Rhododendron Virginia Richards

Rhododendron 'Virginia Richards' is undoubtedly a delightful rhododendron that will quickly become the star of an ericaceous bed or a balcony! Of medium stature, with a compact growth habit and dressed in dense and glossy foliage, this variety offers an extraordinary flowering in April-May: its pink buds are accompanied by flowers that gradually transition from salmon pink to pale yellow, punctuated with a redder heart, forming a tenderly multi-coloured bouquet. A natural growth habit, beautiful evergreen foliage, and marvellous flowering are the assets of 'Virginia Richards', which will fully showcase its potential in a light, moist soil devoid of limestone, under a humid climate. 

Resulting from the crossbreeding of several species, the Rhododendron 'Virginia Richards' is a plant from the Ericaceae family, almost exclusively adapted to acidic soils. It is a relatively hardy hybrid variety with large flowers. It forms a bushy and well-branched bush, rather rounded, not exceeding 1 m (3 ft) in all directions, and bears ovate to elliptical evergreen leaves, shiny green, fuzzy and lighter on the underside. Its growth is quite slow, its growth habit naturalistic, and its foliage elegant, so it has a real presence in the garden all year round. Nevertheless, it is in April-May that it stands out thanks to its remarkably generous and rich flowering with warm and soft nuances. The bell-shaped flowers, 11 cm (4 in) in diameter, are grouped in clusters of 12 at the end of numerous stems. From fuchsia pink buds, they open into a warm pink tone gradually turning to orange, apricot, and peach pink, lightening at full bloom to cream yellow with a red centre. 

This modest-sized bush will be ideal as a border plant or in a container, provided it benefits from suitable soil and climate; "rhodos" are as charming as they are exclusive! Its colour blends well with the pastel shades of hydrangeas (a wide choice, from white to pink, and even blue), the colourful young shoots of Pieris, and red-purple and garnet hues, such as those of the foliage of Japanese maple 'Atropurpureum' or the flowers of Loropetalum chinense 'Fire Dance'. Its warm-toned flowering complements that of mauve rhododendrons like 'Moerheim'. For a scene inspired by contemporary style 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 foliage of the copper fern (Dryopteris erythrosora).