Rhododendron 'ORAKEL' (syn. Hachmann's Orakel) rhododendron
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
1-1,5m
usual width
1-1,5m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5b (down to -27°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Rhododendrons are reliable, beautifully flowering, evergreen shrubs of variable origin: S.W. China, Himalayas, Northern America, and even Europe. The original species were hybridized several times for better performance so in the 1950´s there were more than 10,000 cultivars registered, and the number keeps increasing.
Description of the plant:
Orakel means ‘Prophecy' in German and it is a name for a fantastic variety of rhododendron bred by Holger Hachmann in 1998. It is a cross between Pfauenauge and Galaxis, launched in 2009. Its beautiful flowers have wavy margins, they are a warm tone of blueberry smoothie while the upper lobe is decorated with a dark blackberry blotch. Sounds yummy, doesn’t it? Individual flowers are 7-9 cm across, and one truss can accommodate 10-20 of them. Flowering begins in late May and continues until mid-June. The evergreen leaves are dark green, elongated, narrowly oval, partly glossy. Orakel grows upright into a handsome shrub about 100 cm high and wide ate the age of 10 years.For a better-looking plant deadhead where possible. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant them too deep. The soil must be acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), rich in humus, cool and always moist. Ideal soil mixture is peat with lime-free, light garden soil topped with leaf-mould. It is hardy to abt. -26°C (USDA zone 5b) and may withstand a few degrees lower (more trials pending).
Last update 15-01-2024
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