Rhododendron 'RASPUTIN'

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.

Rasputin is a large-flowered rhododendron variety from Hans Hachmann in Germany, introduced in 1986. It boasts 7-8 cm wide, deep purple violet flowers with a deep maroon blotch. They come out from late May until mid June. Evergreen leaves are leathery, dark green, matt, narrowly elliptic, 10-14 cm long, and healthy. The plant grows moderately to fast and forms a spreading shrub about 1.5m tall and 2m wide in maturity. It is a cross between Nova Zembla and Purple Splendour.

For a better-looking plant deadhead rhododendrons where possible. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant them too deep. The soil must well-drained, acidic (of pH value 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. It is hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5b) and very likely will withstand a few degrees lower.

Last update 13-12-2021