Rhododendron Prostratum
Arthur P. Dome, Seattle, Washington
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R. prostratum
Photo by Art Dome |
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R. prostratum bristles
Photo by Art Dome |
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Rhododendron prostratum is another member of the Saluenense Series that
can be a very desirable and interesting garden subject. One can enhance its
desirability by starting with a small plant. Grow it in a rich, light, moist
media and pinch the terminal shoots frequently to promote branching. After a
good base of many terminal shoots have been established it usually maintains
itself as a neat growing shrublet.
R. prostratum has more of an ascending type habit of growth than a
prostrate one. In some areas forms of R. keleticum have been grown under
the name of R. prostratum mainly because of its prostrate habit.
One of the first points to look for
in determining the identity of R. prostratum
are the bristles that cover the branchlets (see illustration) versus none at all on
R. keleticum or R. radicans. However, don't confuse it with R. chameunum
which has a more robust, upright habit of growth with larger leaves.
The blooms of R. prostratum
are usually lighter in color than those of R. keleticum. They also have
fewer spots which are usually lighter in color and the individual blooms are not
quite as flat. The flower stalks of R. prostratum are also quite bristly
(see illustration) while those of R. keleticum have none and tend to be
on the scaley side.
R. prostratum can be propagated readily from cuttings.
