Nearby, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the rhododendrons at the lower elevations flower in April to early May, but the higher elevations don’t show their color until June. Rhododendron species as found in the wild grow, flower, are pollinated, and set seed.The seedlings are usually pollinated by the plants of the same species and generally look similar to the parent plants, though there may be small, and sometimes considerable, variations among them. What's the difference between Rhododendrons and Azaleas? Blooming in early to mid spring, this Rhododendron hybrid bears an abundance of trumpet-shaped pure white flowers, slightly speckled pink and green within, and emitting a spicy perfume. 10. Slightly fragrant and exceptionally cold hardy, Rhododendron 'April Rose' is prized for its early spring blooms. 2. Similarly, they will bloom earlier in warmer zones, and later in … I have notches in the leaves of my Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons offer tremendous variety in color, shape and size–the result of centuries of hybridization, improving flower color, hardiness and bloom time. Blooming usually occurs sometime in May or June. There are evergreen and deciduous forms of both. Rhododendrons and azaleas offer a wide range of flower colors in the spring and have become popular landscape plants in Maryland. The foliage of elliptic, flat, deep green leaves warms up to reddish-bronze in fall. Catawba Rhododendrons are native to the eastern United States and grow mainly in the southern Appalachian Mountains, beginning in southern Virginia down through northern Alabama. Thus, the actual bloom dates may vary a week or two either way depending upon the weather–a warm spring gives earlier blooms, while a cool spring gives later blooms. Feed your rhododendron all you like in the spring, but by late summer, you need to cut back on both fertilizer and water to give the plant just enough stress to encourage blooming. Most of the rhododendrons people grow are hybrids, rather than natural species. 1.The hours of daylight and darkness are similar to what they are in the spring when these plants normally bloom. A "Good-Doers" list of hybrid and species rhododendron are now available. What is a good setting for planting my Rhododendrons? The days are warm but the nights are cool – very much as it … Roughly from mid-April to mid-June enjoy the added bonus of corsage-like clusters of pink rhododendrons on waxy-leaved shrubs. 11. Some types of rhododendrons that lose their leaves in winter are commonly called azaleas. The plant likely will survive one-shot surgery, even make a strong recovery, but it is no way to treat an old friend. The azaleas will be at their peak of bloom in the next week or two, but there is a great deal to see all through the garden. What is it and what do I do? Is it a problem for it to flower now? When blooming, they have bright pinkish-purple flowers. Our Lavender Rhododendrons are shipped in large 1 and 3-gallon containers, ensuring you receive an established, better-developed plant. Answer: There are some rhododendrons that exhibit fall bloom, and it seems like late October and early November are the times where this is most noticeable. The New York Chapter, centered on Long Island, NY, is one of many chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and the World that encourage interest in and disseminate knowledge about rhododendrons and azaleas. Rhododendrons don’t like lots of sun and tend to be in the shady areas of the park and along the streams and creeks. Relatively few rhododendrons are fully hardy in the Chicago area or can cope well with its alkaline soils. Most fall blooming plants do it sporadically but one of my hybrids does it every year and it is such a waste because it is a good yellow. 8. When shopping for rhododendron or azaleas, pay attention to when they flower. 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