Rhododendron 'Tropic Glow' (V) | rhododendron 'Tropic Glow'

Shrubs

An evergreen shrub up to 2.5m high, with elliptic, leathery dark green leaves. This Vireya group hybrid is frost tender and usually grown under glass in the UK. Flowers are produced in flushes two or three times a year, bearing clusters of 4-6 funnel-shaped, rich orange flowers, with golden yellow throats and contrasting dark anthers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: 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): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
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: Accepted
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in an open, free draining, slightly acidic potting mix, in bright filtered light. Do not overpot, these plants often perform better with slightly restricted roots. Maintain temperatures between 7°C and 24°C. Water thoroughly in the growing season, preferably with rainwater, allowing compost to almost dry between waterings. Feed in spring, using a half-strength liquid solution in two feeds a few weeks apart. Red tinting on the leaves in winter may be a sign of cold, move the plant to a warmer place.

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pinch out to maintain compact growth while the plant is young; this may affect flowering in the early stages but will improve it later on. Pruning is not usually required but if necessary, should be done in stages to allow the plant to recover

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, rust diseases and Phytophthora