Rhododendron saxifragoides (V)

Shrubs Alpine Rockery

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A slow-growing, cushion-forming tender shrub to 15cm high, with small, narrow, glossy dark green leaves. Flowers are red or pink, tubular to trumpet-shaped, and produced singly or in pairs on stems up to 10cm above the leaves. This species can be a challenging plant to grow, but it has contributed to a number of successful hybrids which are more common in cultivation

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side, and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes
Name Status: Unresolved
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: Vireya rhododendrons are tropical varieties which have dark, glossy green leaves and a variety of strongly fragrant flower shapes. They can be identified by their star-shaped scales underneath the leaves, winged seeds and absence of blue-toned flowers
Plant Range: New Guinea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass, in a greenhouse or conservatory in an ericaceous (lime-free) potting mix that holds moisture well. Position in bright, filtered light, keeping temperatures as consistent as possible, and always above 8°C and below 25°C. Keep moist; in its natural environment this plant grows in boggy conditions. Maintain high levels of humidity but ensure air circulation to minimise fungal problems. See rhododendron cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, rust diseases, honey fungus and Phytophthora