Common Name: Aglo rhododendron
Scientific Name:
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Species: 'Aglo'
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 3 to 5 ft
Width: 3 to 5 ft
Common Characteristics:
Aglo rhododendron is an interspecific hybrid apart of the PJM group. It is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a rounded form. The leaves are elliptical in shape with smooth margins and dark green in the fall, turning purplish-maroon in the fall. The showy lavender-pink flowers are bell-shaped, blooming mid-spring. The fruit on the shrub is not ornamentally significant.
Where it Grows:
This shrub does well in well-drained and very acidic soil with high organic content. Peat moss or other organic matter additions may be necessary when planting. If planted in alkaline soils, chlorosis will occur. During the winter months, it is recommended to cover the base of the shrub with mulch to help protect in more exposed locations or colder microclimates. Prefers full sun to part shade. It does not tolerate standing water.
How it's Used:
Mainly planted for ornamental purposes in landscapes due to the showy flowers in the spring. It can also be used as a container plant. If planted in a container, make sure the pot has drainage holes to allow water drainage. When growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. This plant will not survive outdoors in a container during the winter so it needs to be brought in every winter and placed in a sunny area.
Ecosystem Services:
Aglo rhododendron has very minimal ecosystem benefits. It is deer-resistant.
Where it is Native To:
The shrub's native range is in western China and the Himalayas. In North America, they do best in the upper Midwest and New England climates.
Problems:
The aglo rhododendron is susceptible to many insect and disease problems such as aphids, borers, mealybugs, nematodes, scale, blights, canker, crown rot, leaf gall, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. With proper care and the proper environment for growing, minimal problems should occur.
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