Rhododendron 'DANUTA'

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.

Danuta rhododendron will attract your attention by shining, light pink flowers with a contrasting deep maroon blotch. They are large, 8-9 cm across, and appear from the first decade of May until late May. Evergreen leaves are leathery, dark green, slightly glossy, narrowly oval, up to 17 cm long and 6 cm wide. The plant grows moderately into a compact shrub about one and a half meter tall and wide. It was bred and introduced by Hans Hachmann from Germany in 2001.

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. Hardy to min. -24 °C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 13-12-2021