Rhododendron russatum Lauretta

The Lauretta Rhododendron russatum forms a compact evergreen bush. It brings us delightful bluish-purple flowering in clusters of small tightly packed flowers in May. Its dark green and glossy foliage consists of oval leaves. It has a compact and upright habit. It is a very hardy variety, so beautiful for those who love blue flowers, that it can be planted as a standalone plant. It is also perfectly suited for a flower bed, especially since its magnificent flowering is short-lived, but its foliage can provide a beautiful presence all year round.

Rhododendrons are plants from the Ericaceae family, which includes a hundred genera, some of which are widespread in our gardens. Heather, Kalmia, Andromeda, Leucothoe, Oxydendrum or Gaultheria are valuable in ornamental beds, while Strawberry trees and especially Blueberries delight us with their fruits. The vast majority of them prefer limestone-free, acidic soils and humid climates.

The Lauretta variety is derived from the botanical species Rhododendron russatum, native to Yunnan and Szechwan in China. It is one of the most richly coloured species. Perfectly hardy, its flowers vary in intensity of colouration and in the proportion of blue and violet, with some almost indigo blue. This species received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England in 1927.

The Lauretta variety forms a dense bush with a rounded habit, reaching 80cm (32in) in height and 1.1m (4ft) in width at maturity. Its evergreen leaves are dark green and have an elliptical shape, slender and leathery with prominent veins. In May, but only for 15 days, this dwarf bush is literally covered with bluish-purple coloured flowers, grouped in terminal corymbs composed of 3 to 6 flowers. A special moment in your garden.

Hardy down to -24°C (-11.2°F), the Lauretta Rhododendron russatum appreciates a partly shaded exposure. With slow growth, this acid-loving bush prefers moist, humus-rich and well-drained soils. It is ideal for border planting, in a pot or even as a standalone plant in a small garden. In a bed, this miniature Rhododendron occupies the foreground, in front of acid-loving plants with a taller habit, like the beautiful Kalmias or Mountain Laurels, with their beautiful dark green foliage and pretty little flowers in May-June. It also thrives in the light shade of a Oxydendrum arboreum, with its long clusters of white bell-shaped flowers in summer and its stunning autumn foliage. And 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.