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Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Kalinka'

Rhododendron yakushimanum Kalinka
Yakushima Rhododendron, Yakushimanum Rhododendron

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A hybrid of the species yakushimanum, with a compact, rounded, sturdy habit and particularly aesthetic and very rounded evergreen foliage. The flowering from May to June blooms from pink-red buds and offers variations of lilac and soft pink, which gradually fade to pale pink. The large flowers are maculate with yellow-green. To be planted in an ericaceous soil bed or a large container, in partial shade or even in non-burning sunlight.

Flower size

5 cm

Height at maturity

1.20 m

Spread at maturity

1.20 m

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -18°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

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Best planting time March to April

Recommended planting time February to May, September to October

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time May

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

The Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Kalinka' is a dwarf hybrid with a very rounded shape. It produces large flowers, each composed of more than 10 florets. The red-pink buds open into a pink colour that varies from lilac to light pink, with yellow-green spots. Highly aesthetic and floriferous, this robust variety develops beautiful dark green leaves, particularly rounded. It is highly resistant to snow and cold and can be grown in pots or small shaded beds.

Rhododendrons are plants from the Ericaceae family, just like heathers, and they prefer soils that are mostly free of limestone, with an acidic tendency, and humid climates. The Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Kalinka' is a German hybrid created by Hans Hachmann in 1983. It forms a dense bush with a rounded habit, reaching about 1m in all directions after 10 years of cultivation with a relatively slow growth. Its evergreen leaves are dark green and matte, with an elliptical shape that covers the plant well. They have a very fuzzy, reddish-brown underside. In May-June, its remarkably abundant flowering overwhelms the bush: grouped in corymbs, the rose-red flower buds open into large flowers with silky, undulating petals ranging from lilac pink to soft pink. They are adorned with a very light yellow-green spot. Over time, the flowers fade to a pale pink shade.

The yakushimanum hybrids have excellent cold resistance and withstand temperatures as low as -15°C or even -20°C. They thrive best in semi-shaded locations but can tolerate more sun if it is not intense and the soil remains moist. The Rhododendron 'Kalinka' is perfect for enhancing a shaded corner of the garden, as its flowering is generous and vibrant. It harmonizes well with plants of similar conditions, such as ferns, hostas, Pieris, Kalmias, Azaleas, Japanese Maples, or other rhododendrons of the same type, creating magnificent compositions of textures and colours in spring. For potted cultivation, it is crucial to maintain regular watering with non-limestone water and to provide fertilizers suitable for acidophilous plants.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m

Spread at maturity 1.20 m

Habit Irregular, bushy

Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink

Flowering time May

Inflorescence Corymb

Flower size 5 cm

Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen

Foliage colour dark green

Foliage description Elliptical leaves with pointed apex, 8-10 cm long, with a very fuzzy reddish-brown underside, of tough texture, evergreen.

Botanical data

Genus

Rhododendron

Species

yakushimanum

Cultivar

Kalinka

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Yakushima Rhododendron, Yakushimanum Rhododendron

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 22344

Planting and care

Plant the Rhododendron yakushimanum Kalinka in a semi-shaded position, protected from cold and drying winds, in a fresh, humus-bearing and light soil, with a tendency towards acidity or neutrality. Like all ericaceous plants, it does not tolerate limestone soils or heavy soils saturated with water in winter. If the soil remains moist in summer, this rhododendron will also tolerate exposure to non-burning sunlight.

Dig a hole with a volume three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-limestone water and plant the bush at the level of the collar in a mixture composed of 1/4 compost, leaf compost, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system. As a result, they are sensitive to long periods of drought. That is why soil enriched with humus and abundant watering during dry periods is recommended. In addition, this root system is not very strong, so it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) when planting. Apply a mulch of crushed pine bark at the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture while preserving an acidic pH.

Maintenance consists of removing faded flowers in summer and cleaning the bushes of dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils that eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, and the famous "rhododendron beetle" does not often cause severe damage. Effective organic solutions exist today against weevils. Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendron indicates poor assimilation of iron in the soil and causes premature death of the plant. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or a deeply planted root ball can also explain the phenomenon.