Rhododendron Wilgens Ruby

Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby' is a rather old hybrid still highly appreciated for its vigour and the generosity of its shining flowering. Wider than it is tall, dressed in light green foliage, this bush is covered in spring with brilliant balls of almost pure cherry red flowers that catch the eye. A striking colour that radiates in the partially shaded areas of the garden or on the terrace. Attractive all year round, of modest size and radiant when in bloom, this Rhododendron will fulfil all its promises in a non-limestone and humid climate. Combine it with white, violet or purple varieties!

Rhododendrons are plants from the ericaceae family, just like heathers, preferring in their vast majority soils devoid of limestone, with an acidic tendency, and humid climates. Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby'  is a Dutch variety dating back to 1951. It belongs to a group of hardy hybrid rhododendrons with large flowers. Its habit is dense, rounded, and wider than it is tall. At maturity, its average dimensions will reach 1.25m (4ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in width. Its growth is rather slow. Its evergreen foliage is quite unusual and well-filled. It consists of narrow and long, tough, slightly inwardly folded leaves along the vein. Their colour, rather light green with a glossy finish, enhances the red colour of the flowers. Flowering usually takes place in April-May, lasting about 3 weeks. It is remarkably abundant and overwhelms the bush:  beautiful funnel-shaped satin flowers open in round clusters. Their colour is an almost pure red, barely speckled with brown at the throat. The petals open onto pink stamens.

The Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby' is a flowering plant and perfectly hardy, down to -20°C. Even though they prefer partial shade, hybrid Rhododendrons can tolerate the morning sun as long as it is not scorching and their base remains moist. 'Wilgen's Ruby', with its compact habit, and abundant and highly vivid flowering, allows it to catch the eye in partially shaded spaces of the garden and bring a beautiful touch of colour to the balcony or terrace. It can be planted as a focal point in a bed of ferns, blue or variegated hostas. It pairs well with Pieris, Heathers, Kalmias, Skimmia, Azaleas and Japanese Maples, as well as other rhododendrons from the same group to form superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Rhododendrons can also be used to create magnificent hedges, alone or with camellias or mimosas (in mild climates) for example. Cultivating in containers requires regular watering with non-limestone water and specific fertilizers for acid-loving plants.