Time to hit the rhodos

Early-fiowering species are
perfect for spring gardens

LATE FEBRUARY and early March is one of the best
times to become a fan of species rhododendrons. Most of
the time, they are all too easily dismissed with the rest of
that long list of latin latifoliates and other botanical tongue
twisters. Only in early spring do a few of them come for-
ward to interrupt our winter whining and alert us to the

coming of spring.

Most of us sodden foik in Vin-
couver have our own methods of
discerning the end of winter. To
some, it is the arrival of the
crocus, the appearance of the
cherry blossom, or some other
horticultural event, while others
choose to hibernate until the end
of the hockey season (will it ever
arrive?) or the opening day at the
track.

My favorite telltale sign is the
appearance of flowers on my
thododendron dauricum and r.
macronulatum. One look at their
bright pink blooms is all the
wake-up call [ require. These are
examples of species rhododen-
drons, meaning they are a sepa-
tate, naturally growing variety not
created or hybridized by the hand
of man.

I hope the following list will
provide you with enough informa-
licn on some of the early bloom-
ing species available to help you
acquire your own versions of these
spring alarm systems. Wherever
possible, I will include a few of
the hybrids that carry on the
traditions of their parents.

R. aureum

This is a very low growing
dwarf from Japan. It seldom at-
tains heights over 10 inches and
spreads to form a low mound of
small yellow flowers. The small
leaves are reminiscent of those of
the azaleas and it will adapt itself
to similar situations.

Its slow growth makes it a good

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OVER THE GARDEN GATE

candidate for the rockery or
alpine bed. As with most species
with the above characteristics, it is
very tolerant of colder weather
and direct sun. It is not very hap-
py in shaded, damp or poorly
drained locations.
R. barbatum

Give it room; this plant can eas-
ily reach 15 feet or more in height
and 10 feet in width. It is consid-
ered an evergreen tree in its native
Himalayas where it reaches 40
feet. Its rich, red flowers appear
in loose clusters in late February
or early March.

The handsome leathery foliage
is duil green, oblong and supports
bristles along the stalks. The bark

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of the larger branches and main
trunk is a feature in itself with its
unique smoothness and pink-grey
to purple shades.

Do not be surprised if a late,
severe frost damages the flower
buds. This is typical of some of
the forms which flower during the
very early periods.

R. dauricum

This early charmer is partially
deciduous, meaning it can drop
some or all of its leaves over
winter. This depends on both the
timing and severity of the cold
winter weather.

Whether standing bare or par-
tially clothed, the appearance of
its bright, rose-purple blossoms
will more than make up for this
minor indiscretion. The flowers
are approximately one inch in size
and arrive in clusters of five to 10
per truss.

Dauricum is the parent to many
fine, early flowering hybrids.
Look for varieties such as r.
‘Olive’, r. ‘PJM?’ or r. “Praecox’.

R. moupinense

If you are going to limit
yourseif to only a few species
forms of rhododendrons, this

should be one of them. This .

native of China and Tibet is out-
standing.

Mid-sized, pale green leaves
form a low, fairly dense mound
which almost disappears under the
heavy display of shell pink
flowers. These 1% to two-inch
> ‘ossoms hang in loose clusters of
four to eight per truss.

Hybrids with good reputations
such as r. ‘Bo-peep’, r.
‘Cilpenense’, r. ‘Olive’ (yes,
dauricum and moupinense got
together on this one) and r.
‘Tessa’ have not made significant
improvements to this parent
species.

R. mucronulatum

As with most deciduous and
semi-deciduous rhodos, this form
flowers before new leaf growth

See Rhodos page 5

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NEWS photo Paul MeGrath

Decisions, Decisions!

A CUSTOMER at Dykhof Nurseries on Mountain
Highway ponders the possiblities for her spring
garden

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1375 Kingsway, Vancouver (at Knight Road) 876-2201 O.A.C.

Friday, March 8, 1991 — North Shore News - 13