Rhododendron yakushimanum Easydendron Bohlkens Laura

Rhododendron yakushimanum Easydendron Bohlken's Laura is a compact hybrid, appreciated for its flowers of a beautiful pure yellow colour, without markings. Its very abundant flowering is perfectly highlighted by its small shiny dark green leaves. This rhododendron is part of the Inkharo range (Easydendron), which includes hybrids that are more tolerant of limestone and clay in the soil. It forms a bright and floriferous bush, perfect for easily enhancing a small shady or slightly shaded space in the garden, in a wide range of soils.

Rhododendrons encompass over 800 species from the Ericaceae family, cultivated for the beauty of their impressive flowering. The history of the Inkharo Rhododendrons, slightly revolutionary plants recently presented at the Chelsea Flower Show, began in Germany over 20 years ago. The discovery of a rhododendron naturally growing in a chalk quarry made it possible to consider grafting different varieties onto its extraordinary root system. The shrubs obtained by this method tolerate a wide range of soils with a pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5, provided they are loose, fertile, moist, and not excessively limestone-rich. In summary, any soil that is suitable for hydrangeas. The Rhododendron yakushimanum Bohlken's Laura forms a dense bush with a rounded habit of about 1m (3ft) in height and 1.2m (4ft) in width after 10 years. Its growth is rather slow. Its small evergreen, leathery, shiny dark green leaves are elliptical in shape and cover the plant well. The flowering takes place in May. Grouped in corymbs, the red flower buds open into large funnel-shaped flowers, about 10cm (4in) wide, of a beautifully soft and pure yellow colour, with brown anthers.

Like all yakushimanum hybrids, affectionately nicknamed "yak rhodos" by specialists, the Rhododendron yakushimanum Easydendron Bohlken's Laura is quite hardy. This one is hardy down to -20°C (-4°F). Even though they prefer a semi-shaded exposure, these hybrids tolerate the sun as long as it is not scorching (morning sun) and their base remains moist. With its abundant and vividly coloured flowering, this "rhodo" easily enhances a small, slightly shaded space in the garden, in the company of ferns, blue or variegated hostas, Pieris, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples, or other rhododendrons from the same group to create superb patchworks of textures and colours in spring. Versatile, you can also plant it alongside many other flowering shrubs, not necessarily ericaceous: hydrangeas, mock oranges, Japanese quinces, buddleias, abelias, or autumn camellias. Japanese Anemones Japanese Anemones will also be good companions, as well as bugbanes and foxgloves in woodland areas. Growing in containers requires regular watering.