Green Thumb Corner

Rhododendron - Roseum Elegans, Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans', produces stunning lilac pink flowers in numerous rounded trusses on a vigorous, upright and spreading shrub. Ball-shaped truss holds about 20 flowers. It has olive green foliage and grows 5' in ten years. Rhododendrons are ornamental, acidic-soil loving broad-leaf evergreens. They grow best in partial shade. Plant in a location protected from strong winter winds. Roseum Elegans loves to be planted with pre-moistened peat moss, and well drained soil is a must! Use in mass, group or specimen for shrub borders, mixed borders, woodland gardens and shade gardens.

The Rhododendron Haaga, 'Haaga Rhododendron', is a new, hardy, dwarf variety from the University of Helsinki, Finland. It produces dark pink flowers which contrast nicely with the dark green, coarse foliage. The Haaga will begin to bloom in May. This plant needs excellent drainage, mulching and a peat moss soil additive. Roots will rot in poorly drained soil. It will not do well in windy sites. This dense evergreen shrub is a highly valued landscape ornamental. The large groups of showy pink flowers appear on even young plants. The Haaga is a very effective accent plant.

The Rhododendron Helsinki University, 'Rhododendron 'Helsinki University', produces bright pink flowers that are freckled with red. The bushes burst into bloom in late May to early June. The glossy green mature foliage opens in red tones on young plants. The Helsinki University is an evergreen with upright growth and it is super hardy. Plant in well-drained soil, in a sheltered location protected from north wind.

The Rhododendron, Pohjola's Daughter, 'Rhododendron 'Pohjola's Daughter', exhibits large fuchsia-pink buds that open shell pink and slowly turn white. Pohjola's Daughter is very hardy and flowers in early-midseason. The low mounding habit of this plant allows for placement in a myriad of landscapes. Pohjola's Daughter is a low dense bush, growing about 3 feet high, with much forking and it is often broader than it is tall. Rhododendron like acidic soils that are high in organic matter. High organic content assures that the soil will retain moisture, yet also drain well when too wet. These optimum conditions are typically achieved by planting into soil that has been amended with generous quantities of peat moss or organic materials.

Pink and Sweet Azalea, Rhododendron viscosum 'Pink and Sweet', extends the season with color since it is a late-blooming azalea. Purplish-pink flowers have a golden flare in the throat and a spicy sweet fragrance. Striking blossoms are set off by deep green foliage that turns red each fall. These sweet azaleas are so well named since they are lovely and very fragrant. Few landscape plants are more colorful than Pink and Sweet or offer as many opportunities for your landscape. Pink and Sweet performs best in well drained, acid, organic soil that maintains a uniform moisture level all year. It grows 4 feet wide and 3 feet wide. Site selection is very important. Azaleas prefer light to moderate shade and watering newly planted azaleas is essential. This is especially true when planting in spring. Their shallow roots will dry out quickly during periods of limited rainfall.

Rhododendron - Mikkeli, Rhododendron 'Mikkeli', has lush foliage that provides an excellent backdrop for its clusters of beautiful pure white flowers, which have pink and green markings; blooms from late May to early June. Mikkeli is a dense, compact and well-branched variety. It prefers cooler regions and is hardy to at least -29 degrees F. Mikkeli is a late bloomer and grows 6 feet tall and wide. Rhododendrons are ornamental, acidic-soil loving broad-leaf evergreens. They grow best in partial shade. Plant in a location protected from strong winter winds. Mikkeli loves to be planted with pre-moistened peat moss, and well drained soil is a must! Use in mass, group or specimen for shrub borders, mixed borders, woodland gardens and shade gardens.

The Rhododendron Nova Zembla, 'Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla', is a dense-growing, small evergreen shrub that displays large trusses of flowers. The red flowers will appear in mid spring. The Nova Zembla is very effective as an accent plant. For best results, feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom and keep the roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. This plant will attract butterflies and other wildlife. It is generally heat and sun tolerant and perhaps the most widely grown and successful red hybrid for harsh climates.

The Azalea, Orange Mollis Hybrid, Rhododendron x kosteranum, is a lush, deciduous shrub that bears a splendid range of colors from cream to rich yellow, to orange and orange-red in an unsurpassed brilliance in spring and early summer. Orange Mollis bears large clusters of 2 to 3 inch flowers and has been hybridized to be hardy even in more northern parts of the country. If given too much shade, or if plants are allowed to get too dry in midsummer, blooming will be reduced the following year. This azalea needs full sun. Orange Mollis also requires acidic soils and excellent drainage. This azalea is usually trouble free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions.

The Azalea, Pink Mollis Hybrid, Rhododendron x kosteranum, is a lush, deciduous shrub that bears a splendid supply of stunning pink blooms in an unsurpassed brilliance in spring and early summer. Pink Mollis bears large clusters of 2 to 3 inch flowers and has been hybridized to be hardy even in more northern parts of the country. Flowers are borne in large, showy trusses in mid-spring just before the leaves emerge. The deciduous hybrid azalea is known for excellent fall color and unsurpassed spring flowers. If given too much shade or if plants are allowed to get too dry in midsummer, blooming will be reduced the following year. This azalea needs full sun. Pink Mollis also requires acidic soils and excellent drainage. This azalea is usually trouble free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions.

The Azalea, Red Mollis Hybrid, Rhododendron x kosteranum, is a lush, deciduous shrub that bears a splendid supply of vibrant, reddish orange, funnel-shaped blooms in an unsurpassed brilliance in spring and early summer. Red Mollis bears large clusters of 2 to 3 inch flowers and has been hybridized to be hardy even in more northern parts of the country. Flowers are borne in large, showy trusses in mid-spring just before the leaves emerge. The deciduous hybrid azalea is known for excellent fall color and unsurpassed spring flowers. If given too much shade or if plants are allowed to get too dry in midsummer, blooming will be reduced the following year. This azalea needs full sun. Red Mollis also requires acidic soils and excellent drainage. This azalea is usually trouble free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions.

The Azalea, White Mollis Hybrid, Rhododendron x kosteranum, is a lush, deciduous shrub that bears a splendid supply of spectacular white funnel-shaped blooms in an unsurpassed brilliance in spring and early summer. White Mollis bears large clusters of 2 to 3 inch flowers and has been hybridized to be hardy even in more northern parts of the country. Flowers are borne in large, showy trusses in mid-spring just before the leaves emerge. The deciduous hybrid azalea is known for excellent fall color and unsurpassed spring flowers. If given too much shade or if plants are allowed to get too dry in midsummer, blooming will be reduced the following year. This azalea needs full sun. White Mollis also requires acidic soils and excellent drainage. This azalea is usually trouble free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions.

Rhododendron - P.J.M., Rhododendron 'P.J.M.', is a compact evergreen with a mounded, neat appearance. The foliage covering is dense, and this landscape plant typically grows 4' to 6' tall, but can grow to 10' with a width about two-thirds the height. P.J.M.'s evergreen leaves turn a wonderful deep mahogany-purple in winter and with more sun exposure, its winter foliage color intensifies. It is one of the most reliable rhododendrons for northern climates. Rhododendrons are ornamental, acidic-soil loving broad-leaf evergreens. They grow best in partial shade. Plant in a location protected from strong winter winds. P.J.M. loves to be planted with pre-moistened peat moss and well drained soil is a must! Use in mass, group or specimen for shrub borders, mixed borders, woodland gardens and shade gardens.