Rhododendron 'ERATO'^®

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.

The breeder himself, Hans Hachmann, considers this variety Erato the most reliable deep red rhododendron so far produced. The flowers are 7-8 cm wide, deep but bright red. When the shrub is in full bloom it steels all the attention of passers-by. Leaves are deep green, slightly glossy. It grows compact to about 1.4m tall and wide in 10 years. First introduced in 1982.

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