Rhododendron 'ALEXIS'

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.

Alexis is a rhododendron with light violet to lilac coloured flowers with a conspicuous deep burgundy red, almost black blotch. Individual flowers are 6-8 cm wide and come at the end of May and last until mid June. Leaves are deep green. This shrub grows vigorously about 1.4m tall and 7.7m wide when 10 years old. Hybridized by H.Hachmann in 1992.

For richer flowering and growth 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 leaf-mould. Fully hardy to min. -24°C (USDA zone 6), possibly more.

Last update 29-12-2008