Rhododendron dichroanthum 'MASKARILL'

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.

Maskarill is a fabulous achievement bred by Hans Hachmann in 1985. It is a cross of a wild species rhododendron dichroanthum ssp. scyphocalyx and a little known rhodo hybrid called August. The result is a breathtaking combination of brilliant red and golden orange throat on funnel-shaped flowers from late April until late May. Evergreen leaves are dark olive green, oval or broadly elliptic, rather short, and they cover the plant completely. Maskarill is a slow grower forming a dense shrub about 70 cm tall and 90 cm wide in 10 years.

For a better looking plant 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. Hardiness tested down to -23°C so far (USDA zone 6).

Last update 27-08-2014