Rhododendron ferrugineum
| Rhododendron ferrugineum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rhododendron ferrugineum (common name: alpenrose)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[1]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter.
Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[2].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[3]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[3]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[1]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[3].
This species grows better in the midlands and north Britain, disliking the hotter conditions in the south[4].
Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[1], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[3]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[1].
Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[1].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: Europe.
Habitat: Mountain slopes in open woods or scrub, often dominant in the dwarf shrub zone[5].
Medicinal: The flowers, leaves and the galls are antirheumatic, diaphoretic and diuretic[6][7][8]. It is used in the treatment of certain forms of arthritis and rheumatism, but can cause diarrhoea and vomiting so should only be used with expert supervision[7].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[6]. It is used in treating a variety of complaints involving flatulence[6].
Usage: Plants can be grown as ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[9].
Some substances in this plant have shown herbicidal activity, though more research needs to be carried out[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves and the galls are poisonous[8]. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities[10].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.