Rhododendron 'SEPTEMBER FLAIR'

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.

September Flair is possibly one of those rhododendron hybrids which bloom profusely in spring, and again in autumn. This variety was bred Hans Hachmann in 1994 as a cross between Hachmann's Marina and a specila subspecies of r.dichroanthum (scyphocalyx x griersonianum). Its flowers are broadly campanulate, open from salmon pink buds to orange young flowers which mature clear yellow. Spring blooming begins in late May and continues for about 3 weeks. Autumn flowering takes longer (5-6 weeks) and begins in early September. The flowers in the truss open individually, one by one, and are best removed when faded in order to keep the rest of the truss nice for the newly opening ones. Evergreen leaves are leathery, dark olive green, medium glossy, shorter than usual and broadly elliptic. September Flair rhododendron forms a compact shrub which in 10 years gets only about half a meter tall but almost twice as wide.

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. Its hardiness has not been tested in extremes yet but is estimated to be around -23°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 04-01-2016