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Rhododendron Winsome
$10.00
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’ is a compact, dwarf evergreen shrub famous for its vibrant salmon-to-cerise pink, bell-shaped spring blossoms and striking coppery-red new foliage. Maturing to about 1 m × 1 m, it thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade.
Growth Habit: Dense, bushy, and rounded. It is relatively slow-growing, typically maturing to roughly 1 m to 1.5 m (3 to 5 feet) in height and spread over 10 years.
Foliage: Evergreen, with narrow, pointed, dark green leaves. A standout feature is its beautiful coppery-bronze or reddish new growth.
Flowers: Blooms freely in mid-spring. The red buds open to glowing, wavy-edged, bell-shaped flowers (often described as salmon pink, rose-pink, or cerise) that hang in loose, graceful clusters.
Parentage: A hybrid crossed from R. ‘Humming Bird’ and R. griersonianum, bred in the UK in 1930 by Lord Aberconway.
Soil Requirements: Prefers humus-rich, loose, well-aerated, acidic soil (optimal pH of 4.5 – 6.0). It is important to keep the soil moist but free-draining.
Light Preference: Thrives in dappled shade or partial shade, though it can handle full sun if the soil is consistently moist. Protect from strong, drying winds and harsh midday sun to prevent the leaf edges from browning.
Planting: Plant shallowly, as it has a fine, shallow root system. Mulching annually with organic matter (like pine needles or leaf mold) helps keep the roots cool and damp without burying them too deep.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is required. Deadhead spent flowers after blooming and trim lightly only if needed to maintain the shrub’s symmetry.
Hardiness: Generally hardy down to temperatures around -18°C (0°F).
