Rhododendron augustinii 'SAPHIRBLAU'

Augustine rhododendron is a Chinese species found by Augustine Henry in 1886. Its native habitat is from W.Tibet to N.E.Yunnan and S.E.Sichuan. It makes compact, dense shrubs producing rich violet flowers in spring, and small, elliptic, fragrant leaves. It can be compared to dwarf blue flowering impeditum types opposed to which it makes substantial shrubs.

Saphirblau is a Hans Hachmann variety of Augustine rhododendron from 1995. It was selected for its beautiful, about 4.5 cm across, brilliant violet blue flowers from late April until second half May. Evergreen leaves are rather small (4-6 cm long), narrowly elliptic, tapering to a fine tip, dark green, and glossy. When touched the whole plant releases a lovely, spicy fragrance typical for ericaceous plants, especially in warm weather. It grows strictly upright, forming a neat, almost uniform shrub about 1.5m tall and 1m wide. It tolerates full sun in evenly moist soil.

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 -23°C (USDA zone 5). It has not been trialled in lower temperatures yet.

Last update 13-05-2019