Rhododendron, Hellikki Rhododendron 'Hellikki' Height: 5 feet Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a Other Names: Finnish Rhododendron Group/Class: Marjatta Hybrids Description: A relatively new broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring lovely dark red flowers in spring, coarse dark foliage and a dense mounded habit, hardy; absolutely must have well-drained, highly acidic and organic soil, use plenty of soil amendment when planting Ornamental Features Rhododendron, Hellikki is blanketed in stunning clusters of lightly-scented fuchsia trumpet-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It has green evergreen foliage. The narrow leaves remain green throughout the winter. Landscape Attributes Rhododendron, Hellikki is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics. Rhododendron, Hellikki is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Rhododendron, Hellikki will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This shrub does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. Special Attributes Evergreens need to be watered during the winter. Our desert climate especially in late winter to early spring evergreens can suffer during next growing season. An easy way to remember check for dryness on the holidays Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Valentines Day & Easter.
