Rhododendron Cosmopolitan

The 'Cosmopolitan' hybrid Rhododendron is a very beautiful Rhododendron that will quickly become the star of a ericaceous bed or a balcony! This variety has dense vegetation and a well-rounded bushy habit. The bush produces a mass of small flowers, soft pink with purple markings in the throat in April-May. Decorative throughout the year, this evergreen shrub is grown in ericaceous soil, in partial shade or exposed to morning sun if the soil remains moist. A reliable choice!

Rhododendrons are plants of the Ericaceae family, just like heathers, preferring chalk-free, acidic soils and damp climates. The result of a cross, the Rhododendron 'Cosmopolitan' forms a dense, rounded bush, reaching about 1.50 m (4.92 ft) in height and spread. It is fairly slow growing. Its shiny medium green, evergreen leaves are elliptical in shape and cover the plant well. They have a velvety underside. In April-May, depending on the climate, an abundance of flowers overwhelms the shrub: grouped in voluminous corymbs, its intense pink flower buds open, offering beautiful soft pink flowers with strongly marked, dark pink throats. Nectar-rich, they are much frequented by pollinating insects.

The Rhododendron 'Cosmopolitan' is a floriferous plant and is very hardy, down to -15°C (5 °F) or even -20°C (-4 °F). Even though they prefer partial shade, hybrid Rhododendrons can tolerate a moderate morning sun provided their base remains cool and moist. 'Cosmopolitan', with its abundant of bright flowers, will easily dress up a shady corner of the garden, in the company of ferns, blue or variegated hostas, Pieris, heathers, Kalmias, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples, or other rhododendrons from the same group to create superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Rhododendrons can also be used to create beautiful hedges, on their own or combined possibly with camellias or mimosas (in mild climates). Cultivating them in containers requires regular watering with non-alkaline water and specific fertilizer for ericaceous plants.