Rhododendron Gartendirektor Glocker

Rhododendron williamsianum Gartendirektor Glocker is a hybrid variety with very beautiful pendulous pink flowers, washed with red like a watercolour, while the inside of the flower is pink to white-pink in colour. Its evergreen foliage is rounded, slightly curved, dark green, and initially bronze in bud. Then, round and red flowerbuds steal the show before blooming in April or May. The bush forms a compact dome. This vigorous variety appreciates some sun to flower well. It is a fairly hardy selection with a mid-early flowering. 'Rhodos', as spectacular as they are exclusive, only thrive in acidic, rich, moist, well-drained soil under humid climates.

Rhododendrons are plants of the Ericaceae family, like heathers. The Gartendirektor Glocker cultivar is the result of cross-breeding between the Doncaster variety and the Rhododendron williamsianum botanical species, from which it inherited several characteristics. It forms a large, ramified bush with a dense, dome-shaped habit, wider than it is tall, reaching approximately 1.10 m in height and 1.40 m in spread at the age of 10, under good growing conditions in open ground. Its leaves are oval-shaped, fairly rounded, dark green, and glossy. They persist throughout winter. In April or May, for approximately 3 weeks, large clusters or spherical corymbs of several red flowerbuds bloom at the end of the branches. They open into open clusters of 4-9 pendulous flowers, with undulate petal edges. The petals are reddish-pink, and on the upper petal, a dark red macule is clearly visible, while the centre of the flower is pink or white-pink.

Rhododendron williamsianum Gartendirektor Glocker is hardy down to -15°C. Although they generally prefer partial shade, this one appreciates a bit more sun, while always avoiding the hottest hours. With its exquisite flowering, it brightens up a slightly shaded area of the garden, alongside plants with pink, white, red, purple, or blue flowers. Paired with Kalmias, Azaleas, Pieris, or other rhododendrons from the same group, it allows for the creation of superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Also consider Japanese Maples or Ferns and Japanese Anemones.