Rhododendron 'PERCY WISEMAN' rhododendron (Yakushimanum group)

Percy Wiseman rhododendron is a fearless tough cookie proven by decades. This beautiful Yakushimanum classic from 1969 was bred by Anthony Waterer from England and has not come out of fashion ever since. Its enchanting flowers play with colours like chameleon: the bright pink buds open into pale pink flowers with pale apricot-beige centre and faint golden flare with dots. It blooms profusely and reliably every year. Percy Wiseman grows slowly into a very dense and compact shrub without defoliated lower branches. Its size usually does not exceed 1 m in height and can be a bit bigger in spread which makes it perfect for any garden, even a small one. It copes well with full sun as well as somewhat less than ideal soil.

Tests proved that deadheading of these hybrids does not influence formation of flower buds for the following season. However, as these plants are slow growers making short new branches, deadheading significantly improves their appearance since the new shoots cannot cover the unsightly dry seedpods that followed the flowers.

Yakushimanum rhododendrons grow slowly, forming compact mounds. Their mature leaves usually have indumentum of various colours on the undersides. They thrive in full sun and partial shade, they can take full shade, too, but is not ideal. The soil must be reasonably fertile, well-drained, cool, constantly moist, and of low pH (6 or less) = acidic. They do not require nitrogen but need iron and phosphorus. Their roots spread outwards and are very shallow, therefore never plant them too deep. When planting, mix good, lime-free compost with quality peat or leaf mould, and add some slow-release fertilizer. To conserve moisture and to suppress weeds keep them mulched all year round. Hardy to min.-27 °C (USDA zone 5b), possibly a little more.

Last update 23-01-2009; 15-01-2024