Rhododendron Midnight
Rhododendron Midnight
Rhododendron Midnight
Rhododendron 'Midnight'
Hybrid Rhododendron
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Description
Rhododendron ‘Midnight’ has charming umbels of purple-red flowers with an almost black blotch, enhanced by dark green, leathery, evergreen foliage. This large rhododendron is a shrub for partial shade that naturally finds a place in an acidic soil bed, at the edge of woodland, or even in a large container. It flowers in May.
A member of the Ericaceae family, ‘Midnight’ is a hybrid cultivar. It results from the cross-breeding of Rhododendrons ‘Cup Day’ and ‘Purple Splendour’, obtained in Australia by K. Van de Ven (Olinda region, Victoria). Its flowers take on the purple colour inherited notably from ‘Purple Splendour’, with a large brown-black blotch in the throat; in temperate climates, flowering occurs more towards the end of May. The habit of this shrub is bushy, moderately upright. One can expect about 1.50m in height in 10 years, up to 2m in very favourable sites; the spread often follows the height. The evergreen foliage consists of elliptical, leathery, dark green and glossy leaves, borne on brown-green stems. The inflorescences are umbels of funnel-shaped flowers with five distinctly crinkled lobes; the corolla opens in shades of purple-red to magenta; an almost black blotch adorns the dorsal lobe. ‘Midnight’ is hardy down to −18/−21 °C sheltered from the wind.
Plant Rhododendron ‘Midnight’ in partial shade, in deep, mulched acid soil; give it enough space, 1.50 to 2m. It can be planted as a specimen or in a group of 3, and can also be grown in a large container. Combine its purple colour with lighter-flowering plants: Rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’ and ‘Bloombux’ as underplanting. To serve as a backdrop, plant summer heathers or Epimedium, for example.
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Rhododendron
'Midnight'
Ericaceae
Hybrid Rhododendron
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant Rhododendron 'Midnight' in a semi-shaded position, protected from cold and drying winds. It needs moist, humus-bearing, light, acid soil. Like all ericaceous plants, it does not tolerate calcareous soils, nor heavy, waterlogged soils in winter. If the soil remains moist in summer, this rhododendron will also tolerate morning sun. Avoid planting at its base, as its shallow roots do not compete well with other plants, especially for water.
Dig a hole three times the volume of the pot. Soak the root ball in (lime-free) water and plant the shrub at the level of the collar, in a mix composed of 1/4 peat, leaf mould, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system. Consequently, they are vulnerable to long periods of drought. That is why a humus-rich soil and abundant watering during dry periods are recommended. Moreover, this root system is not very strong, so it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay balls) at planting time. Apply a mulch of shredded pine bark at the base of the shrub every spring to keep the soil moist, while maintaining an acid pH.
Maintenance is limited to deadheading faded flowers in summer and removing dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by vine weevils, which eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, as well as by the famous "rhododendron lace bug", which rarely causes severe damage. Effective organic solutions are now available against vine weevils. Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendron indicates poor iron uptake in the soil and leads to premature death of the plant. It is possible to remedy this by applying iron chelate diluted in water. However, while lime is generally the cause, a poorly drained soil or a root ball planted too deeply can also explain the phenomenon.
Rhododendrons show their full potential in cooler climates, planted in acid soil and in a moist atmosphere. Their cultivation in hotter, drier climates is usually doomed to failure in the long term, despite all efforts to acclimatise them.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:
- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.