Rhododendron 'PUCCINI' 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.Puccini is a rhododendron with attractive flowers and foliage. The flowers are 7-9 cm wide, lilac-pink with a conspicuous blotch of greenish-brown to ruby red colour. Very unusual combination. The leaves are mid green and flat, slightly glossy and healthy. It grows medium fast, making a shrub of about the same width and height: 1.5 in 10 years. This is a late variety that starts flowering in early June. Bred by H.Hachmann in 1991.
For richer flowering and growth 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. Reliably hardy to -25°C (USDA zone 5b), possibly more.
Last update 30-12-2008
