Rhododendrons are a woody shrub of the Ericaceae family they can come in evergreen or deciduous varieties and are a common sight in most of the larger gardens and estates around Ireland, especially Kerry where they have made a nuisance of themselves overgrowing, spreading and wiping out the more fragile plants. They originally are from Asia with some species coming from North America and even Australia. They are closely related to Azaleas which is why the flowers look so similar.
They are easily recognisable with their large globe of flowers often in vibrant purples or reds making quite a dramatic show every year. These showy beauties do not have to just be for larger gardens however, there are a number of dwarf varieties that do very well in smaller gardens. Here I will give you some tips on how to grow them and what variety might suit your needs.
Rhododendrons love acidic soil which makes them a great choice for a Cavan garden as the soil here is naturally quite acidic. They don't like dry conditions so try not to place them anywhere that gets long spells of no water (which shouldn't be an issue here!). Fertilising regularly with manure or seaweed is advised certainly in the first year of planting , Westland Organic Chicken Manure Pellets or Maxicrop Seaweed Fertiliser are both good options.
When first placing the Rhododendron dig in a little of the chicken manure into the bottom of the hole you have prepared for it, be sure to work the manure well into the surrounding soil though as if it's too concentrated in one area it may burn the roots.
Although fairly tolerant of most conditions, they are not a big fan of wind so try to plant them somewhere that has a little bit of shelter.
It is very important when buying your Rhododendron to take note of its mature size, some varieties can become positively gigantic, The Great Rosebay Rhodo' can grow up to 25ft tall which might be a bit much for most gardens!! Now most can be kept in check with liberal pruning but it's easier to just get one that will stay the size that you want, below I will suggest some smaller ones that you may find suitable;
Rhododendron Nova Zembla - This is a hardy, compact, evergreen with deep purple flowers. It makes a good choice for large containers.
Rhododendron Percy Wiseman - This is a fabulous looking flower with dappled pink and pale yellow funnels. It is medium sized so may not be suitable for containers but looks very well when planted in garden corners or amongst trees.
Rhododendron Geisha Orange - This is a dwarf variety so again a good choice for containers or small border beds. It is one of the few Rhodo's that actually has a strong fragrance so works really well in pots at entrances. The flowers themselves are a light red/orange colour and it is also evergreen. This variety looks very close to an Azalea.
Rhododendron Goldika - This is evergreen and very small growing but the most notable thing about it is the very unusual flower. It has milky yellow funnels that grow in an off trumpet shape and is sure to turn heads if added to your garden!
There are plenty more varieties to choose from and no doubt one suitable for every garden, just be sure not to invite a giant into your garden!
Happy Planting :)
