Rhododendron INKARHO Marcel Ménard

Rhododendron Inkharo Marcel Ménard, just like the other varieties in the Inkharo range, is grafted onto an amazing Rhododendron that tolerates clayey and slightly chalky soils much better. This old French variety dating back to 1924 remains exceptional due to its dark purple colour and its large round inflorescences, each flower delicately marked with ochre and dotted with brown. The compact bush has a lovely rounded habit and is adorned with particularly dark green foliage, which is attractive all year round. It will flower in April-May, creating a dazzling display in partially shaded borders. Fully hardy, it tolerates sun fairly well as long as the soil remains consistently moist. 

Rhododendrons encompass over 800 species in the heather family, grown for their massive and beautiful blooms. The history of the Inkharo Rhododendrons, plants that are a bit revolutionary and were 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 onto its extraordinary root system. The bushes obtained through 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 chalky. In summary, a soil that is suitable for hydrangeas.

The variety 'Marcel Ménard', obtained by hybridizers Croux et Fils in 1924, is one of the darkest cultivars, both in terms of flowers and foliage.

The bush is wider than it is tall, reaching approximately 1m (3ft) in height and 1.2m (4ft) in width at maturity. Under particularly favourable conditions, the bush can grow up to 1.5m (5ft) in height. The branches are abundantly covered with narrow evergreen foliage that is very dark and glossy. It is a slow-growing, but vigorous and hardy plant. In April-May, its spectacular flowering consists of corymbs of 15 beautiful large flowers! The buds, a dark purple, open into flowers of a warm violet reminiscent of petunias, beautifully adorned with orange-ochre areas called 'imperial' and dotted with brown at the base of the petals. The flower's throat also features beautiful white stamens.

It is high time for Rhododendrons to break free from the constraints of soil conditions: this is now possible with the new Inkharo varieties, which are no more difficult to cultivate than hydrangeas! The Rhododendron Inkharo Pierre Ménard will thrive in partial shade in a moist, fertile, loose soil without excess chalk. Reasonably hardy, it will reach its full potential in a humid and cool climate. It can be used as a stand-alone specimen or in mass plantings, especially with other acid-loving plants or simply with other flowering shrubs, the choice is vast! It can be paired with lilacs, with its violet flowers complementing their white, pink, purple, mauve, or violet clusters, stellata magnolias, and of course hydrangeas and camellias... It can also be planted in a beautiful pot on the terrace, taking care to regularly provide it with fertilizer and water (not too chalky) for watering.