Rhododendron 'ROBERT SELEGER'

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.

Robert Seleger is a unique rhododendron variety. It was bred by Dietrich G. Hobbie from German nursery town Westerstede in 1960. It is a hybrid where only one parent is known: rhododendron calostrotum ssp. keleticum, nevertheless, the result is fascinating. Mounding habit, slow growth, neat and compact shape make it a beautiful feature all year round. The unique bit about it is the foliage. The evergreen leaves are narrowly lanceolate with a conspicuous tip. In May appear masses of light pink flowers with deep red spots in the throat, and completely cover the plant. Don’t prune this one.

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 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. Fully hardy to min. -24°C (USDA zone 6), possibly more.

Last update 19-02-2013