Rhododendron is translated from Greek as "rosewood." These shrubs and trees are an evergreen plant, they have a variety of shapes and colors, and are also different in size of flowers. Tropics and subtropics are places where rhododendron mainly grows. Preparing for winter in cooler regions is of great importance for the conservation of this plant.
Types and varieties of rhododendrons
Rhododendron is an amazingly beautiful shrub, this plant belongs to the Heather family. The most winter-resistant are evergreen varieties, these include Caucasian, Pontic, Katevbin rhododendron. They grow well in the middle lane and tolerate frosts well. Also, deciduous species include deciduous rhododendrons. Among them, one can distinguish such names as Japanese, Kamchatka, dense, yellow and others. In addition, this amazing shrub and flower color is diverse. There are varieties with red, violet, bright blue, pink, orange, yellow and pale white flowers. For the successful development and growth of a plant, one should adhere to the basic rules in caring for it. And most importantly, what rhododendron requires is preparation for winter. After all, this period is very difficult for the plant, and further development and flowering of the bush will depend on it .
How to prepare rhododendron for winter
The first step in preparing for the winter of this plant is abundant watering in the autumn season, especially if the land is very dry. The soil under the rhododendrons should be saturated with moisture in sufficient quantities. But it should be remembered that the water for irrigation is taken soft, since hard water will negatively affect the plant and can even lead to its death.
How else to protect rhododendron from the cold? Preparing for winter involves
mulching the soil around the bushes. For mulch, peat, pine needles, sawdust or heather land are used. The roots of the plant are closer to the surface, and such a shelter will help him better tolerate the cold. The higher the plant, the greater the height of the mulch, with the advent of spring, it is removed or partially abandoned. As for the deciduous species of rhododendrons, there are some features in preparation for winter. In these species, you should bend the branches to the ground and cover them. A low evergreen rhododendron for the winter can also be insulated with dry oak leaves or spruce branches. For large plants, burlap or large spruce branches are used to close from the bright winter and spring suns. Any shelter should have good breathability. After the spring temperature is established, it is removed.
And most importantly, young rhododendrons should be prepared for the winter season. For the first wintering, plants are covered with non-woven material (it can be agril, spanbond) or covered with spruce branches. It is best to do the insulation in the form of a hut, wrapping the covering material around the stakes. In no case should you spud rhododendrons with sawdust and peat, this can lead to undermining and in the future to the death of the plant. Rhododendron is distinguished by its magnificent beauty, preparation for winter will help him survive the cold, and the plant will again delight you with its flowering.