Rhododendron 'CANDY STRIPED PINK' rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are reliable, beautifully flowering, evergreen shrubs of variable origin: S.W. China, Himalayas, Northern America, and even Europe. The original species were hybridized several times for better performance so in the 1950´s there were more than 10,000 cultivars registered, and the number keeps increasing.Candy Striped Pink rhododendron looks as sweet as a funfair lollipop you just cannot resist. It makes white buds with rich purple red stripes which open into almost white, large flowers with bronze dotting on the upper lip. Blooming starts in mid May. Evergreen leaves are thin, leathery, broadly elliptic, slightly wavy, dark green, and partially glossy. The shrub grows fast almost 2m tall and wide.
For a better looking shrub dead-head where possible. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant them too deep. The soil has to be acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), rich in humus, cool and always moist. Ideal soil mixture is peat with lime-free, light garden soil topped with leave-mould. Hardy to about -25°C (USDA zone 5b-6).
Last update 05-12-2018
