Rhododendron impeditum

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.

Impeditum is a dwarf, mounding rhododendron species from China. This evergreen shrub has small, elliptic, blue-green leaves and small lilac-violet flowers in mid spring. Once in full bloom the shrub is totally covered with flowers for 2-3 weeks. It often makes some flowers in early autumn. It grows very slowly into a cushion-like shrubs, hardly ever taller than 50 cm and about 100 cm wide in 15 years.

Being a sun-tolerant species it can be placed in a large rockery or a border with other sun-loving ericaceous plants like heather and deciduous azaleas. It is a perfect ground cover under tall trees and a low companion for compositions with large shrubs. Unless you are making a bonsai do not cut it.

Grow this dwarf type in any location from full sun to full shade, just make sure it is always well mulched. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant it 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. Fully hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5), possibly more.

Last update 01-02-2011