Rhododendron 'MIDNIGHT BEAUTY' 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.Midnight Beauty is a masterpiece from Hachmann’s nurseries in Germany. It is the deepest purple red variety bred so far. The flowers are of a stunning colour depth and form – held upright, the upper petal decorated with black blotches. The evergreen leaves are oblong, deep green. It grows about 1.4m tall and 1.6m wide in 10 years. It prefers partial shade but in evenly moist soil will grow in full sun, too.
For a better looking plant 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 leaf-mould. Hardiness has so far been tested down to -23°C (USDA zone 6) without a damage, and is expected to go even lower.
Last update 14-05-2014
