Rhododendron 'Microhirs3' NUGGET BY BLOOMBUX^®

In 2006 Germany announces their first encounter with the box tree moth attacking large areas of cultivated box plants. The infection quickly spreads and chemical treatment works only if used repeatedly and mostly for small gardens. It appears that there is no predator. Therefore, rather than pumping the gardens with more toxins, breeders invent plants that would work as equal substitutes to box plants, and the moths would stay away from them. The biggest success were several types and varieties of Japanese holly (ilex crenata) and similar species.

Interesting fact is that in 1997, which is almost 10 years before the first moth was discovered, a couple of German breeders Walter Preil and Ralf Lüttmann managed to breed a new rhododendron cross that looked very similar to box. No wonder that at the age of dying box fields this new plant receives a lot of attention, and consequently a patent and a name that says something like "hey, I am almost a box, too!". The name is BLOOMBUX^®, how clever. In 2015 it is awarded the golden medal in Show Your Colours competition at the IPM nursery fair in Essen.

NUGGET BY BLOOMBUX^® is a beautiful rhododendron cross of r.hirsutum and r.micranthum. It is a compact, evergreen shrub with profusion of small but lovely flowers from late May until mid June. They open from salmon pink buds into pale pink, funnel-shaped flowers that look like miniature weigela flowers. Lush leaves are evergreen, narrowly elliptic, dark green, glossy, and so elegant that a plant without flowers looks as irresistible as in full bloom, and will be a perfect companion in the garden as well as on a balcony or patio.

It grows moderately and can be trimmed immediately after flowering. It forms bushy and compact shrubs about one meter tall and wide. A mature plant can have as many as a thousand flowers. No deadheading is necessary, though, especially if you prune it. 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 leave-mould. It is hardy to min. -25°C (USDA zone 6) and is expected to take a couple of degrees lower. Keep plants in pots always moist and never use a saucer.

Last update 18-01-2018; 17-12-2021