How to cover rhododendrons for the winter in the Moscow region, planting and care rules

In the Moscow region, sheltering rhododendrons for the winter is carried out in several ways. You can, for example, sprinkle the plant with peat to prevent it from freezing. Beautiful flowers are not very favorable to the winter cold, but a lot depends on the type of shrub, as well as on the climate. Both in Siberia, the Urals, and in the Central zone, rhododendrons need a warm shelter.

Why cover

Preparing plantings for cold weather is part of caring for plants that remain on the site. It is carried out in several ways, which allows you to see the bush blooming in early summer.

Rhododendrons are not heat-loving crops, so you should not immediately “hide” them under film or create another shelter. When the temperature drops below 10 degrees minus, it’s time to start work.

Why flowers cannot overwinter in usual conditions:

1. In autumn, buds ripen on the shoots, which will later turn into ovaries.
2. If you expose an ornamental plant to high (low) temperatures, the buds will dry out and fall off.

Important! To see flowers on the site and enjoy their beauty, you will definitely have to prepare rhododendrons for wintering.

When creating a shelter for shrubs, think about the fact that it should not be too “warm”; the following will do:

• sprinkle with peat, leaves and spruce branches;
• Synthetic materials and frame structures are used less frequently.

The constructed shelter is reliable, but at the same time light. This will allow rhododendrons that are not too frost-resistant to survive the winter.

Stages of procedures aimed at preparing for wintering:

1. Mulching the soil is where to start.
2. Cover the base of the bush with coarse sand so that the bark does not rot in the spring.
3. Tie the bush to a support and sprinkle it.

All of the above manipulations are carried out in the middle or end of November, when the temperature “outside the window” stabilizes.

Varieties for the Moscow region

Each region has its own climate characteristics, which makes it possible to develop varieties that will successfully withstand the “vagaries of the weather” and at the same time delight summer residents with harvest or beauty, as is the case with rhododendrons.

If we are talking about the Moscow region, then preference is given to species that are resistant to frost.

Japanese salmon

With large, red flowers, collected in inflorescences of 6-12 pieces. The variety is frost-resistant and reaches a height of 2 meters.

Costerianum

The flowers of this variety have different shades - from pale yellow to bright red. It was first developed in the 19th century and quickly gained popularity. It is considered a hybrid of Japanese. The height of the bush is from 80 centimeters to 2 meters.

Lights Series

This plant will decorate any area, as it is decorative and exotic. Red-orange flowers “crown” bushes 2-2.5 meters high.

Hague

The hybrid, bred in Finland, is highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and is suitable for growing in humid climates. Winters well in St. Petersburg. The bush reaches a height of 1.5 meters; its crown is decorated with large inflorescences of pink flowers.

Helsinki

The variety was bred in Finland, the event was timed to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the University of Helsinki. It will delight the summer resident with flowering, which will begin in early June. The bush will be decorated with pink-red flowers with wavy edges.

Katevbinsky Grandiflorum

Brought out at the beginning of the 19th century, the most popular variety. The bush reaches a height of 3 meters, the crown is 3.5 meters in diameter. It is decorated with lilac-pink flowers. The plant prefers well-drained acidic soils and abundant watering.

Purpurkissen

The height of the bush reaches 90 centimeters, the growing season begins in early June.The plant looks good above the surface of the pond and in tandem with coniferous trees.

Canadian

The variety is unpretentious in care, and due to the blue-blue color of the foliage it is considered decorative. Blooms for 2 weeks in May. Suitable for planting in shady areas of the garden.

Ledeboura

Large pink-violet flowers “crown” a 3.5-meter-high shrub. The plant begins to bloom at the end of April, this period lasts several weeks.

Yellow

The variety is not picky about soil. It has a height of 1.5 meters and spreading branches. Yellow flowers adorn the bush and emit a pleasant aroma.

Pink

It is resistant to frost, which is undoubtedly considered as an advantage of the variety, but among the disadvantages is the small size of the flowers. Pink inflorescences will complement the area and will delight the summer resident for several weeks, emitting a wonderful smell. Pink rhododendrons are ideal for growing in mid-latitudes.

Vazeya

The variety is unique in that flowers on a 2-meter-high shrub appear earlier than leaves. They are somewhat similar to butterfly wings and have no smell. Rhododendron leaves are purple.

It is better to plant the plant in a sunny place; It’s a pity that it won’t bloom for long – only 2 weeks.

Daursky

It has a shallow root system. The variety was bred in China or India in the 19th century; the plant’s peculiarity is large lilac flowers, 4 centimeters in diameter.

Smirnova

“A product of domestic production”, the variety was bred and named after the doctor and botany lover - M. Smirnov. The height of the bushes reaches one and a half meters, the flowers are combined into large inflorescences of a purple hue.

Kashkara

Golden-yellow rhododendron, with a bush height of 60 centimeters. The leaves are long, slightly curved on the sides.

Schlippenbach

Rhododendron 2 meters high with flowers resembling bells. Lilac in color, with purple patches in the middle. At home, the shrub grows up to 4 meters.

Short-fruited

The plant comes from Korea, reaches a height of 80 centimeters, and will delight summer residents with white flowers with golden splashes.

Features of cultivation

Rhododendrons are very whimsical and will delight the gardener with flowering only if they are provided with the necessary conditions.

Common gardening mistakes:

• when replanting, the hole is made too deep and too large;
• fertilize after planting with manure;
• provide the flowers with abundant watering, forgetting about drainage.

