Rhododendron Fraseri

Rhododendron 'Fraseri' is a hybrid variety of Chinese azalea, resulting from cross-breeding between two species. It forms a medium-sized bush with deciduous light green foliage. In spring, numerous clusters of flowers appear in vibrant colours, ranging from pink to mauve-lilac. Its foliage often takes on beautiful warm colours in autumn. This beautiful bush is easy to grow. It tolerates non-burning sun and appreciates moist, humus-bearing, non-calcareous soil. This very hardy plant can be grown in many regions.

Azalea is a horticultural term still commonly used, but in botanical terms, azaleas are rhododendrons, with flowers that have 5 stamens instead of 10. They belong to the Ericaceae family, just like heathers, strawberry trees, and blueberries. They mostly prefer soils with an acidic tendency, devoid of limestone. They also like humid climates. Deciduous Chinese azaleas have less requirements than evergreen Japanese azaleas. They are quite hardy, tolerate sunny exposures and heat, and can even withstand occasionally dry soil (depending on the hybrids). Nevertheless, they give their best in cool climates with marked winters, planted in humus-bearing and fertile soil without limestone

'Fraseri' is a hybrid resulting from cross-breeding between Rhododendron canadense, a small Canadian botanical species with violet flowers and remarkable hardiness (-32°C (-25.6°F)), and R. molle subsp. japonicum, the well-known Azalea mollis. 'Fraseri' reaches a height of about 90cm (35in) and a width of 1.2m (4ft) in 10 years. At maturity, it reaches a height of 1.2m (4ft) with a spread of 1.5m (5ft). This compact bush starts flowering towards the end of April, before the first leaves emerge. It produces pretty flowers of about 4cm (2in) in diameter, formed by 5 elongated petals, with a colour somewhere between violet-pink and mauve-lilac. The flowers are gathered in large clusters at the ends of thin branches, and tend to turn more violet as the flowering progresses. The upper petal is punctuated with spots of dark purple, and a bouquet of stamens gracefully arched upwards emerges from the centre of the corolla. The flowers bloom for approximately 3 weeks, and are soon joined by the young leaves. These tender green leaves, measuring from 6 to 10cm (2 to 4in) in length, have an elongated lanceolate shape and weave through the flowers in May. In autumn, they generally take on beautiful warm shades of yellow-orange, before falling to the ground.

This bush tolerates the sun. However, it will fare better in hot climates if planted under light shade, as it does not like drought or excessively burning rays. It will also require some soil moisture in summer, so watering may be needed. It grows in humus-bearing, neutral to acidic soil that is not calcareous. While it appreciates moisture and even humidity, the soil must still be well-drained. This hybrid has inherited very good hardiness from its Canadian parent, thus being able to withstand frosts as low as -25°C (-13°F).

'Fraseri' is a graceful variety. It has a romantic charm and vibrant flowering that catches the eye in spring. You can plant it with other bushes that share the same needs and have staggered flowering periods to create an ornamental bed all year round. Stachyurus praecox will open the season in February-March with its string-like yellow bell-shaped flowers, and will end the season with its flamboyant red autumn foliage. To take over, the surprising Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Baby' will delight you with its large floral buds of a rare blue colour, which will open to reveal beautiful yellow flowers. For summer blooms, choose from the countless varieties of hydrangeas. Finally, nothing beats an autumn camellia in pink, red, or white to close the season.