Rhododendron 'BADEN-BADEN'

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.

Baden-Baden is another old-time favourite. It has numerous, campanulate, cherry-red flowers in mid spring. Evergreen leathery leaves are dark green and glossy, ovate to rounded, smaller than on the species. The shrub is compact and slow growing. It thrives in light shade, well mulched it can take full sun.

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. Reliably hardy to -25°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 13-12-2009