Description and characteristics of 16 subvarieties of Yakushimansky rhododendron, planting and care

Rhododendron (azalea) Yakushimansky - a beautiful shrub brought to Europe from Japan a hundred years ago, has won the hearts of gardeners in our country. The evergreen plant reaches a maximum height of 1.5 meters. The shrub has taken root well in Russia, as it can withstand frosts down to -29 ⁰C. Breeders are actively experimenting with the Yakushiman rhododendron, actively crossing it with other species.

Brief Definition

Yakushiman rhododendron is a tree-like shrub with large original flowers with a diameter of 7 centimeters.

Detailed description

Yakushiman azalea is a natural form of Rhododendron Degron.

Characteristics of the type:

• The leaves are dark green, narrow, glossy.
• The flowers are large, collected in inflorescences.
• Slow-growing bush up to 1.5 meters high.
• The stems of the plant are tree-like.
• The root system is superficial.
• Flowering continues from May to June.

Rhododendrons are classified as poisonous plants. Toxic resin forms on the leaves. If the sticky substance remains on your hands or gets into the oral cavity, then poisoning cannot be avoided. All work with rhododendrons must be carried out with gloves. Animals and children are in a high-risk zone; it is better not to let them near the Japanese azalea bushes.

History of origin

The small Japanese island of Yakushima is the birthplace of the Yakushiman rhododendron, where it grows in the mountains and highlands. The path to Europe began at the beginning of the 20th century; in 1934, the shrub was brought to Great Britain, then quickly spread throughout the continent, gaining popularity in Russia.

Distinctive features

Yakushiman rhododendron can decorate any landscape.It differs from its counterparts in a number of features:

• Extended flowering period.
• Undemanding to soil, can grow among stones.
• Frost resistance and winter hardiness.
• Does not tolerate direct sunlight; partial shade and regular abundant watering are required.

The leaves do not fall off in the winter; the shrub is an evergreen species.

Important! When planting, do not fill the root collar with soil; the process of rotting of the root system may begin..

Sub-varieties

Varietal diversity is represented by various hybrids of Yakushimansky rhododendron. In order not to be disappointed in the plant, they buy seed and seedlings from trusted retail outlets from certified manufacturers.

Kalinka

Spreading spherical bush up to 1 meter high. Produces flowers of a rich classic pink color with a border at the edges of the petals. Frost-resistant variety, prefers partial shade and fertile chernozem soils.

Percy Weissman

A hybrid rhododendron with flowers of a luxurious salmon pink color. It is characterized by increased frost resistance, able to withstand frosts down to -30 ⁰C. In inflorescences it forms up to 12 flowers with a diameter of 6 centimeters.

Marrakesh

Spreading bush up to 70 centimeters high. The leaves are elliptical, glossy, dark green in color. White-pink flowers are collected in gorgeous inflorescences. Forms a columnar shape.

Fantastic

Ideal for temperate climates, characterized by increased winter hardiness, withstands frosts down to -30 ⁰C. Forms flowers of rich pink color along the edges, with a delicate pink center inside, collected in inflorescences of 12 pieces.

Schneekrone

Forms a compact bush of regular shape. The soft pink buds, when blooming, turn into a snow-white flower with charming pink freckles inside.The height of the bush is up to 1 meter. Winter hardiness is average.

Golden Torch

Forms 15 inflorescences on one bush. The flowers are a warm, soft white color. The bush is less than 1 meter high, has poor winter hardiness, and needs additional shelter for the winter season.

Bluretta

It has a slow growth rate compared to other rhododendrons. Winter hardiness is weak. Forms flowers in the shape of bells, collected in inflorescences. The edges of the petals are corrugated, the color is rich pink.

Mist Maiden

A spherical, slow-growing bush designed to decorate the territories of summer cottages and personal plots. The flowers are large, soft pink, gradually turning white. Has high winter hardiness.

Caroline Albrook

English variety. Blooms profusely from May to late June. Forms large flowers of an original lilac color with golden-brown patterns inside. The bush is spherical in shape, up to 120 centimeters high. Frost resistance is good, can withstand air temperatures down to -25 in winter ⁰WITH.

Emanuela

An evergreen shrub that grows strongly in width and can reach a height of 2 meters. Winter hardiness is average, needs additional shelter for the winter. Produces contrasting flowers of a delicate pink hue with bright pink fringe along the edges of the petals.

Lumina

A spherical bush less than 1 meter high, with large lilac-pink flowers. Frost resistance is average, flowering duration is 3 weeks. The leaves are dark green, elongated, matte.

