There are far too many Rhododendron hybrids out there for me to easily figure out which unlabeled varieties have ended up in my yard. I consider these shrubs family favorites because my parents bought a house in Kent, Washington that had many different varieties planted all around. My job was to snap off the green seed pods from dozens of giant shrubs–it was a big, sticky, messy job! Certainly it is a testament to the beauty of these plants that after such torture in my youth, I still love them.
We have two good-sized purple rhodies planted under/near the picture window in the living room. I think the variety might be Purple Splendor, but so many of them look alike. It is a pleasing, rich tone, but not heavy and dark like some of the purple clones. Also on the front of the house in front of the bedroom window is a large-flowered pink clone. We also have three rhodies in the woodland garden. The neighbors have a large shrub on our fenceline, as well, so we get to enjoy those flowers from branches that fine there way on our side.
Most experts now agree that deadheading isn’t worth the time and trouble! Is it possible my parents knew that and sent me out there, anyway, just to keep me busy?
My 2020 plans for these plants is to keep them watered, as needed, and prune them right after flowering to hopefully keep them contained a bit, but still blooming big next spring.