Spring Dance Rhododendron

Some rhododendrons are born fussy. Top quality free-draining mulched soil? They sulk. Water? There's either too much, or too little... Sun - aargh! Shade - aargh!

Spring Dance

I pride myself that I've always provided THE perfect conditions - I know I have! Then leaves have turned yellow, and flowers have gone completely AWOL. Hmm... Not the USA raised hybrid rhododendron called Spring Dance, though...

Spring Dance has been a pleasant rhododendron surprise. This smallish rhododendron came from a bargain bin, and I planted it behind the pond. There's no irrigation, apart from the odd friendly bucket of pond water, and little hope for fancy food. Home-made compost is the only extra - it's dusty and twiggy, and does little to inspire me, let alone a rhododendron.

A Beautiful Sight

But Spring Dance doesn't seem to notice. Each year, quite early in the spring season, it bursts out and covers itself completely in pale lilac flowers. It's such a beautiful sight, sitting there in super-sandy soil, surrounded by the toughest shrubs on the country block.

Is this a fragile, wafting dance? No way. The flowers last longer than the nearby plum tree blossom, and the wind doesn't feature.

Spring Dance is an USA raised rhododendron hybrid, and flowers in the middle of spring.