Rhododendron 'TANAGA'

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.

Tanaga rhododendron is one of those with an interesting colour contrast between the petal colour and the blotch. This hybrid opens its large, funnel-shaped flowers from pale lavender violet buds into lilac pink flowers with a conspicuous amber orange blotch with yellow and green hues. It is an early variety blooming already from early May for about three weeks. Evergreen leaves are leathery, very dark green, perfectly oval with a pointed tip, and almost matte.

For a better looking shrub 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. Hardy to about 26°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 27-10-2015