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Rhododendron Rubicon

Rhododendron Rubicon

$20.00
$20.00
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.
Pot Size/Grade

Rhododendron ‘Rubicon’ is one of those reliable “true red” rhodos that earns its spot in a feature bed. It forms a compact, rounded evergreen shrub with excellent dark, glossy foliage, then in spring it loads up with tight, dense trusses of deep velvety/cardinal red flowers, usually with small darker spotting in the throat. It’s a great pick for your “Garden Styler” customers who want bold colour but still want a plant that stays neat and looks good year-round

  • Expected 5 Year Height 1.2 M Width 2.0 M

Is Rhododendron Rubicon suitable for my garden?

Rhododendron Rubicon is best suited in a position that gets

  • Partial shade
  • Full sun

Rhododendron Rubicon is

  • Wind Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant
  • Flowering
  • Cold hardy
  • Evergreen

Rhododendron Rubicon will thrive in soil that is

  • Free draining
  • Normal
  • Nutrient rich

How to establish your Rhododendron Rubicon?

Light: Best in morning sun / part shade. It can handle a bit more sun than many rhodos if the soil stays evenly moist and it’s not blasted by hot afternoon sun.

Shelter: Protect from drying wind (wind is what usually roughs up rhodo foliage in the South Island).

Soil: Plant Rhododendron ‘Rubicon’ in acidic, organic, free-draining soil. If you’re on clay, mound the planting area and mix in bark/leaf mould so water doesn’t sit around the roots.

Planting depth: Keep the rootball slightly proud of the surrounding soil—rhododendrons are shallow-rooted and hate being buried.

Watering (first 12 months): Water deeply during dry spells (especially the first summer). Consistent moisture = faster establishment and better bud set for next spring.

Mulch: Mulch 5–8cm with pine bark/leaf mould to keep roots cool and moisture steady (keep mulch off the stem).

How to maintain your Rhododendron Rubicon once established?

Deadhead: After flowering, remove spent trusses to tidy the plant and help it put energy into growth rather than seed.

Pruning: If you need to shape Rhododendron ‘Rubicon’, do it straight after flowering so you don’t cut off next season’s buds. Most years it only needs a light tidy.

Feeding: In early spring, use a slow-release fertiliser for acid-lovers (rhododendron/camellia type). Avoid heavy nitrogen feeds (like lawn fertiliser) near rhodos.

Winter tip: Even though it’s hardy to around −15°C, the real nuisance is often cold + wind + winter sun causing leaf scorch—mulch and shelter make a big difference
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