Rhododendron 'CALSAP'

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.

Calsap is another good old buddy that was bred by M.W.Michener and introduced already in 1965. It is a large, fast growing shrub producing erect trusses of very pale lilac-violet, almost white flowers with a striking deep burgundy red blotch. Blooming time is late May and early June. Evergreen leaves are leathery, ovate, deep green, and partly glossy.

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 leave-mould. Extremely hardy iron-clad, hardy to abt. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 13-09-2014; 24-11-2019