Rhododendron 'MIDNIGHT MAGIC'^®

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.

After a huge success with bi-coloured rhododendrons Hans Hachmann and Midnight Mystique there is a new sensation called Midnight Magic^®. It makes large, open wide flowers with a wide, dark purple red brim. The throat is almost white decorated with a fantastic curry yellow blotch. Purple red stamens contrast beautifully with the white flower background. It is a late variety blooming from end May until mid June. Evergreen leaves are leather, thinner, mid green, and not very glossy. The shrub get wider than tall with age and remains reasonably compact. It was bread by the team Bernd Wickhorst and Holger Hachmann, and introduced in August 2015.

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. It is hardy to min. -25°C (USDA zone 6) but it is expected to take stronger frost.

Last update 26-01-2017