Photo courtesy of Spotswood Greenery
Rhododendron catawbiense Nova Zembla
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Rosy red flowers with darker spotting cover this shrub in late spring, deeper and warmer than the pinks that dominate the old catawbiense hybrids. Rhododendron catawbiense 'Nova Zembla' grows 7 to 9 feet tall and wide in part shade to full shade, hardy from Zone 5 through Zone 8.
The leaves are narrow with softly wavy margins, thick and glossy, which gives the plant more texture than the flat-leaved rhododendrons even out of bloom.
The large-leaf rhododendrons hold their foliage year-round rather than thinning like the small-leaved types. Below about 25 degrees the leaves droop and curl up, curling tighter the colder it gets, and they open again within hours once temperatures rise. It looks alarming the first winter and it is entirely normal, a water-conserving response rather than a sign of trouble.
This is the largest of the group, reaching nine feet in good conditions, and it takes more sun than most rhododendrons while still handling deep shade. Acidic soil is necessary, roughly pH 4.5 to 6.0, with good drainage and steady moisture. Mulch the shallow roots.
Height 7'- 9' Spread 7'- 9'
USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8
Lowest Temperatures -20°F to -10°F
Part shade to full shade - less than 3 hours of direct sun, or dappled light through the day
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