Rhododendron INKARHO Happydendron Pushy Purple

Rhododendron Happydendron Pushy Purple is part of a new series of varieties with brightly coloured flowers, grafted like all INKARHO rhododendrons on a much more tolerant plant in relation to clayey, loamy or slightly alkaline soils. Superb in the garden or in a container, 'Pushy Purple' is an evergreen bush that stands out for its brilliantly tricoloured spring flowering, boldly combining lilac purple with white and yellow. An evergreen bush as tolerant as a hydrangea, decorative throughout the year, hardy and easy to grow.

Rhododendrons encompass more than 800 species of the heath family, cultivated for the beauty of their impressive flowering. The history of Inkarho Rhododendrons, slightly revolutionary plants recently presented at the Chelsea Flower Show, began in Germany over 20 years ago. The discovery of a rhododendron naturally growing in a chalk quarry led to the grafting of different varieties on 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, provided they are loose, fertile, moist and not excessively alkaline. In summary, any soil that is suitable for hydrangeas.

Launched in 2019 at the Chelsea Flower Show, 'Happydendron Pushy Purple' is a German creation that belongs to the category of large-flowered hybrids. It forms a medium to modest sized bush, with a rounded and branched habit, almost as wide as it is tall. Its growth is rather slow, generally reaching 1.35 to 1.45 m (4 to 5ft) in all directions at the age of 10. Its evergreen leaves in winter, a beautiful dark green colour, are elliptical in shape and cover the plant well. They have a velvety underside. From mid-May to early June, its abundant flowering submerges the bush: grouped in corymbs, superb deep purple-red buds open into very pale pink flowers adorned with a prominent yellow-green spot and bordered with deep mauve pink. The overall effect is violet-mauve, but in reality, each flower displays 3 separate and distinct colours. On each flower, the purple-red colour gradually turns into mauve purple, creating a beautiful multicoloured effect on the bush throughout the flowering period.

It is high time for Rhododendrons to break free from ericaceous soil: this is now possible with the new Inkarho varieties! The Rhododendron Inkarho Happydendron Pushy Purple is relatively tolerant in terms of exposure; we recommend planting it in non-burning sunlight or partial shade, if possible facing East where it will benefit from morning sun while being protected from excessive heat. In the garden or in a container, with its abundant and remarkably coloured flowering, it will easily enhance a shaded space. Much more tolerant than usual rhododendrons, it associates, in a more traditional way, with many other flowering shrubs, not necessarily in ericaceous soil: hydrangeas, mock oranges, Japanese quinces, butterfly bushes, abelias or autumn camellias. Japanese anemones will also make good companions, as well as foxgloves, in woodland areas.