Hellikki Rhododendron
Rhododendron 'Hellikki'
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: Finnish Rhododendron
Group/Class: Marjatta Hybrids
Description:
A relatively new broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring sumptuous dark red flowers in spring, coarse dark foliage and a dense mounded habit, quite hardy; absolutely must have well-drained, highly acidic and organic soil, use plenty of peat moss when planting
Ornamental Features
Hellikki Rhododendron is blanketed in stunning clusters of lightly-scented fuchsia trumpet-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It has green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.
Landscape Attributes
Hellikki Rhododendron is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Hellikki Rhododendron is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Hellikki Rhododendron will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.
