Rhododendron 'BLUE PETER'

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.

Blue Peter is an old time favourite rhododendron whose origin is dated in 1930. It produces rich trusses of large, frilled flowers. Their colour is violet-mauve towards the margins and almost white in the centres with a large, deep burgundy red blotch. They come out from end May until early June. Evergreen leaves are leathery, dark green. It is a medium fast growing shrub that can be some 90 cm tall and 140 cm wide in 10 years.

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. If placed in winter shade it is reliably hardy to -25°C (USDA zone 5b), possibly more.

Last update 15-02-2011