When you have a large garden, the purchase of a large Rhododendron is a good idea.
At our Rhododendron Centre, we have these exclusive specimens up to a height of 280/+ cm.
This will immediately give you a well-filled garden and you can create places where you have privacy and can sit comfortably sheltered.
What is a large Rhododendron?
We speak of a large Rhododendron if it is taller than one metre. The size of a Rhododendron is measured from the root ball. A large Rhododendron is usually at least ten years old. A Rhododendron can live up to two hundred years and will continue to grow all these years. How big a Rhododendron can become depends on the species. The largest Rhodondendrons can grow up to 5 metres high.
How fast does a Rhododendron grow?
A Rhododendron grows about 10 to 25 centimetres per year. The plant grows both in width and height. One of the fastest growing rhododendrons is the Rhododendron Ponticum. Under favourable conditions, this Rhododendron can grow up to 40 centimetres per year. Because the Rhododendron Ponticum has a somewhat loose structure, it is not the most suitable large Rhododendron for planting in a Rhododendron hedge.
Which large Rhododendrons are suitable for the garden?
Are you looking for a large Rhododendron for your garden? Then it is smart to choose a Rhododendron species which is easy to shape. These three types of Rhododendrons are highly recommended if you are looking for a large Rhododendron.
- The Roseum Elegans Rhododendron has strong, dense foliage and produces attractive, lilac-pink flowers from May onwards. Moreover, this Rhododendron is easy to prune and does well on calcareous soils. That is why it is one of the best-selling large Rhododendrons in the Netherlands.
- The Catawbiense Grandiflorum is a Rhododendron with a lovely, glossy dark green leaf. This Rhododendron produces large, lilac-purple flowers in the spring and grows to a height of 2 to 4 metres.
- The Cunninghams White Rhododendron is a classic Rhododendron which grows wide and is nicely branched. The Rhododendron blooms in May and then develops large, white flowers with a yellow macula. The Rhododendron grows about 2.5 to 4 metres high and is easy to prune into a round shape.
Advice on selecting large Rhododendrons
Curious about other large Rhododendrons? At Rhododendroncentre De Valouwe, you will find more than 250 types of Rhododendrons and Rhododendrons that are up to 3 metres tall. You are very welcome to visit our nursery, where we will be happy to tell you more about large Rhododendrons and advise you on selecting the right Rhododendrons for your garden. You can also always ask for free online advice about large Rhododendrons.
Is the XXL Rhododendron a large Rhododendron?
Although the name suggests otherwise, the XXL Rhododendron is not a textbook example of a large Rhododendron. This Rhododendron usually grows to a height of only 1.5 metres. The XXL Rhododendron owes its name to the large flowers, which have a red edge and a white centre. The XXL Rhododendron is popular because this species flowers for a relatively long time. As the XXL Rhododendron has a relatively open structure, it is not advisable to use the XXL Rhododendron in hedges. Other, larger Rhododendron species are better suited for this.
What should you pay attention to when buying a large Rhododendron?
Large Rhododendrons have spent years at the nursery to grow and are therefore not cheap. We therefore understand that you want to be sure that you are buying a good Rhododendron. These are important points to consider when choosing a large Rhododendron:
- Is the Rhododendron well-branched? A well-branched Rhododendron gives a fuller image to your garden and provides more privacy.
- Does the Rhododendron have a nice leaf? When choosing large Rhododendrons, many people look at the shape and colour of the flowers. However, keep in mind that a Rhododendron only flowers for about two weeks a year. A beautiful leaf will give you pleasure for months on end.
Rhododendron Centre De Valouwe has a wide range of large Rhododendrons. You are very welcome to view them at our nursery in Wekerom. You can also ask for online advice about large Rhododendrons.
Planting large Rhododendrons as a hedge or cloud
Large Rhododendrons lend themselves well to the creation of Rhododendron hedges or Rhododendron clouds. They keep their green leaves for months, so that the hedge or cloud offers visual pleasure, shelter and privacy all year round. Rhododendrons also require little maintenance. As a rule of thumb, allow for about two large Rhododendrons per square metre. When planting Rhododendrons, place them in such a way that you can just about reach through with your hand. In this way, the large Rhododendrons have room to grow widthwise and a dense hedge or cloud will quickly form at the same time.
Planting large Rhododendrons loosely
A large Rhododendron can be left alone in the garden, but a Rhododendron looks better in a group. The plants then form a self-sustaining biotope together. Do you want to plant a Rhododendron on its own in your garden? Make sure that the Rhododendron gets enough light and air. A place under a tree, for example, is therefore not suitable. But a Rhododendron also does not fare well in the full sun. A spot in the semi-shade is best for a large Rhododendron.
Preparing to plant large Rhododendrons
Do you want to plant a large Rhododendron? Then it is important that you prepare the soil properly. A Rhododendron needs a light, acidic soil. As a rule of thumb, a pH value of 4.5 to 5.5 should be used. The Rhododendron roots superficially and thus gets all its nutrition and water from a relatively thin layer of soil. We recommend that this soil layer be replenished to create optimum growing conditions for the large Rhododendron.
Advice on the correct soil composition for large Rhododendrons
The optimal composition of the new soil layer depends on the type of soil in your garden. A Rhododendron on clay soil, for example, needs a different soil from one on sandy soil. And are you planting large Rhododendrons on a bank or other elevation? Then it is important to create plateaus, so that the fallen leaves of the Rhododendrons remain under the plant and are converted there into new nutrients. Rhododendron Centre De Valouwe will be pleased to advise you about the right soil layer and supplies all the necessary tools for planting large Rhododendrons.
Maintaining large Rhododendrons
If a large Rhododendron is planted in the right way, it creates its own biotope. The fallen leaves protect the roots of the plant from direct sunlight and, after a while, are converted into new nutrition for the plant. As a result, the plant is self-sustaining and requires relatively little maintenance. Watering, for example, is only necessary in periods when it is hot and dry for a long time. The best way to do this is to water the plant from below. During a wet summer, nutrients may wash out, which makes it necessary to fertilise large Rhododendrons. The composition of the fertiliser required depends on the soil in which the Rrhododendron stands. Rhododendron Centre De Valouwe will be happy to advise you on which rhododendron fertiliser is suitable for your garden.
Pruning large Rhododendrons
After the flowering period, it is time to prune the Rhododendron. Light pruning is sufficient. Cut the Rhododendron back about 10 to 20 centimetres. The plant will then sprout again the following year. Do you want to cut back large rhododendrons considerably, for instance by cutting them back by one metre? Then it is best to do this in the winter. The plant is then at rest. This will give the Rhododendron time to develop its dormant buds. Rhododendron Centre De Valouwe will be happy to advise you or your gardener on pruning your large Rhododendrons.
