Rhododendron Gomer Waterer

The Rhododendron 'Gomer Waterer' is an old variety, but still highly valued for its beautiful late spring flowering. The pink buds fade to pale pink flowers, with a truly romantic charm. This medium-sized evergreen bush has dark green leaves that contrast well with the flowers. This Rhododendron thrives in partially shaded areas with non-chalky and moist soil. 

Rhododendrons are plants from the Ericaceae family, which includes a hundred genera, such as popular heathers, blueberries, or strawberry trees. Others, less known, deserve to be planted more: Kalmias with their superb flowering, Enkianthus with delicate bell-shaped flowers, or Oxydendrum with flamboyant autumn colours. These plants mostly prefer soils with an acidic tendency, as well as humid and cool climates.
This 'Gomer Waterer' hybrid is a creation of the famous English breeder Anthony Waterer, in whose honour a spirea was named. This old variety, named in 1906, is a cross-breeding between 2 Rhododendron species: the R. catawbiense, native to the United States, and the R. griffithianum from the Himalayas. Combining the best of both worlds, it is not surprising that this hybrid obtained a trophy from the prestigious RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) in 1993, rewarding in particular its "excellent adaptability to appropriate growing conditions", as well as its stability in terms of shape, colour, and resistance to diseases and insects. This Rhododendron has a moderate growth, reaching about 1.80m (3.3ft) in height at maturity, with a width of 1.60m (3.3ft). Its medium-sized leaves (about 10cm (3.9in) long) are dark green, forming a pleasant contrast with the pale inflorescences which consist of pale pink flowers, arising from dark pink buds. Shaped like trumpets measuring from 4 to 8cm (3.1in) long, they are grouped in corymbs that bloom at the ends of the branches. In young plants, these large inflorescences almost hide the foliage, creating a superb mass effect in late spring (May-June). This Rhododendron has an additional quality, it remains dense and rounded, requiring no pruning.

The Rhododendron 'Gomer Waterer' is a flowering plant and perfectly hardy, down to approximately -20°C (-4°F). Although they prefer partial shade, hybrid Rhododendrons can tolerate morning sun as long as it is not scorching, and their base remains cool. This bush can be planted in isolation, next to large trees, or in a mass planting. Its romantic appearance, due to the old-fashioned charm of its flowers, goes well with clumps of Hostas with their decorative foliage, as well as heathers and Pieris with their delicate little bell-shaped flowers. A beautiful Japanese Maple 'Jordan' with yellow foliage in spring and multicoloured leaves in autumn will create a tasteful contrast with the dark vegetation of the Rhododendron. The Chinese Azalea 'Fragrant Star' with its delicately scented white flowers will look well in front of our Rhododendron 'Gomer Waterer', as well as Skimmias.