Rhododendron Lady Lasa

The Rhododendron 'Lady Lasa' is a variety born at the Domaine de Boutiguéry with a compact and rounded habit, is very floriferous, and produces large bouquets in shades of coral and salmon. Its large flower buds open in April and May in spherical clusters of large bell-shaped flowers. The inside of the flower is pale yellow warmed by coral orange halos, its throat is dark brown, and the outside of the flower is salmon pink. With its small size, this rhododendron can be planted in gardens, small or large, in acidic soil, in shade or in the morning sun.

Rhododendrons and azaleas belong to the Ericaceae family, like Pieris, Heather, and Bilberries. These plants like limestone-free soils with an acidic tendency and humid climates. Rhododendrons, like other acid-loving plants, have a shallow and weak root system, which makes them sensitive to drought and compact and suffocating soils.

The Rhododendron 'Lady Lasa' was created by Virginie de la Sablière at the Domaine de Boutiguery in Brittany, France's largest conservatory of hybridised rhododendrons. It is a superb variety with a compact habit, slow growing up to 1m in height and width at maturity. Its evergreen and leathery leaves are shiny, evolving from light to dark green. They are elliptical in shape, elongated, and measure 6 to 10 cm long. The young shoots emerge in spring in purple-brown, adding additional ornamental value to this variety. Flowering takes place in late April and lasts for three weeks in May. The multiple large and rounded flower buds open in clusters of grouped flowers at the ends of the branches, which are perfectly round. They evolve in shades of coral and salmon, soft and bright. They almost completely cover the plant.

The compact Rhododendron 'Lady Lasa' is suitable for planting in flower beds, small hedges, cool rockeries, or as a standalone plant in small gardens. It prefers a shaded or east-facing exposure in the northernmost regions, with gentle morning sun and protection from the afternoon's heat. Planted in acidic soil, it can be associated with other acid-loving shrubs: Pieris, Azaleas, Japanese Maples, and Skimmia. Plant it at the back of a small flower bed with perennials that thrive in shaded and cool areas, such as Hostas, Japanese Anemones, and Ferns.