Rhododendron 'MACARENA'

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.

Can you still recall how to dance Macarena? Well, refresh your memory because once you get yourself this gorgeous rhododendron hybrid, you will dance around the bush every other day when it starts blooming. The hose-in-hose flowers are very wide: 9-10 cm, deep golden yellow in the centre, grading to salmon-pink or apricot orange towards the margins, so the overall appearance is deep orange. The ovate leaves are 10 by 5 cm large, deep green and glossy. This variety grows medium fast, when 10 years old it may get 1.5m tall and 1.7m wide. Bred by H.Hachmann in 2004.

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. Experienced hardiness -18°C, or -21°C in winter shade or with light protection (USDA zone 6a).

Last update 29-12-2008