Plant of the week

RHODODENDRON Mucronulatum

HERE’S a deciduous rhododendron which flowers in winter rather than May or June.

The striking rose- purple flowers are solitary and appear sporadically from early January onwards. New buds continue to open, usually until late March. Originating from eastern Russia and Mongolia, R. mucronulatum is fully hardy in Britain.

Flowers can be scorched by severe frost but new buds are quick to open.

Rhododendrons need acid soil, ideally at pH5.5 or less. If your garden can grow camellias and azaleas,

R. mucronulatum should settle down happily. It can also be grown in a large container, in ericaceous compost.