Rhododendron rubiginosum Ted Millais AGM
Item: SRUBTM
Currently Unavailable
April-May
Dark Pink
150-175cm
Not Scented
No
To -15 °C
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This selection, collected by the late Ted Millais, has attractive deep pink flowers in April to May. This is an easy vigorous strong-growing shrub that will grow large in time. It has interesting small bronze green foliage and is good for windbreaks and will tolerate neutral soil. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Ted collected this on one of his early trips to the Himalayas during the 1980's. He gave a seedling to the RHS Gardens at Wisley, and it was planted out at the top of windswept Battleston Hill where every spring the flowers glow luminously. Colin Crosbie, Woody Plant Supervisor at that time, much admired it and we were delighted when he offered to name it in honour of Ted Millais who died in 2003.
- A tough plant useful for neutral soils.
- Easy to grow.
- Ideal position: most garden situations.
- Habit: Upright
- Group: Small leaved rhododendron
- Subsection: Heliolepida
- Introduction date: pre 1900 (1889)
- Species distribution: W & NW Yunnan, NE Upper Burma, SW Sichuan, SE Tibet.
- Approximate altitude: 2,500-4,250m
- Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.5.
- RHS Hardiness Rating: H5.
- How we usually propagate this plant: Cutting.
- Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit, 2013.
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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