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Rhododendron Sainte-Marine

Rhododendron Sainte-Marine

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This rhododendron is an evergreen bush for heather soil. Its habit is naturally compact and its intensely speckled coral-pink flowers bloom in April-May. It reaches approximately 1.20 m in height and 1 m in width at 10 years, its growth is rather slow. Cultivation in acidic, humus-bearing, cool, but well-drained soil, in partial shade or non-scorching sun. Hardy down to -15°C.
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

The Rhododendron ‘Sainte-Marine’ is a hybrid distinguished by its spring flowering in shades of pink to coral pink, heavily speckled. Its compact habit is well-suited to small gardens and decorating terraces. In a bed of heather soil, at the edge of woodland, or near a path, in partial shade, this variety offers a warm and refined flowering.

Belonging to the Ericaceae family, ‘Sainte-Marine’ is a cultivar obtained at the Domaine de Boutiguéry, in Gouesnac’h, renowned for its collections and its work in rhododendron hybridization. Its name celebrates the port of Sainte-Marine, located at the mouth of the Odet river, not far from the estate. The bush has a dense, rounded to slightly spreading habit, and its growth is rather slow. In open ground, it reaches approximately 1.20 m in height with a 1 m spread in 10 years; in a container, its dimensions remain more modest.
The flowering occurs in spring, from April to May, under a temperate oceanic climate. The inflorescences are broad and rounded. Each flower shows a funnel-shaped corolla with 5 lobes with slightly undulate and crumpled edges. Their colour ranges from pink to coral pink and pale apricot. The throat is distinctly punctate with brick red on the dorsal lobe. The centre is furnished with 10 slender stamens, with dark brown anthers and cream filaments surrounding a clearly visible light green style. The foliage, evergreen in winter, is composed of large, leathery, elliptical to obovate leaves, of a medium to dark green, glossy on the upper side. The root system is shallow, fibrous, and very ramified: it requires an acid soil (pH 4.5–6), rich in humus, consistently moist but without excess water, and dislikes lime.

Plant the Rhododendron ‘Sainte-Marine’ in partial shade, sheltered from drying winds, in a large pocket of acid soil well amended with leaf mould. In a border, combine it with acidophilous bushes of similar size to stagger the flowering periods: Pieris japonica ‘Katsura’ for spring, Camellia ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’ for winter, and Rhododendron ‘Madame Masson’ or ‘Percy Wiseman’. In a pot, choose a wide and deep container, a well-drained heather soil substrate, and water regularly with non-calcareous water, favouring light shade during the hottest hours.

The Domaine de Boutiguéry opens to the public each spring, with its grand avenues lined with rhododendrons and azaleas; ‘Sainte-Marine’ originates from patient selection work conducted on the slopes overlooking the Odet.

 

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Rhododendron: planting, growing and care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 15 min.
Rhododendron: planting, growing and care
Read article

Rhododendron Sainte-Marine in pictures

Rhododendron Sainte-Marine (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour salmon
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Corymb

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Foliage description Narrowly lanceolate leaves, leathery in texture, evergreen.
Product reference • 25065

Planting and care

Plant the Rhododendron 'Sainte-Marine' in a partially shaded position, sheltered from cold, drying winds, in a cool, humus-bearing, light soil, tending towards acidic or neutral. Like all ericaceous plants, it does not tolerate chalky soils, nor heavy soils that are waterlogged in winter. If the soil remains cool in summer, this rhododendron will also tolerate a position in non-scorching sun. Avoid planting at its base, as its shallow roots do not cope well with competition from other plants, particularly for water resources.

Dig a hole with a volume three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in water (non-chalky) and plant the bush at collar level, in a mixture composed of 1/4 turf, leaf mould, gravel or pozzolana and topsoil. Water copiously and keep the soil cool in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a relatively shallow root system. Consequently, they fear long periods of drought. This is why a soil enriched with humus and abundant watering during dry periods are recommended. Furthermore, this root system is not very strong, which is why it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pozzolana, clay pebbles) at planting time. Apply a mulch of crushed pine bark at the base of the bush every spring to keep the soil cool while maintaining an acidic pH.

Maintenance consists of cutting off the faded flowers in summer and clearing away its dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by vine weevils which eat the edges of the leaves and the rootlets, as well as by the famous 'rhododendron leafhopper' which does not often cause severe damage. Effective organic solutions exist today against vine weevils. Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendron indicates poor assimilation of iron in the soil and causes premature death of the plant. If chalk is frequently the cause, poorly drained soil or a root ball planted too deeply can also explain the phenomenon.

"Rhodos" come into their own in our Breton and Norman climates, planted in soil free of chalk, and in a humid atmosphere. Their cultivation in our warmer and drier climates is generally doomed to failure in the long run, despite all efforts made to acclimatise them.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Small gardens, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Humus-bearing or peaty, even sandy, fertile and well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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