inflorescences should be immediately trimmed.

If no buds appear

If there are no buds, it is necessary to carefully examine the bush for diseases or pests that create a barrier to flowering.

It can also be caused by a lack of moisture or minerals in the soil. In the first case, it is necessary to adjust the frequency and intensity of watering, and in the second, fertilize with superphosphate.

Reproduction

Reproduction of rhododendron Rasputin is carried out in August by cuttings.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. From young upper shoots, cut cuttings up to 5-7 centimeters long.
2. Remove buds and leaves.
3. At the bottom of the cutting, cut off the bark and treat with a substance that stimulates root growth.
4. Bury the cutting 2 centimeters into the soil.
5. Press the substrate tightly to the side.
6. Moisten the soil.
7. Cover the seedlings with film and place in a shaded place.
8. Ensure the air temperature does not exceed 8 °C and ventilate the room 2-3 times every day.

After a month, under such conditions, the seedlings will take root. They can be transplanted into open ground after wintering.

Use in landscape design

Rhododendron Rasputin is often found in parks, gardens, and central alleys. Both in single and combined plantings this is a true natural decoration.

It looks very impressive in landscape compositions in combination with other varieties of evergreen rhododendrons - in particular, Caucasian, Zolotisty and Daurian.

Preventing problems

To reduce the likelihood of problems with shrubs, simple preventive measures must be followed.

To prevent rotting and fungal infections, you should spray the bush with a solution of Fundazol or preparations containing copper twice a season.

Yellowing of the leaves indicates a decrease in soil acidity. You need to add a special acidifier to the water for irrigation. Since this plant has a shallow root system, you need to carefully loosen the soil while weeding so as not to accidentally damage the root.

Reviews

Karina: “Among the subspecies of the Rasputin rhododendron, I was attracted by Azurika. The bushes are relatively low, making them suitable for alpine gardens. I decided not to combine them with other shrubs and flowers, but simply decorated the surrounding space with oval stones. It turned out to be a wonderful place to relax.”

Valentina: “Near my house there is an alley of rhododendrons.For this I chose Boleslav the Brave - the tallest and most frost-resistant subspecies of the Rasputin rhododendron. I really like the unpretentiousness of these shrubs and ease of care.”