Doc

The hybrid variety of rhododendron Yakushimansky forms a medium-sized shrub with a spherical shape. The flowers resemble lilies of the original purple color. Prefers partial shade, does not tolerate stagnant moisture and clay soils.

Mix

Mediterranean species, does not tolerate temperature changes, prolonged cold snaps, or frosts. The flowers are not large, bright pink. Suitable for indoor growing.

Silver lady

An evergreen shrub with slightly arched leaves. Forms delicate white flowers with a pink tint. Winter hardiness is average. The bush begins to bloom profusely at a young age. The height of an adult shrub is less than 1 meter.

Isadora

A rare variety with large pink flowers reminiscent of lilies. The leaves are dark green on the top of the leaf blade and brown on the reverse side. Prefers partial shade and does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Hummingbird

A spherical compact bush 80 centimeters high. Inflorescences are delicate pink. Looks great in alpine slides and single plantings. Frost resistance is average, requires shelter for the winter.

Growing

The success of its cultivation depends on the correctly selected variety of rhododendron. Zoned varieties with good winter hardiness are suitable for temperate latitudes.

Selection of location and soil

All types of azaleas do not tolerate marshy soils, but prefer to grow in partial shade. Important! Direct sunlight falling on the shrub for a long time can destroy the plant..

The site must be protected from drafts and located on a plain. The soil for rhododendron should be slightly acidic and rich in nutrients. Expanded clay and sand are placed at the bottom of the dug hole.

Planting

The optimal time for planting Yakushiman rhododendron seedlings is the end of April. The soil temperature should be more than +10 ⁰C. Azaleas are often planted as individual bushes, group plantings look impressive, and you can create hedges.

Temperature

Yakushiman rhododendron is a heat-loving plant; most varieties require shelter for the winter. There is no need to rush into planting bushes in open ground in early spring. The threat of frost should pass and the soil should warm up.

Watering

Plants must be sprayed and watered regularly and abundantly, about 2-3 times a week. Do not allow the soil to dry out and form a hard lump of earth in the root system. The optimal time for watering is morning and evening hours.

Top dressing

Rhododendrons do not need heavy fertilizing with organic fertilizers; special mineral complexes for azaleas can be used. Fertilizing is applied in three stages:

• before flowering;
• after flowering;
• at the beginning of autumn.

It is important to choose the right dosage; experienced gardeners often dilute mineral complexes with water in a 2:1 ratio. The bushes that awaken at the beginning of spring are sprinkled with wood ash.

Trimming

Shrubs are pruned in rare cases, mainly to correct the shape of the plant and remove dead stems and branches. After flowering ends, the flowering stems are removed so that they do not spoil the appearance of the bush and do not take away the strength of the plant.

Transfer

Rhododendrons easily survive transplantation if it is done in early spring or autumn. It is important not to damage the delicate root system of the plant. The bush is dug up along with a lump of earth and transplanted to a new location. It is best to transplant in the evening or in cloudy weather.

Wintering

There are varieties with increased winter hardiness that can survive frosts of -30 ⁰S. But, according to the experience of gardeners, it is recommended to cover the bushes for the winter. Spruce spruce branches and special covering materials are used to protect plants.The foliage is left on the rhododendron; it serves as additional shelter.

How to propagate

It is not difficult to propagate rhododendron in your own area; each gardener chooses the most comfortable method for himself.

Division

Combined with the transplantation process. The bush is dug out of the ground, trying not to damage the root system. One bush can be divided into 2-3 new young plants. After 2-3 years, rhododendron will delight gardeners with its first beautiful flowers.

Seminal

Planting material in the form of seeds can be purchased at a specialized store. Planting is carried out in seedling boxes in mid-February, maintaining the distance between sprouts according to the recommendations for each variety. The box is covered with film, after 7-10 days the first shoots appear.

In April-May, young bushes are planted in a garden bed “for children” or a place on an alpine hill is immediately chosen; next year the bushes can be planted in permanent places.

Cuttings

Rhododendron has tree-like stems. To propagate a plant by cuttings, it is necessary to cut a small branch from the bush, 5-8 centimeters long, and it must have at least 3 internodes. The cuttings are planted in a pot with prepared soil and covered with a glass jar, placed on a warm windowsill. After 20-30 days, the first leaves will appear on the planted stem.

Reproduction by layering

In early spring, a strong lower branch of the bush is leaned against the ground, cut, and covered with earth. By mid-summer, the cuttings will take root and sprouts will appear on it. They can be carefully dug up and transplanted to a permanent place.

