Rhododendron augustinii 'Bowood Blue'

(H5)  A most beautiful shrub, with large almost blue flowers.  April - May.  Upright bushy habit.  Some protection required for first two winters.  Height 150-175cm in 10 years. 

 This is one of Lord Lansdowne's favourite augustinii clones from his spectacular Rhododendron collection at Bowood House.  We are privileged to be the first nursery to offer this selection.  It is a superb blue colour and we find it grows more bushy and with a better habit than any other clone.

 http://www.bowood.org/bowood-house-gardens/bowood-gardens 

• Recommended for it's striking purple flower.
• Easy to grow.
• Ideal position: sheltered, dappled shade.
• Habit: upright.
• Group: Small Leaved Rhododendron.
• Subsection: Triflora.
• Introduction date: pre 1900 (1890).
• Species distribution: augustinii distribution:Hubei, W Sichuan, E & SE Tibet, NW Yunnan.
• Approximate altitude: 1,300-3,400m
• Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.0
• RHS Hardiness Rating: H5.
• How we usually propagate this plant: Cutting.
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Customer Reviews

By Edward James Westhead on 23rd December 2023

"A splendid well grown plant"

By Louise Roberts on 10th June 2023

"Super easy, hassle free, fast ordering and shipping. Arrived quickly and well protected."

By Brian Whitehead on 13th April 2023

"Happy with quality of plant"

By kristinjameson4@gmail.com on 5th April 2020

"Plants arrived in excellent condition from your nursery, and I ordered more of the same plus some other varieties this year. This is one of my favorite plants and I look forward to seeing it flower soon."

By Geoff White on 6th February 2020

"A splendid plant! It is quite large, clearly showing last season's vigorous growth. Very well branched and bushy for an 'augustinii'."

By Marc on 19th December 2019

"Nice upright plant"

Size Guide

The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

• 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

For further advice see here

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