Rhododendron Belkanto Inkarho - Hybrid Rhododendron

Rhododendron Easydendron Belkanto Inkarho is a hybrid variety that opens its orange buds into delicate flowers with fringed edges, creamy yellow with a blush of pink, speckled with green. It is part of the Inkharo range, which includes hybrids that are more tolerant of limestone and clay in the soil. Very hardy and semi-early, it forms a bush as wide as it is tall, with evergreen leaves of medium green. This selection has received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England. In a large flowerbed, in a hedge or at the edge of trees, Belkanto can thrive in soil other than peaty soil, such as slightly limestone or slightly heavy soil.

Rhododendrons are plants in the heath family, just like heathers. The story of the Inkarho Rhododendrons, somewhat revolutionary plants, began in Germany over 20 years ago. The discovery of a rhododendron naturally growing in a chalk quarry made it possible to graft different varieties onto its extraordinary root system. The bushes obtained by this method tolerate a wide range of soils with a pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5, as long as they are loose, fertile, moist, and not excessively limestone-rich. In summary, a soil that would suit hydrangeas. The Belkanto cultivar forms a large, branching bush with a dense habit, reaching approximately 1.20 m in height at the age of 10 years and 1.20 m in width, under good growing conditions, in open ground. Its growth is rather slow. Its large leaves are elliptical, medium green and glossy on the upper surface, with a lighter, downy underside. They persist through winter. Around mid-May, for approximately 3 weeks, large flower buds bloom at the ends of the branches in large spherical clusters, composed of petals fringed along the edges. The centre of the flower is speckled with green and has long orange stamens. The petals are creamy yellow, washed with shades of pink and peach.

Rhododendron Belkanto is a very hardy plant, down to -15° C, at least. It is relatively tolerant in terms of exposure, we recommend planting it in non-scorching sun or partial shade, preferably to the east where it benefits from morning sun while being protected from excessive heat. In the garden, with its abundant and delicate flowering, it easily dresses up a shaded area of the garden, alongside Ferns, blue or variegated Hostas, Pieris, shrubby Heathers, Kalmias, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples, or other rhododendrons from the same group to create stunning patchworks of textures and colours. More versatile, it can also be planted alongside many other flowering shrubs, not necessarily acid-loving: hydrangeas, mock oranges, Japanese quinces, butterfly bushes, abelias, or autumn camellias. Japanese Anemones will also be good companions, as well as bugbanes and foxgloves, in woodland areas.