Rhododendron (impeditum) 'BUCHLOVICE'

Impeditum is a dwarf, mounding rhododendron species from China which is often hybridized in order to achieve different flower colours and leaf types. It is very hardy and quite durable in our climate, no wonder that some of its renowned hybrids were raised in our country - Czech Republic or former Czechoslovakia - too. Ing. Milada Opatrná, CSc., (*1927) was one of the botanists working in the famous Research Institute of Botany in Průhonice. She introduced 4 varieties, all of them hybrids of r.minus and r.impeditum named by significant Czech castles: Krumlov, Sychrov, Lenora, and Buchlovice.

Buchlovice is a dwarf rhododendron producing handsome foliage that bears strong resemblance to its parent r.minus. Its evergreen leaves are short, elliptic, mid green, and glossy. Flowers are 3-4 cm across, lilac pink to pale violet, and appear in profusion already from early May for 2-3 weeks. It slowly forms mounding shrubs which form tiered, horizontal branches in maturity.

As a sun-tolerant species it can be placed in a large rockery or a border with other sun-loving ericaceous plants like heather and deciduous azaleas. It is a perfect ground cover under tall trees and a low companion for compositions with large shrubs. Unless you are making a bonsai do not prune it.

Grow this dwarf type in any location from full sun to full shade, just make sure it is always well mulched. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant it 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. Fully hardy to min. -25°C (USDA zone 5b), possibly more.

Last update 08-02-2018