The beautiful Rhododendron Azurro - interesting and important information about this evergreen shrub

Rhododendron azzurro is called Habitus due to the uniform development of a compact bush.

This hybrid variety is distinguished by contrasting bright blooming of openwork flowers.

In the article we learn what this plant is and how it differs from other varieties. We will study the methods of reproduction, how to care for flowers during flowering and after.

Consider diseases and pests awaiting the rhododendron Azurro.

Brief definition

Rhododendron azzurro belongs to the large heather family. This is a hybrid variety of the rhododendron species. The homeland of wild flowers is North America, China, the Himalayas.

Detailed description

Rhododendron azurro hybrid is an evergreen shrub reaching 10 m in height at the age of 10 years. Growing slowly. The crown is spherical, compact. The flowers are dark purple with a burgundy scattering of spots on a golden background of the core of the flower. The flowers are collected in medium-sized inflorescences, with a diameter of 10 - 12 cm.

The flower petals are wavy, corrugated at the edges. The leaves are covered with scales, leathery in structure, bright green. The root system is superficial; a loose substrate is required. It blooms generously, flowering begins in late May. Winter hardiness is average, this variety can withstand frosts up to - 23 ° C.

It requires mulching the soil and shelter for the winter.

History of occurrence

Breeders bred hybrid varieties of evergreen rhododendron, so they are called hybrid. The azzurro rhododendron is the result of crossing two types of rhododendrons: Nova Zembla and Purple Splendour. For its decorativeness, azzurro rhododendron has received many awards at festivals and competitions.

How is this plant used in life?

Rhododendron azzurro in Tibetan and Indian medicine used as a medicinal plant. It is believed that the tincture of flowers has an antispasmodic, hemostatic property. In folk medicine it is used as a diuretic.

What is the difference from the rest of the species?

Rhododendron azzurro has healing properties. This variety blooms annually, abundantly and generously, has a rich purple color of flowers. To achieve volume flowering, pruning of the bush is required at a young age.

Subsorta and their photos

Azurica

A short bush, its height is only 50cm. The first flowering occurs in May, the second in August. A very dense crown grows to 1 m wide. Small bluish leaves grow to 1.5 - 2 cm in length. The flowers are dark, purple with a blue tint. The variety is frost-resistant, soil mulching is required.

Gristede

The leaves are elongated, small, shiny and dense in structure dark green. The bush is evergreen. Blooms in early summer. The flowers are small, up to 2 - 3 cm, numerous. Coloring gently - purple with a bluish tint. Frost resistance is average.

Rasputin

Evergreen medium-sized shrub, the height of an adult bush is average - 1.2-1.5 m. The crown is wide, in diameter reaches 1.5 m. The flowers are delicately purple with a dark purple or raspberry pattern - interspersed on the upper petal.

Flowers are collected in dense, large inflorescences. It blooms in late spring - early summer. The aroma of flowers is either absent or mild.

The leaves are large, oblong, up to 12 - 15 cm, shiny, dense, the outer side has a dark green color, from the bottom the leaves are light green. In winter, the leaves do not die off, they acquire a brown tint. The stems are strong, erect. All the details of the care, cultivation and propagation of Rasputin rhododendron you will find here.

Bloom

When and how?

Rhododendron azzurro blooms in late May - early June, the average flowering duration is 2 - 3 weeks. It blooms generously, forming a rounded, sprawling bush.

Care before and after it

During flowering, azzurro rhododendron needs good lighting and plentiful watering. During bud formation, the temperature should not exceed 12 ° C. After flowering, young, elongated shoots are pruned for reproduction.

What to do if it does not bloom?

To prolong flowering and the formation of new inflorescences, you need to feed the flower with superphosphate. Perhaps azzurro rhododendron does not bloom due to a lack of minerals in the soil. It is necessary to check the bush for the presence of fungi and garden pests - they impede growth and flowering.

Use in garden design

Azzurro rhododendrons look good in coniferous compositions, besides pine, juniper bushes protect the flower from wind, sun, create the desired partial shade. Bushes of azzurro rhododendron are planted in plain sight: along the curbs, by the terrace, near the arbors. These exotic flowers are also grown in huge flowerpots and drawers on the loggias.

Step-by-step care instructions

Seat selection

For azzurro rhododendron, a quiet place in the garden, away from the wind and drafts, would be most preferable. A semi-shady place is suitable. For young bushes, the bright sun is dangerous, the rays cause leaf burns, additional shading is required. A dense shadow is also contraindicated in this variety, azzurro rhododendron grows well in places with soft diffused light.

