Plant of the month: Alpine rose (Rhodo­den­dron)

data

Bota­nical name: Rhodo­den­dron
German name: Alpine rose / Azalea
Family: Heather family (Ericaceae)
Flowe­ring time: April to May
Blos­soms: White, pink, purple, purple, yellow, orange, red, blue
Foliage: Ever­green
Growth habit: Shrub (various sizes)
Origin: China, Asia, North America, Europe

Plant details

Use in the design

Rhodo­den­dron is an ever­green shrub whose name comes from the Greek and means „rose tree“. Rhodo­den­drons are parti­cu­larly impres­sive in spring, when the funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or wheel-shaped flowers create an impres­sive display of colour. Along­side roses, rhodo­den­drons are among the most popular orna­mental shrubs in our lati­tudes — not least because of the some­times very magni­fi­cent flowers that the rhodo­den­dron reveals for several weeks in spring. Rhodo­den­drons can be used in many diffe­rent ways, but they are parti­cu­larly suitable for mixed hedges, front gardens or in bog beds. Thanks to their ever­green foliage, rhodo­den­drons are often used as privacy screens. The rhodo­den­dron requires acidic, humus-rich soil and likes a semi-shady loca­tion.

PARC’S refe­rences

• Garden with pool and lake view
• Asian roof garden
• Modern front garden
• Asian-inspired front garden
• Spacious garden with swim­ming pond