Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron (Species) Pontic Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of more than 1,000 species. These plants tend to be grown for their magnificent flowers that come into full bloom in spring time. A note of caution that some types of Rhododendron are seen as pest because they out compete native plants and can spread quite rapidly. They definitely prefer acidic soils so make sure you adjust the soil accordingly. Rhododendron Ponticum is a non native species, originally native to Bulgaria across Caucasus and Lebanon. It is a hardy, evergreen shrub of vigorous habit with shiny leaves of dark green, paler on the undersides, and carrying purplish flowers, occasionally white, in late spring and early summer. This species is quite invasive and is listed in the UK under Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is not forbidden to buy it, but is heavily discouraged from planting it.
Contributed by @bentobox
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Partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Rhododendron (Species) Pontic Rhododendron
Latin name
Rhododendron ponticum
type
Trees or Shrubs
family
Ericaceae
ph
4.5 - 6.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Partial shade
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Frost
Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
5.00 M
10.00 M
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron is a genus of more than 1,000 species. These plants tend to be grown for their magnificent flowers that come into full bloom in spring time. A note of caution that some types of Rhododendron are seen as pest because they out compete native plants and can spread quite rapidly. They definitely prefer acidic soils so make sure you adjust the soil accordingly. Rhododendron Ponticum is a non native species, originally native to Bulgaria across Caucasus and Lebanon. It is a hardy, evergreen shrub of vigorous habit with shiny leaves of dark green, paler on the undersides, and carrying purplish flowers, occasionally white, in late spring and early summer. This species is quite invasive and is listed in the UK under Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is not forbidden to buy it, but is heavily discouraged from planting it.
Flowering
From Late Winter TO Late Spring
Most varieties bloom in Spring, Some varieties bloom later through the year. The earliest is R. mucronulatum which flowers in mid Winter and among the latest is R. auriculatum which will come into flower in mid to late Summer.
Planting
From Late Summer TO Late Autumn
Best planted towards the very end of summer and autumn. If the soil is not acidic dig in plenty composted leaves or bark. Ericaceous compost is acidic. They do best in sheltered, semi-shaded positions but many species with small scaly leaves will thrive in full sun provided they do not dry out. Larger leaved varieties require more shade and shelter from wind.
Propagation by cuttings
From Late Summer TO Mid Autumn
Semi hard wood cuttings are taken from the current years growth from late summer to mid autumn the bottom of the cuttings is hard and soft on the top. With a sharp knife take a cutting of about 14 cms, remove lowest leaves, dip end into rooting hormone, and place round the edge of a pot filled with a suitable compost, water well, they must remain moist till rooted, place under glass but in semi shade.
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