Share your pictures? Hide split images

Rhododendron keleticum Lilly Bell Dream

Rhododendron keleticum Lilly Bell® Dream
Rhododendron

Be the first to leave a review

Shipping country:

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

A cultivar from the Lilly Bell series forms a miniature rhododendron with violet azalea flowers. Its evergreen, ovate foliage is particularly small. The flowering in May-June completely covers it. It is an ideal plant in a pot or as a border, versatile, that tolerates sun and partial shade as long as the soil remains moist. It is ideal to mulch it.

Flower size

5 cm

Height at maturity

40 cm

Spread at maturity

60 cm

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -23°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March, October

Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time May to June

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

The Rhododendron keleticum Lilly Bell 'Dream' belongs to a new series of miniature cultivars, perfect for pots or borders, very floriferous and versatile. It produces a violet azalea flowering in May and June, completely covering the plant. Its evergreen foliage comprises small elliptical leaves, forming a rounded and neat tuft without needing maintenance. It also thrives in borders, full sun or partial shade, and moist and acidic soil.

The Rhododendron keleticum Lilly Bell® 'Dream' belongs to the Ericaceae family. It is derived from the botanical species Rhododendron keleticum. The Lilly Bell® series was introduced by the German nursery Hellwig in 2015. It consists of dwarf selections of existing species, which are Rhododendron campylogynum, R. keleticum, R. repens, R. ludolwi, and R. impeditum. These wild species have in common their dwarf size, a maximum height of 60 cm (24in), originating from China, and presenting foliage and flowering similar to azaleas. The Rhododendron keleticum is a montane species that grows at 3,000 to 3,900 m (10 to 13ft). Its growth is extremely slow: 2 to 3 cm (1in) per year! Its leaves are particularly small. Elliptical to lanceolate in shape, with an acuminate tip, they measure only 0.6 to 2 cm (1in) long and 0.3 to 1 cm (1in) wide. With a beautiful dark green colour, their surface is shiny, giving them a pronounced ornamental character.

The 'Dream' cultivar forms a dense cushion of small foliage, reaching a height of 40 cm (16in) and a width of 60 cm (24in) at maturity. The evergreen foliage is medium to dark green, very small and oval. Flowering begins in May and lasts a few weeks. The individual violet flowers are funnel or bell-shaped, solitary or clustered in small clusters. It is resistant to frost down to -23°C (1°F).

The Rhododendron Lilly Bell 'Dream' tolerates full sun or partial shade. It requires an acidic, fertile, well-drained substrate or soil that remains moist to wet. Plant it in a planter or pot, as well as in garden borders or as a ground cover. Pair it with other plants that prefer acidic or neutral soil, such as small Azaleas, ferns, hostas, colourful Corydalis, and Heuchera in partially shaded areas. Container cultivation requires regular watering with non-limestone water and specific fertilisers for acid-loving plants.

Rhododendron keleticum Lilly Bell Dream in pictures

Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 40 cm

Spread at maturity 60 cm

Habit Irregular, bushy

Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour violet

Flowering time May to June

Inflorescence Solitary

Flower size 5 cm

Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen

Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Rhododendron

Species

keleticum

Cultivar

Lilly Bell® Dream

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Rhododendron

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 20360

Planting and care

Plant the Rhododendron Lilly Bell 'Dream' in full sun or partial shade, protected from cold and drying winds, in a humus-bearing and light soil, with a tendency towards acidity (pH between 4.5 and 6). The soil should never dry out without being waterlogged. This variety dislikes heatwaves and dry atmospheres; it is a plant for a humid and cool climate. Like all plants of acid peat soil, it does not tolerate limestone soils, drought, heatwaves, or heavy soils saturated with water in winter. If the soil remains moist in summer, this rhododendron will also tolerate exposure to non-burning sun.

This dwarf variety can be grown anywhere, from full sun to complete shade, ensuring it is always well-covered with mulch. The roots are shallow and spread out to the sides for nutrients. Never plant them too deeply. The ideal mix is compost with light garden soil.

Maintenance consists of cutting off faded summer flowers and removing dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils that eat the edges of leaves and rootlets and by the famous "rhododendron lace bug", which often does not cause significant damage. Effective biological solutions are available today against weevils. Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor assimilation of iron in the soil and causes premature plant death. While limestone (from the soil or watering water) is usually the cause, poorly drained soil or a deep planting hole can also explain the phenomenon.