Rhododendron vireya Aertrycke - Tropical Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Aertrycke' is a tropical variety with a fairly compact habit, which is very interesting due to its long flowering period. This evergreen shrub is adorned with beautiful dark green foliage with a satin-like surface, which contrasts particularly well with its light-coloured flowers. The clusters of single, tubular flowers with trumpet-shaped ends are a pale yellow mixed with salmon pink. This not very hardy, exotic Rhododendron should be grown in a pot with acidic soil, in a semi-shaded location, and brought indoors to protect it from frost in winter.

As a member of the Ericaceae family, which includes many garden favorites such as Kalmia or Mountain Laurel, Rhododendron is a very important group, with around 850 species, classified in botanical taxonomy into sections and subsections. Mainly known through the hardy species that adorn our gardens, Rhododendron is also well established in tropical regions. The Vireya section (named after a French pharmacist, Julien-Joseph Virey, 1775-1846) includes no less than 300 tropical species, often epiphytic, growing on trees like many orchids, while others are terrestrial, growing in the ground. Some of these species have been crossed with each other to create horticultural varieties. 'Aertrycke' is one of them, this semi-epiphytic variety forms a relatively compact bush, less than 1 metre in all directions, with relatively slow growth. Its evergreen foliage is composed of rather small leaves, 3 to 6 cm long, elliptical in shape, and dark green, with a slightly shiny surface. Its vegetation is quite dense, and its dark colour highlights the bright flowering. Gathered in clusters of 5 to 10 at the end of the branches, the flowers, carried by floral peduncles 2 to 3 cm long, have a trumpet-like shape. In the typical fashion of the Ericaceae family, they are gamopetalous, meaning "with fused petals". The base of the flower is therefore tubular, gradually widening to finally open widely, with the petals no longer fused at the tip. These rounded petals are a light yellow enhanced by a salmon pink throat, which is very attractive. A cluster of stamens emerges from the center of the corolla, displaying brown anthers that add a delicate punctuation. In tropical climates, Rhododendron vireya tend to bloom throughout the year, with a slightly more intense flowering during what corresponds to our spring and autumn. Aertrycke will therefore offer a long spring flowering, possibly with a second flush in autumn, especially if you take care to regularly remove faded flowers to prevent the plant from becoming exhausted.

Rhododendron 'Aertrycke' will be difficult to grow outdoors due to its tropical origin, although it can tolerate light frosts of around -3°C to -4°C. Enthusiasts in mild coastal areas can try growing it by installing a misting system to combat dry air. Such a system will also allow you to grow the magnificent Dicksonia antartica tree fern alongside it, which also appreciates mildness and humidity, and whose highly divided fronds are borne on a dark brown trunk.
Elsewhere, you can grow your Rhododendron in a pot, which has the advantage of allowing you to choose an acidic potting soil that is well-suited to its needs, instead of relying on the soil in your garden, and enable you to bring it indoors when temperatures drop below 8-10°C. During the growing season, you can place the pot on a terrace in a semi-shaded spot, but the plant will thrive better under the light shade of other plants, which will help maintain a certain level of humidity in the air through their transpiration. To create an exotic scene, plant the Giant Horsetail (Equisetum camtschatcense) in another pot, with its unique architectural appearance, featuring long green stems with black rings. When grown in a pot, there is no risk of it becoming invasive in the garden.