Rhododendron Arctic Tern

Rhododendron Arctic Tern is a dwarf evergreen bush with a rounded, erect, and open habit. This vigorous variety has small, narrow, light green, glossy foliage. Its late flowering for this type of rhododendron occurs in May-June, in the form of tight clusters of small white flowers with a green throat, measuring 1 cm in diameter. This little "rhodo" does not exceed 50 to 60 cm in height in 10 years. It dresses up small beds, borders, and pots all year round and is grown in cool, semi-shaded acidic soil. This delightful specimen has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in England.

Rhododendrons are plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, which includes a hundred genera, many of which are common in our gardens. Heathers, Kalmia, Andromeda, Leucothoe, Oxydendrum, and Gaultheria are valuable in ornamental beds, while Arbutus and especially Vaccinium delight us with their fruits. The vast majority of these plants prefer limestone-free, acidic soils and humid climates.

Rhododendron Arctic Tern comes from Rhododendron trichostomum, native to southwestern China, a very branched and low-growing botanical species. It forms a dense, rounded bush, reaching 60 cm in height and spread at maturity. Its evergreen leaves are elliptical, slender, and leathery. During May and June, this dwarf shrub is literally covered with green flower buds that open into pure white flowers with a small green throat. The flowers are grouped in terminal corymbs composed of 3 to 6 flowers or more. A special sight in your garden.

Hardy down to -20°C, the Rhododendron Arctic Tern prefers a semi-shaded exposure or slightly more sun, avoiding the period from 12 pm to 5 pm. With slow growth, this heather-loving shrub thrives in moist, humus-bearing, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils. Rhododendron Artic Tern will be ideal for bordering beds, in pots, or even as a standalone plant in a small garden. In beds, this miniature Rhododendron occupies the foreground, in front of acid-loving plants with a taller habit, such as the superb Kalmias, or Mountain Laurels, with beautiful dark green foliage and lovely small flowers in May-June. It also thrives in the light shade of an Oxydendrum arboreum, whose long clusters of white bell-shaped flowers in summer and striking autumn foliage provide a spectacle for much of the year. To ensure flowers all year round, complete this picture with an Autumn Camellia like the magnificent Camellia sasanqua Yuletide, with its bright red flowers and yellow stamen hearts enchanting your days from November to January.