Rhododendrons: Longest blooming season

Discussion in 'Ericaceae (rhododendrons, arbutus, etc.)' started by jml20, Jul 13, 2005.

  1. jml20

    jml20 Member

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    Location:
    Comox, BC
    Please advise what species of rhododendron would have the longest blooming season and would be suitable for the Comox Valley region of Vancouver Island.
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Early (March-April) ones last longer than those that come out later, as long as they don't get frosted.
     
  3. fourd

    fourd Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    X-maryland now New Mexico
    As Ron says, the early ones tend to bloom longer because of the cooler weather. We can extend the overall blooming season by planting a combinition of Early, Mid and Late season varieties, however that does not extend any individual plant's length of bloom.
     
  4. Chris Klapwijk

    Chris Klapwijk Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Black Ceek, B.C., Canada
    For the Comox Valley, I would suggest R. dauricum or one of its hybrids, like R. 'Olive' (moupinense x dauricum), for example.

    R. 'Olive' was in bloom here in Langley, B.C. on January 26th of this year and still blooming at the end of March.

    There is a white flowering form called R. dauricum var. leucanthum which blooms slightly earlier than the pink form, but it is rare in cultivation.
     

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