It is a shrub belonging to the Rhododendron genus which also includes azaleas, together they belong to the heather family. It is not a simple plant to grow but with some precautions it is possible to grow beautiful and luxuriant specimens at your home.

The Rhododendrons are shrubs evergreen, tall and wide, medium growing. They have leathery leaves of a nice bottle green but their 'specialty' is certainly in flowering: medium, simple flowers that give their best from April to June. The only precaution .... put them in partial shade, it does not matter if in the ground or in pots, as long as the earth is acid enough.

CARE

Choose a bright but bright spot for the rhododendron not in direct light, if you grow it Ion garden will do very well next to a hedge or a tree.

Rhododendron is usually a fairly hardy plant but you will need to be careful to protect it from frost by using non-woven plant cloths. For flowering the rhododendron prefers the mild temperatures and the spring season.

Rhododendron prefers a soil that remains constantly moist and rich in nutrients and does not like very much dry and dry environments. During the rainy season the water from the precipitation is sufficient for the rhododendron but with the arrival of heat and drought you will have to water the rhododendron frequently.

The rhododendron is an acidophilic plant which prefers soils with a pH tending to acidity. Choose fresh soil that is low in calcium for your rhododendron.

Fertilize the rhododendron with a specific product that helps keep the soil pH right or add coffee grounds as for roses.

CURIOSITY'

Its name comes from two Greek words Rhodon and Dendron which mean rose and tree. Its name 'rose tree' perfectly describes its characteristics.