Rhododendron Snipe

The Rhododendron Snipe is a small-sized variety, but full of charm, with dense and regular vegetation and lovely pale pink spring flowering with mauve reflections, speckled with magenta. This bush, which is resistant to cold, has evergreen light green foliage that remains attractive even in winter. It can be planted in an ericaceous bed, in front of larger bushes, or in a large container on a shaded terrace.

Rhododendrons are plants of the family Ericaceae, just like heathers, preferring soils devoid of limestone, with an acidic tendency and humid climates. Resulting from the cross-breeding between Rhododendrons pemakoense and davidsonianum, two species native to the Himalayan mountains, Rhododendron 'Snipe' is a variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -17°C (1.4°F). This hybrid from the 'Bird' series was obtained around 1975 in Glendoick, Scotland, by Peter Cox. The plant forms a dense and well-branched bush with a rounded, slightly spreading habit, reaching a height and spread of 80cm (32in) at maturity. Its growth is rather slow, generally reaching 60cm (24in) by the age of 10. Its evergreen undulate leaves, of light and glossy green, are rounded to elliptical in shape, slightly twisted and provide good coverage of the plant. They have a lighter underside. In April-May, its abundant flowering overwhelms its vegetation: grouped in corymbs, these are beautiful pastel wax-like bell-shaped flowers, iridescent, pale pink shaded with pale mauve, discreetly speckled with magenta, fading almost to white over the course of the days.

Rhododendron 'Snipe' thrives in cool and slightly humid climates in summer, even if winters are cold, as long as it has acidic and well-drained soil. Although they prefer partial shade, rhododendrons can tolerate the sun as long as it is not scorching and their base remains moist. "Snipe", with its exquisite flowering, will easily adorn a small shaded space in the garden, alongside mauve, purple, white or blue flowering plants. When associated with Kalmias, Azaleas, and Pieris, or other rhododendrons from the same group, it allows for the creation of superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Growing it in a container requires regular watering with non-limestone water and specific fertilization for ericaceous plants.