Rhododendron vireya Hendrik's Kers - Tropical Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Hendrik's kers' is a variety of tropical origin with a compact habit, as wide as it is tall. This uncommon small shrub has dark green evergreen foliage that is ornamental all year round. Its late flowering occurs over several months in autumn and winter. It produces clusters of small, brilliantly bright red trumpets, beautifully set off by the dark vegetation. Easy to maintain in a pot due to its limited size, this small Rhododendron, which is not very hardy, can be grown anywhere and brought indoors for winter protection.

Rhododendrons belong to the Ericaceae family, which includes over a hundred genera, the most well-known of which are probably Blueberries or Heather (Erica, Calluna, Daboecia...), and also some rarer gems, such as Zenobia pulverulenta, or Tree Lily of the Valley. The Rhododendron genus is a highly diverse group, ranging from shrubs to trees over 15m tall. The botanical classification of this prolific genus (around 850 species) is organised into subgenera, sections, and subsections. While hardy Rhododendrons (which also include Azaleas) are very familiar to us, the Vireya section includes no less than 300 tropical species, often epiphytic, growing on trees like many orchids, while others are terrestrial, growing in the ground.
'Hendrick's kers' is a variety of this section, semi-epiphytic and can be grown in the ground. Growing quite slowly, this compact small shrub reaches a height of 60cm after 10 years of cultivation with an equivalent width, and will not exceed 80cm at maturity. Its foliage consists of small elliptical, 4 to 6cm long leaves in a beautiful dark green with a slightly glossy surface. The evergreen foliage is ornamental all year round, providing a superb backdrop to the flowering in autumn and winter, lasting for several months. In their original tropical climate, vireya Rhododendrons flower practically all year round. 'Hendrik's kers' forms clusters of about ten small flowers, approximately 4 to 5cm long, carried on flexible flower stalks. The petals are fused at the base (a characteristic of the Ericaceae family called gamopetalous flowers), making the flowers tubular until their opening at the end where they trumpet. A cluster of stamens protrudes from the corolla which shines in bright red, bringing joy during a sometimes gloomy time of year. This explosion of colour will be even more long-lasting if the faded flowers are regularly removed to prevent the plant from becoming tired.

Rhododendron vireya plants are tropical and while 'Hendrik's kers' can withstand brief frosts down to approximately -5°C, it will be difficult to grow outdoors. It is best to consider it as a plant to overwinter indoors. Its small size makes it very easy to keep in a pot, and also to provide it with a suitable acidic substrate and a bright exposure, but protected from intense sunlight by a light shade. Pair it with orangery plants to create an exotic scene without worrying about the rigours of the climate. Phoenix roebelinii, or Miniature Date Palm, is an adorable dwarf palm tree that is extremely decorative with its long, finely cut leaves. Well-suited to container culture, it will perfectly accompany your tropical Rhododendron. A classic but always spectacular and appreciated for its dark green, slightly arching and rigid leaves, Cycas revoluta, or Japanese Sago Palm, is also excellent for adding a touch of exoticism, even though it actually withstands cold better than its tropical appearance suggests. To perfect your scene, add a Russelia equisetiformis, the aptly named Coral Plant, which will allow you to create a beautifully flowered container, with its extremely slender, flexible and weeping stems adorned with small, bright red tubular flowers, a nod to those of your Rhododendron. Its flowering from May to autumn will announce that of 'Hendrik's kers', providing dazzling colours for three-quarters of the year.