Rhododendron Halfdan Lem

The Rhododendron 'Halfdan Lem' is an ancient variety, but still spectacular with its magnificent bright red flowering. Its large flowers grouped in terminal clusters illuminate spring with an explosion of colour. Well highlighted by the glossy dark green foliage, they are a real attraction in the garden. This medium-sized bush with slow growth will be at home in a semi-shaded area, at the edge of woods. It will thrive in acidic or neutral soil, provided there is moisture in summer.

The Rhododendrons are plants of the Ericaceae family, which includes about a hundred genera, such as popular heathers, blueberries, or strawberry trees. These plants mostly prefer lime-free soils, with an acidic tendency, as well as humid climates.

This hybrid 'Halfdan Lem' is an American variety from 1972 (Washington - USA), obtained by cross-breeding 'Jean-Marie de Montague' and 'Red Loderi'. After half a century, it remains perfectly relevant due to its dazzling flowering, which lasts for about 1 month, in April-May. The bright red flowers are very large, measuring 6cm (2.4in) each, grouped in clusters with a diameter of 20cm (7.9in), clearly visible from a great distance. The evergreen foliage in winter consists of large elongated leaves, of a glossy dark green colour, which makes it decorative all year round, even when not flowering. With a rather slow growth, this Rhododendron reaches a height of about 1.20m (3.3ft) in 10 years and a width of 1m (3.3ft). At maturity, it will form a bush of 2m (6.6ft) by 1.50m (3.3ft) in size. Like many of its counterparts, it prefers acidic, or even neutral soil (enrich it with ericaceous soil in this case), but definitely not chalk. A semi-shaded exposure will protect it from harsh sunlight and maintain the atmospheric humidity that it needs.

The Rhododendron 'Halfdan Lem' is a very floriferous plant, perfectly hardy, down to -20 °C/-25 °C (-4/-13F). Even though they prefer a semi-shaded exposure, hybrid Rhododendrons can withstand the morning sun as long as it is not scorching and their base remains cool. This bush can be planted in isolation, at the edge of large trees, or in a group. Its glossy foliage will blend perfectly with that of Camellias and by carefully choosing the varieties, you can enjoy superb flowering for a good part of the year. The C. sasanqua (Autumn Camellia) like the variety 'Versicolor' will animate the short days from October to December with their romantic flowering. The Camelia Fuji will then take over from January to March with its beautiful pure white flowers, enhanced by a yellow stamen centre with the most beautiful effect. In May-June, a Kalmia latifolia, or Mountain Laurel, will take over from this Rhododendron 'Halfdan Lem'.