Selecting a location

To plant rhododendrons, choose a place where they will have enough sun and warmth, but do not forget that flowers love moisture. Wetlands are suitable provided they are equipped with a drainage system.

Soil quality

Acidic, crumbly soil with good moisture drainage is suitable. But you should not allow the soil to dry out.

Prepare the soil for planting by mixing:

1. Sour peat.
2. Pine needles.
3. Loam.

The components are collected and mixed, adhering to the following proportions: 2:1:3

Correct fit

If you are planning to plant or replant a plant, then follow the rules:

• dig a small hole; since the root system of rhododendrons is compact, there is no need to carry out serious “excavations”;
• fill the hole with the previously prepared mixture (the recipe for suitable soil is described above);
• compact it with your hands and leave a small depression for planting shrubs;
• Before planting, dip the roots of the flowers in water and keep them there until small bubbles stop appearing.

Care

Planting a plant is not enough - you need to take care of it, otherwise it will quickly die.What do we have to do:

1. After planting, monitor watering and loosen the soil.
2. Do not loosen near the roots - this can cause serious damage to them.
3. Do not forget about fertilizing and remove weeds in a timely manner.

Attention! Weeds are pulled out, but no digging is done - this can cause damage to the root system of the rhododendron, as a result of which the flower dies.

Top dressing

The procedures are carried out in June and July, but in August you should not touch the rhododendrons. For these plants, fertilizing with a prolonged action is not used, since this can lead to the fact that at the end of August, beginning of September the shrub will again begin preparations for flowering.

First

Carry out after planting in the ground, you can use mineral fertilizers.

Second

We repeat the procedures after 2 weeks: we give preference to mineral fertilizers or specialized products in granules.

Third

After another 14 days, we repeat all the manipulations; It is better to give preference to granular mixtures. The granules are scattered directly around the root system of the bush.

Watering

Rhododendrons love water and respond well to abundant watering. But stagnation of moisture can cause serious damage to them. To prevent this from happening, think about drainage. It is better to water flowers with soft, river or rain water. In August, watering is reduced - this will prevent the appearance of new branches on the bush.

Protection from diseases and pests

When planting a crop on the site, do not forget that it is susceptible to fungal diseases. To prevent such infections, treat rhododendrons with copper sulfate and special solutions.

What pests affect plantings:

• snails;
• spider mites;
• scale insects;
• weevils;
• bedbugs;
• flies.

The use of specialized selective preparations, which can be purchased at gardening stores, will help rid the plant of insects.

How to prepare for winter

In order for flowering bushes to successfully survive the winter, you will have to prepare for it. The procedures take place in several stages, they have their own characteristics.

Top dressing

Wintering takes place without the use of fertilizers. The last time the plant is fed is at the end of July. In August and September, they refrain from such manipulations so that young shoots that are unlikely to survive the winter do not appear on the bushes.

Watering

The number of watering procedures is reduced in August; rhododendrons should not be watered in winter.

Mulching

The procedure is considered mandatory; it is carried out 2 times: in autumn and spring.

Melt water drainage groove

Since the culture is not very favorable to stagnant water, it is better to build ditches through which excess moisture and wastewater will drain.

Ditches are constructed between plantings; it is not recommended to make them near the plant - there is a risk of damaging the roots.

Shelter

Cover rhododendron bushes with non-woven fiber; you can use foliage and branches of coniferous plants. It is allowed to sprinkle plants with peat, build houses and frame structures.

Deadlines

The bush “winters” from mid-November to the end of March, beginning of April.

But feeding and watering procedures are stopped at the beginning of August. And they resume in mid-April, early May (watering), fertilizers are used in June-July.

How to cover

Alternatively, you can build arcs that are located above the plant. The arcs are covered with non-woven fabric. In cold weather, cover the edges of the shelter with earth to prevent cold air from entering.

Deciduous

Since this variety of crop tolerates frost well and is frost-resistant, there is no need to build shelters. It is enough to sprinkle the root system of the plant with peat, leaves or branches of coniferous trees.

Evergreen and semi-evergreen

Such rhododendrons tolerate frosts less well, so houses or frame shelters are built for them using insulation (polystyrene foam is ideal).

They cover not only the bush, but also its root system - if the roots freeze, the plant will die. The shelter must be equipped with a frame, otherwise it will collapse under the weight of snow and break the bush. The shelter is removed gradually: in early March, after the snow melts, the rhododendrons are rid of most of it; in mid-April or early May, they are removed completely. This way the plant can adapt.

When and how to replant

All manipulations are carried out when the weather is warm outside. Transplanted into a specially prepared hole measuring 40 centimeters (depth) by 60 (diameter). The landing is planned for mid-May.

Reviews

Gardeners in the Moscow region shared their opinions and advice on care and wintering of rhododendrons:

1. Victoria Sokolova: “I grow several varieties of rhododendrons on the plot, I give preference to evergreens. I cover them with a special bag, but at the same time choose a place in the open sun. Not a single plant has frozen yet.”
2. Igor Parnasov: “I give preference to frame shelters, I insulate them with spruce branches, it turns out something like a hut. And my neighbor covers the plantings with boxes.”
3. Irina Aksenova: “I live in the Leningrad region and grow species of rhododendrons, I do not cover them in any way. Due to the high air humidity, they tolerate cold well.”

When you decide to plant rhododendrons on your site, do not forget that the plant needs care. Plantings need to be watered, loosen the soil, and build shelters. Otherwise, despite its frost resistance and unpretentiousness, the shrub may die.