Anah Kruschey Rhododendron

If you have acidic soil, then you deserve a garden that has rhododendrons in it. Acidic gardens are a gift, because there are so many unique and special plants that need acidic soil to thrive. These are among the most beautiful of all plants, and the very best are the rhododendrons and azaleas. Scientifically related, the main difference to a gardener is that most rhododendrons have large, leathery leaves, while azalea leaves are smaller, and usually hairy. While azaleas generally need warmer gardens, rhododendrons, especially those derived from the wild pontic rhododendron, a species found in Europe. It is distinctive for being one of the toughest, and easier to grow than most others. So if you are new to these lovely plants, or have less-than-perfect conditions, this is a species to turn to for reliable varieties. The Anah Krushke Rhododendron is one such, bred here in America, and a variety that has proved to be extremely tough and reliable, yet is also vibrantly colorful and striking. Using the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron in Your Garden A moderate grower, the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron is perfect for the background of medium-sized beds, with smaller varieties in front, or the middle of larger beds, given that there are plenty of larger varieties for the back. Use it where space is limited, but you want a generous result. It looks great in the shade of large trees, both in formal settings and in semi-wild ones, in clearings in natural forest, for example. Since it is evergreen, it also looks good in the foundation planting around your home, among needle evergreens like cedars or yews, giving good foliage contrast. It could be grown in a tub or pot too, left outdoors all winter in zones 7 or 8, which is the perfect solution if your garden soil isn’t naturally acidic. Growing the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron Size and Appearance The Anah Kruschke Rhododendron is an evergreen shrub of relatively modest dimensions, growing to about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide within 10 years. It will probably mature at about 7 feet tall. It naturally has a need, rounded form, well-branched and therefore dense, bushy, and handsome even when out of bloom. The thick, leathery leaves are 4 or 5 inches long, rectangular and smooth, tapering to a rounded tip. They are glossy and a vibrant light-green in color, holding that well through the winter months too. Foliage remains on the bush for 3 growing seasons, making for a dense, leafy plant. Flowers form in large, round trusses at the end of every branch, and each truss is packed with up to 12 blossoms, opening progressively from the bottom to the top. Each bloom is about 3 inches across, a bold funnel with broad petals. These are colored a wonderful purple tinted with deep red, and in the throat of each bloom is a deep red blotch made up of many spots of strong color. The overall display is vibrant, colorful, and striking, adding great beauty to your spring garden. Hardiness The Anah Kruschke Rhododendron is hardy to minus 15 degrees, growing well in the warmer parts of zone 5, and into all warmer zones. While tolerant of heat and humidity, zone 9 in the southeast is probably a bit much for it, but of course not in the northwest. Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions In zone 5 you could grow the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron in full sun if the soil is always moist, but generally it will do best with morning sun and shade from noon onwards. It will also grow in light, full shade, enjoying the dappled light beneath deciduous trees. It is also more tolerant of deeper shade than most other varieties, so it’s a great choice for areas that are pushing the tolerance of rhododendrons. The soil should be moist, but well-drained, and although not drought tolerant, this variety will tolerate drier conditions, especially when mature, than many others, as well as hotter, more humid conditions. It is important that the soil is acidic, with a pH value no more than 6.0, and a range of 4.5 to 5.5 being preferred. Add plenty of rotted leaves from deciduous trees, shredded pine bark, pine needles, peat moss or lime-free garden compost. Mix that into the soil, and also use it as mulch over the roots. If you don’t have suitable soil, it is difficult to modify it, so we suggest growing this plant in a pot, using potting soil blended for acid-loving plants.   Maintenance and Pruning You won’t have any need to prune your Anah Kruschke Rhododendron, because it is naturally bushy and well-branched. If you do want to for some reason, do it immediately after flowering, to give the new growth time to mature before winter. Deer won’t eat it, and neither will dogs or cats, although it is toxic to horses and livestock, so don’t plant it where they can reach it. Pests or diseases are rare, and health is mainly determined by reasonably light and suitable soil. While young you can ensure good displays every year by removing the spent flower heads. Do this by snapping them out just above the top-most leaves and the new shoots you will probably see emerging – those will flower the next year. History and Origin of the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron The pontic rhododendron, Rhododendron ponticum, is a species native to Europe, where it can be found in Spain and Portugal, and also around the Black Sea, from Bulgaria through Turkey into Georgia. If you have read about this plant being invasive in England, and are therefore nervous about growing it, don’t worry, this plant won’t do that. Ironically, recent evidence shows that those invasive plants are actually hybrids with the American species, R. catawbiense. The variety called ‘Anah Kruschke’ is a seedling of Rhododendron ponticum, found in his garden by Franz Kruschke of Clackamas County, Oregon. He named it after his wife, Anah. In 1973 it was introduced for gardeners by Wright’s Nursery of Canby, Oregon. Buying the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron at the Tree Center For vibrant spring color, choose the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron – you won’t be disappointed. A tough and reliable variety, very suitable for newer gardeners, just a little care after planting will result in an excellent shrub in a few years, because the plant we will send you will be top-quality, ready to grow for you. Its special color will intrigue you, and blend into your garden perfectly, while adding novelty at the same time. Order now, this plant isn’t available very often, and we just have a few in stock.