Bloom

The flowering period of the Yakushiman rhododendron is on average 3 weeks. The shrub produces buds in early May and blooms until mid-late June.During the period of bud set, the shrub must be fed, and after flowering ends, the flowering stems must be removed.

All types of azaleas look great without flowers; the leafy appearance of the plant has high decorative characteristics.

Diseases and pests

Like any shrub, rhododendron is susceptible to attacks by pests and diseases. As a rule, illnesses arise due to improper care of the plant or the chosen place for growth.

Fungal diseases

Infectious fungal diseases occur due to outbreaks of epidemics on other plants, excessive watering or overfeeding with fertilizers. Of the fungal diseases for rhododendrons, the greatest danger is:

• gray rot;
• late blight;
• Fusarium

It is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of plants against these diseases. It is important to choose the right predecessors and neighbors and follow the rules of crop rotation.

Spider mite

A parasitic insect that feeds on the juices of the affected plant. The shrub loses its decorative appearance, the leaves turn gray and become covered with white cobwebs and fall off. As a preventive treatment against spider mites, spraying the plant with Keltana emulsion or Bordeaux mixture is used.

Rhododendron bugs and flies

The plant is completely deprived of foliage. The first signs of the disease are yellow dots on the leaves - these are insect larvae. At this point, it is important to treat the shrubs with Diazinon. It is recommended to repeat it after a month.

Thrips and aphids

When these insects attack, the buds suffer, many fewer flowers are produced, they have ugly shapes, and some of the unopened flowers fall off. You can see thrips and aphids when colonies of these parasites have already formed on the bush.The only possible way to save the plant is to treat it with insecticides.

Use in landscape design

Rhododendrons have been used in landscape design for decades. A shrub with beautiful foliage, completely covered with flowers in spring and summer, is an extraordinary sight. Designers use different methods of planting, using different combinations.

Single landings

Planting a single rhododendron is used in landscape design to make a bright accent on a site or to diversify an alpine hill. As a rule, spherical shapes or rhododendrons with a spreading powerful crown are used. Creeping varieties are used to decorate alpine slides.

Japanese gardens

To create a Japanese garden, several types and varieties of azaleas with different periods of bud set and flowering are used. It is difficult to imagine a Japanese garden without the Yakushiman rhododendron shrub. For a greater decorative effect, Japanese bushes are planted against the backdrop of other large-leaved trees, such as magnolias.

Garden compositions

Garden compositions are assembled according to the principle of alpine slides. Combinations are selected so that after one bush has finished flowering, another bush or flower begins to form buds and bloom. It is important to create the effect of continuous flowering with various changing accents.

Group plantings

Used for decorating paths, recreation areas, park staircases. Group plantings look impressive when decorating public gardens and in urban landscape design. By planting several types of azaleas on your site, you can create and design a recreation area by placing the plantings next to benches or swings.

Prevention of various problems

Rhododendrons are quite delicate plants, they do not need heavy feeding, but they are demanding on the watering system and require comprehensive preparation for the winter period. At every stage of plant growth, the gardener may encounter difficulties.

Falling buds

The shrub may drop its buds and not bloom. As a rule, this problem occurs due to lack of moisture and irregular watering. If the bush is planted in a place where winds constantly blow, then this moment will also be reflected in the number of flowers the plant has.

Thrips and aphids are possible causes of bud drop. It is necessary to treat with insecticides.

Weak flowering

If you are feeling well and properly cared for in early spring, rhododendron bushes should be strewn with fragrant, bright flowers. If this does not happen, then the reason may be a lack of nutrients. Before flowering, it is recommended to feed the azalea with a special mineral complex.

Slow growth

Rhododendrons are slow-growing shrubs. But sometimes it feels like the bush is not growing at all, the leaves are withering, the flowers are falling off. This negative phenomenon may indicate stagnation of moisture at the roots and waterlogging of the plant. When planting azaleas at the bottom of a planting hole, it is recommended to make drainage from expanded clay mixed with sand. It is unacceptable to grow rhododendrons in wetlands.

Reviews

Solovyova Lyudmila Arkhipovna, 48 years old, Saransk: “Several years ago I gave up growing vegetables on an industrial scale on my plot. Having saved space, I decided to create a recreation area next to the house and the well. My husband installed several benches and swings.Fantastica rhododendrons were planted next to each bench and next to the well, and white roses and several hostas were planted nearby. It turned out to be a very interesting combination: when the azaleas fade, the roses begin to shine, which look gorgeous against the backdrop of dark green shrubs. Now the whole family relaxes there; when they bloom, rhododendrons smell great, I recommend it.”