Virginia Richards Rhododendron

Rhododendron x 'Virginia Richards' (H-3)

Sku #1035

Small compact evergreen shrub, highly valued for its large trusses of showy pink and apricot tinted flowers - beautiful contrast to the dark green leaves. Prefers cooler regions. Very effective as an accent.

Light Needs

Partial sun

Light Needs
Water Needs

Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
USDA Zone ?

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Detail

Key Feature

Spring Flowering

Light Needs

Partial sun

Landscape Uses

Border, Hedge, Woodland Garden

Watering Needs:Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.

Botanical Pronunciation:roh-do-DEN-dron

Plant type:Shrub, Rhododendron

Deciduous/evergreen:Evergreen

Sunset climate zones:4 - 6, 15 - 17

Growth habit:Compact, Rounded

Growth rate:Slow

Average landscape size:Slow growing to 4 ft. tall and wide.

Special features:Attracts Butterflies, Compact Form, Gift Plant

Foliage color:Green

Blooms:Spring

Flower color:Pink

Flower attributesShowy Flowers

Design IdeasRhododendrons are powerful contrasts against deep-green foliage. They bring light to dark corners while in bloom, and then offer a mass of rich deep-green foliage the rest of the year. Plant along fence lines and walls. Use as a foundation plant around entries and porches where it gets high visibility. Ideal for hedges that separate front yards and block the view of the driveway. A natural in forest and woodland gardens needing a touch of drama.

Companion PlantsPair this soft colored rhodie with delicate Yaku Princess Rhododenron, (Rhododendron x 'Yaku Princess'), Dawn's Chorus Azalea, (Azalea x 'Dawn's Chorus'), Chandleri Elegans Variegated Camellia, (Camellia japonica 'Chandleri Elegans Variegated') and Black Tulip Magnolia, (Magnolia x soulangiana 'Jurmag1').

Care

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.Pruning time: spring after flowering.

History & Lore

History:

The genus Rhododendron is grouped into the heath family, Ericaceae which contains many acid soil loving species. This genus also contains shrubs commonly called azaleas within its 800 Rhododendron species and thousands of hybrids. The species are native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere but are most abundant in the Himalayas and other mountains of Asia. This hybrid is derived from three different plants. The first parent was the result of a cross between the hybrid F. C. Puddlei and the species R. wardii. R. wardii is native to Yunnan Province, China, and collected by Frank Kingdon-Ward, then introduced by him so named in 1913. The other parent is Mrs. Betty Robinson. Virginia Richards was introduced in 1962.

Lore:

Rhododendron was named and classified by Linnaeus who named it from the Greek for rose tree.

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