Nova Zembla Rhododendron

Nova Zembla Rhododendron
Genus Rhododendron
Live plants photographed at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois, USA.
Hardiness: USDA 5 - 8 / Partial Shade / Moist Soil / can grow to 4 feet tall

'Nova Zembla' Rhododendron

Nova Zembla rhododendron is so easily grown, it has become a standard choice for planting in less than ideal garden conditions. However, a careful balance of full sun and dappled shade (about 50-50) appears to be critical to a good proportion of leaves to blooms. Deadheading may encourage another period of blooming in late summer or early fall.

"Nova Zembla" means "new land" in Russian, after the island of that name off the northern coast of Russia. Nova Zembla rhododendron develops a stout trunk with thick stems. The bark becomes attractive with scale with age. The blooms are large, sometimes up to 5 inches wide. Flowers late April through May. (These blooms pictured were May 26th, near Chicago).

'Nova Zembla' flowers are deep red, with dark purple freckles. Hardy to -25 degrees F.
Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the Heath Family (Ericaceae). It is a large genus with over 1000 species. Most have very colorful, showy flowers. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas.

Rhododendron grow as shrubs or small trees. The smallest species grows to 10-100 cm tall, and the largest, R. giganteum, has been reported at 90 feet. Leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves is covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum. Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers.

Both species and hybrid rhododendrons (including azaleas) are used extensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of the world, and many species and cultivars are grown commercially. Most large commercial growers in the United States are located on the west coast.

Rhododendrons are valued in landscaping for their structure, size, flowers, and the fact that many of them are evergreen. Azaleas are frequently used around foundations and occasionally as hedges, and many larger-leafed rhododendrons lend themselves well to more informal plantings and woodland gardens, or as specimen plants. In some areas, larger rhododendrons can be pruned to encourage more tree-like form, with some such as R. arboreum and R. falconeri eventually growing to 10-15 m or more tall.

Like other ericaceous plants, most rhododendrons prefer acid soils with a pH of roughly 4.5-5.5; some tropical Vireyas and a few other rhododendron species grow as epiphytes and need a planting mix similar to that required for orchids. Rhododendrons have fibrous roots and prefer well-drained soils high in organic material. In areas with poorly-drained or alkaline soils, rhododendrons are often grown in raised beds using mediums such as composted pine bark. Mulching and careful watering are important, especially before the plant is established.

There are a number of insects that either target rhododendrons or will opportunistically attack them. Rhododendron borers and various weevils are major pests of rhododendrons, and many caterpillars will attack rhododendrons. Major diseases include Phytophthora root rot, stem and twig fungal dieback. [1]

All parts of Rhododendrons are toxic to animals if ingested. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. [1]

Nova Zembla Rhododendron Plant

More Flowers ~~~ North American Insects and Spiders Home ~~~ Tree Encyclopedia

References:

ASPCA, Animal poison control Toxic plant list
Kenneth Cox, Rhododendrons & Azaleas: A Colour Guide (Crowood Press, 2005).
Sonja Nelson, Rhododendrons in the Landscape (Timber Press, Incorporated, 2000).

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