Light Needs
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.
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Light Needs
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Water NeedsNeeds regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
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USDA Zone ?There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden. Learn More
Detail
Care
History & Lore
Reviews
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 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:
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.Write a Review
This Plant's Growing Zones:
6 - 9
