Rhododendron impeditum Moerheim

Rhododendron 'Moerheim' is a dwarf cultivar, bushy, very floriferous, and hardy, awarded in England with an Award of Garden Merit bestowed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 1993. Its spring flowering, incredibly generous and refreshing, takes the form of small bouquets in a mauve-blue tone enhanced by calyxes and pink stamens. With its compact habit, beautiful evergreen foliage turning bronze in cold weather, and delightful flowering, 'Moerheim' stands out as one of the most beautiful ericaceous plants for terraces or small spaces. Rhododendrons require light, moist, limestone-free soil and a humid climate to reach their full potential.

Derived from the cross-breeding of several species including Rhododendron impeditum, Rhododendron 'Moerheim' is a plant from the ericaceae family, almost exclusively found in acidic soils. It is a compact variety, with a bushy and highly branched habit, slightly spreading, not exceeding 60cm (24in) in height and 80 cm (32in) in width at the age of 15. The branches bear evergreen, ovate to elliptical, leathery leaves, shiny dark green turning bronze in winter, downy and lighter on the underside. Its growth is rather slow for a rhododendron, its dense and harmonious vegetation and elegant foliage give it a real presence in the garden all year round. Nevertheless, it is in April-May that it stands out thanks to its remarkably generous flowering, with a refreshing colour. The bell-shaped flowers are grouped in 3 or 4 at the end of numerous stems, submerging the vegetation. Almost white when in bud, enclosed in a pink-purple calyx, they open in a lovely blue-lilac shade, lightening as they bloom while releasing long pink stamens.

This compact bush will be ideal in a border or in a container, provided it benefits from suitable soil and climate; "rhodos" are as attractive as they are exclusive!  Its mauve-blue colour pairs well with the pastel shades of hydrangeas (a wide choice, from white to pink, and blue), the colourful young shoots of pieris, as well as a whole range of red-purple leaves such as those found in the foliage of the Japanese maple 'Atropurpureum' or the flowers of Loropetalum chinense 'Fire Dance'. For a contemporary-inspired scene or a garden with a minimalist style, it is best to associate it with white flowers and foliage, such as a white Bleeding Heart and the coppery fronds of the autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora).