| Description | Rhododendron Elegans (Rhododendron roseum Elegans) is an old proven hardy Rhododendron cultivar. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (roh-do-DEN-dron) |
| Plant Type | Broadleaf evergreen |
| Hardiness Zone | (4)5-8 |
| Sunlight | morning sun at most, afternoon shade, part sun |
| Moisture | average to moist, doesn't like drought |
| Soil & Site | well drained, acidic ph, humus |
| Temperature | tolerate of heat or cold, hardy to -25 F |
| Flowers | Flowers form bell shaped trusses, lavender, white, red to pink |
| Leaves | The leaves are large, elliptic olive-green evergreen. They are leathery, which is called coriaceous. |
| Dimensions | An old specimen I have watched grow for many years in zone #5 is roughly 4 by 4 feet. Can reach much larger in the warmer end of it's hardiness zone. |
| Maintenance | I like to dig a large hole, not too deep, and mix the soil with 50% peat moss, compost, or other organic material. Plant in a slight mound for good drainage. Add a cup or two of Ammonia sulfate (or any other acid-producing fertilizer) and some regular fertilizer. Water in good and keep moist. Mulch will help to slow down the loss of water. I like to add acid fertilizer in the fall and spring. Also, you can use a liquid acid fertilizer such as Mir-acid. Any pruning should be done right after flowering. |
| Cultivar Origin | A catawbiense hybrid Rhododendron by A. Waterer. |
| Notes & Reference | #144-Missouri Botanical Gardens web site (www.missouribotanicalgarden.org), American Rhododendron Society |
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