Rhododendron - preparation for winter

Rhododendron or rosewood is one of the most popular ornamental plants in the world. Deserved love this plant has won thanks to its unpretentious and spectacular appearance. It is especially attractive in the spring, when the bushes of rhododendrons are covered with caps of white, pink, purple, orange or red flowers against the background of green leaves. The fashion for these handsome men and our latitudes has not bypassed: more than 100 varieties of rhododendrons are used in ornamental horticulture, of which a large number of hybrids are distinguished, differing in shape and size of leaves and flowers. There are evergreen and deciduous species of rosewood, and the way the rhododendron hibernates depends, first of all, on its species.

How to prepare a rhododendron for the winter?

1. The first step in preparing the rhododendron for the winter will be a precise definition of its variety. The fact is that, despite the widespread belief that these beauties are effeminate, many varieties of rhododendrons easily withstand frosts down to -30 ° C without any shelter. And this is the temperature that gentle flower buds withstand, and the plants themselves easily tolerate even more severe frosts. But young plants in the first two years after planting are recommended to cover for the winter, regardless of the variety, in order to protect them from freezing in case of snow-free frosty weather.
2. It should be remembered that evergreen rhododendrons even in winter continue to evaporate moisture. Therefore, from the autumn it is necessary to provide them with the necessary water supply. To this end, until the frosts, the plants are watered abundantly (at least 10-12 liters of water for each adult plant), and then mulched with a thick layer of pine bark. After the onset of the first frost, the layer of mulch should be increased, sprinkling the roots and lower branches with compost, pine needles or sour peat.
3. How to cover the rhododendron for the winter? Of course, the way of hiding for the winter depends on the frost resistance of the rhododendron. For shelter, you can use various frames with kraft paper, natural (spruce lapnica, dry oak leaves) or artificial (agrotex, spandbond, lutrasil) covering materials. Will help to protect the pink tree from frost and ordinary sacking. Many gardeners prepare special huts for wintering rhododendron, knocking them out of polyurethane foam or polypropylene.
4. Deciduous rhododendrons are less demanding for wintering conditions, so it is sufficient to bend them to the ground so that their branches are covered by a layer of snow. The root neck must first be covered with peat or dry foliage with a layer of at least 15 cm.
5. After the danger of severe frosts passes, the shelter must be removed. Do this when the temperature does not drop below -10 ° C. Weaker frosts to the rosewood are not terrible, but the shelter can lead to the growth of the plant. To protect the rhododendron from sunburn, remove the shelter better in overcast weather, leaving part of it for a while, as a protective layer.
6. Since the branches of the rhododendron are fragile enough, they can not withstand the severity of the snow. Therefore, after heavy snowfalls, the snow from the rhododendron should be shaken off better. If the rhododendron grows in the dacha area, where the gardener does not exist in winter, it is better to build a special frame from the boards for the branches of the rhododendron, providing for air holes.

Protected in such a simple manner, rhododendrons will surely survive even the harshest winter, in order to please the horticulturist again in a lush and bright flowering in the spring.