Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby'

Common name: Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby'

Description: Rhododendron 'Wilgen's Ruby' is a handsome and generously flowering hardy hybrid rhododendron that has earned a well-deserved and enduring place in the British garden for its richly coloured, deep ruby-red to crimson flower trusses, vigorous and reliable constitution, and bold evergreen presence that contributes structure and year-round interest to woodland and shaded garden settings of all kinds. In mid to late spring, the large, well-rounded trusses of broadly funnel-shaped flowers open in a deep, glowing ruby-red that is warm, rich, and intense in tone, each bloom suffused with a darker crimson spotting towards the throat that adds a further note of depth and distinction to the already jewel-like colouring. The trusses are carried in impressive numbers on a well-established plant, creating a floral display of real drama and presence at the height of the spring season. As the flowers fade, the large, broadly lance-shaped, evergreen leaves reassert themselves, their deep, glossy, dark green colouring and leathery texture providing a bold and handsome backdrop of substantial structural value through the remainder of the year. 'Wilgen's Ruby' develops into a vigorous, upright to broadly rounded shrub of considerable substance that is well suited to the back of a large mixed ericaceous border, as a bold woodland garden specimen, or as part of an informal screen or shelter planting in a larger garden setting. A thoroughly proven and dependable rhododendron of great garden merit that rewards with a magnificent spring display year after year.

Other benefits: richly coloured deep ruby-red spring flower trusses of great warmth and intensity; large, bold evergreen foliage for substantial year-round structure; vigorous and reliable over the long term; well suited to larger gardens, woodland settings, and informal screening; thoroughly proven in UK garden conditions

Wildlife attraction: bumblebees and other large-bodied pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2m x 2m

Position: partial shade preferred; dappled woodland light is ideal; shelter from cold, drying winds and strong midday sun which can scorch the large leaves and fade the richly coloured blooms; avoid frost pockets where late frosts may damage emerging flower trusses

Soil pH: requires acid soil; pH 4.5–6.0; will not tolerate alkaline or chalky conditions; benefits from the incorporation of ericaceous compost and composted bark at planting; water with collected rainwater in hard water areas

Moisture: regular watering required, particularly when establishing and during dry spells; prefers consistently moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil; a deep mulch of composted bark helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain soil acidity; avoid waterlogging

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to approximately -20°C; thoroughly reliable throughout the UK; flower buds may be susceptible to damage from late spring frosts in exposed positions