What should be the soil?

The substrate for azzurro rhododendron requires acidic, loose, moist, rich in humus.

Attention: acidic peat must be added to neutral soils.

The advantages of this variety are that flowers can grow on sandy and rocky soils. The best soil mix for azzurro rhododendron:

• Deciduous land.
• Pine litter.
• Sour peat.
• Sand.

The ratio is 1: 1: 1: 1 drainage base.

Landing

Rhododendron azzurro is planted in the fall, or early spring. The planting procedure requires sequential actions:

1. It is necessary to dig a landing hole, it should be 2 times larger than the root - 50 - 60 cm in depth and 60 - 70 cm in diameter.
2. At the bottom there is a drainage layer, 15 cm.
3. Vertically place the bush in a hole, be sure to straighten the roots.
4. The void around the root is filled with a substrate, the root is lightly pressed.
5. The roots do not deepen much.
6. Fall asleep seedling to the root neck.
7. The substrate is slightly compacted.
8. Abundantly watered.
9. Mulch with a layer of foliage, peat and sawdust of 5 cm.

Important: for the seedling, the wind support is installed, after rooting the support is removed.

Temperature

In winter, azzurro rhododendron can withstand frosts of -26 - 29 ° C. The optimum temperature for the hybrid is 12 - 15 ° C. In summer, in the heat during shading and regular heavy watering and showering, this species can tolerate heat at 25 - 30 ° C.

Watering

For irrigation use rain, snow or settled water. To make the water softer, a little peat is added to the water tank for 24 hours. In summer, daily plentiful watering is required. The substrate around the bush should get wet to a depth of 15 - 20 cm. Excessive watering is also harmful to azzurro rhododendron, as well as drought.

For bush freshness, daily spraying is recommended in summer in the early morning or after sunset. Before frosts, the flower should be well watered, after which it should only be watered in dry weather.

Top dressing

After planting, azzurro rhododendron is fed with argon beads, to strengthen the seedling. Special mineral fertilizers for azaleas and rhododendrons contribute to the acidity of the soil. Periodically - 1 - 2 times a month fertilize the soil with peat to enrich the substrate.

To avoid yellowing of the leaves, the flower is fed with a solution of iron chelate. For young bushes, doses of fertilizers are reduced by 2 times.

Pruning

To preserve the beautiful shape of the crown, azzurro rhododendron requires a standard trimming of old shoots by a third. Pruning is usually carried out 3 weeks after flowering. Young bushes are pruned regularly. In early summer, it is necessary to cut excess root shoots. All sections are treated with garden varnish or oil paint.

Transfer

For transplantation of azzurro rhododendron, the optimal time is before and no later than 2-3 weeks after flowering. Typically, a transplant is performed in late March - early April.

Important: in the first year after transplanting, it is necessary to remove all flower buds, further flowering can weaken the root of the transplanted flower.

How to prepare for winter?

In winter, this variety can withstand temperatures down to -26 ° C, but in snowless winters and in cold areas, mulching and shelter for the winter with burlap or coniferous branches is required. At the very beginning of spring, shelter is not completely removed, in parts, to protect the leaves from the strong sun.

How to propagate?

Azzurro hybrid rhododendron is propagated by layering or cuttings.

Propagation by cuttings is carried out in July:

1. Cuttings cut 10 - 12 cm.
2. For a day, the planting processes are placed in a solution of the root growth stimulator.
3. The substrate is mixed in advance: peat, sand, coniferous land.
4. Cuttings are planted in boxes, covered with a film or glass.
5. After 3 to 4 weeks, the cuttings will take root.
6. In autumn, seedlings are transferred to the cellar for wintering.
7. In late spring, grown seedlings are planted in open ground in the garden.

Reproduction by layering is a simple procedure that does not require much effort:

1. Pick up a branch that grows low to the ground.
2. An incision is made on the stem.
3. Lay the branch in the hole, fix it with wire, and add it.
4. Constantly moisturize.
5. When the shoot takes root, the bush is separated.

Diseases and Pests

Important: for the prevention of diseases and the appearance of garden pests, it is necessary to treat the bushes with Bordeaux liquid in late November and early March.

• Dangerous for rhododendron azzurro mealybug, rhododendral bug. Spraying with insecticides - actar or phytoverm will help get rid of pests.
• Garden snails and slugs most often attack bushes. You need to assemble them manually.
• A soap solution will help get rid of the spider mite. It can be sprayed with a fungicide solution.

Breeding azzurro rhododendron requires a lot of effort. Using all the knowledge and skills, you can get a bright flowering of your garden as a reward.

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