Rhododendron 'MIDNIGHT MYSTIQUE'

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.

This rhododendron’s name is as mystical as its looks: Midnight Mystique. It offers large, 7-8 cm across, flowers that are almost white in the throat and rich magenta red or purple at the margins. They come out from mid May until early June. Their colour may slightly vary with soil conditions. Evergreen leaves are dark green, flat, 8-10 cm long. It prefers a part-shaded site protected from winter sun. Bred by F.Fujioka, USA, in 1995.

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. Hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 10-02-2011