Rhododendron dauricum Praecox

Rhododendron 'Praecox' is a dwarf cultivar that owes its success to its particularly early and abundant lavender flowering. Among the first to bloom, it enlivens the garden from the end of winter, accompanying narcissus and oriental hyacinths. Compact and bushy, this adorable evergreen bush carries small clusters of large flowers in a pinkish mauve shade, almost overshadowing its elegant little foliage of beautiful bright green. With its compact growth, generosity, and early flowering, 'Praecox' stands out as one of the most beautiful ericaceous bushes for the terrace or small spaces. Rhododendrons require a light, fresh, limestone-free soil and a humid climate to reach their full potential.

Derived from the cross between Rhododendron ciliatum and R. dauricum, Rhododendron 'Praecox' was awarded an Award of Garden Merit in England by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It belongs to the heath family, almost exclusively confined to acidic soils. It is a small-sized, bushy and highly branched variety, slightly spreading, rarely exceeding 1.20m (3ft 11in) in all directions at maturity. Its growth is slow, so that at the age of 10, it will measure on average 80cm (31.5in) in all directions. The branches bear small persistent, ovate, leathery, aromatic leaves that are dark green and shiny on the upper side, lighter on the reverse. With its dense and harmonious vegetation and elegant foliage, this bush has a real presence in the garden all year round. It stands out from mid-March, sometimes from the end of February in mild climates, with a remarkably generous flowering in bright colours. The funnel-shaped flowers, 4 to 5cm (1.6 to 2in) wide, are grouped in clusters of 3 to 5 at the tips of numerous stems, submerging the vegetation. Starting as pink-violet buds, they open into a lovely pink-mauve tone while they release long pink stamens with white anthers.

This compact bush is ideal as a border plant or in a container, provided it has suitable soil and climate; "rhodos" are as attractive as they are exclusive! Its pink-mauve colour blends well with the pastel tones of hydrangeas (a wide choice, from white to pink, passing through blue), the colourful young shoots of Pieris, as well as a whole range of shades of red-purple and garnet, such as the foliage of Japanese maple 'Atropurpureum' or the flowers of Loropetalum chinense 'Fire Dance'. For a contemporary-inspired scene or a minimalist garden, associate it rather with white flowers and foliage, such as a white Bleeding Heart and the foliage of the copper fern (Dryopteris erythrosora). Mixed with varieties in matching tones, dwarf Rhododendrons also make charming small hedges or large borders at the front of larger shrub beds.