Description

Bring spring interest to your garden with Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’. Lord Roberts has deep red flowers.

Rhododendrons are among the showiest flowering shrubs for UK gardens, producing large trusses of blooms in late spring above handsome evergreen foliage. The range runs from compact dwarf varieties for pots and rockeries, through the neat, weather-resistant yakushimanum hybrids, to large, hardy hybrids for woodland gardens and screening.

Key features of Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’

• Plant type: Large evergreen flowering shrub
• Season of interest: Spring
• Look: Deep red flowers
• Height and spread: 2m x 2m
• Position: Dappled shade, sheltered from cold winds
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil or ericaceous compost
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in most of the UK
• Supplied in: 5L pot
• Best for: woodland gardens, large containers, spring colour, acid-soil borders

Why choose Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’?

• Red flowers
• Hardy
• Late

Where to plant Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’

Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ grows best in dappled shade, sheltered from cold winds, in moist, well-drained, acidic soil or ericaceous compost. It is a good choice for woodland gardens, and also works well for large containers, spring colour and acid-soil borders. Pair with azaleas, camellias, pieris, Japanese maples, ferns and hostas for a classic acid-soil planting.

How to plant Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’

Give the pot a good soak first. Then dig a wide planting hole, enrich the soil with compost, and plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the ground. Firm in gently and water well, then add a mulch to hold in moisture.

How to care for Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’

Keep the roots moist, especially in late summer when next year’s buds form. Water with rainwater where possible, mulch with leafmould or pine bark, and feed in spring with an ericaceous fertiliser. Mulch with leafmould, water with rainwater where possible and deadhead where practical. Little pruning is needed. Snap off faded flower trusses carefully after flowering, avoiding the new buds beneath, and trim lightly to shape at the same time. Yellowing leaves usually indicate alkaline soil or compost; poor flowering often follows dry roots the previous summer.

Growing Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ in a pot

Compact and dwarf varieties are excellent in pots of ericaceous compost; water with rainwater and feed every spring.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Our plants are nursery-grown at St Annes in North West England, raised outdoors and in tunnels in real UK weather rather than a hothouse, so they arrive healthy, acclimatised and well rooted. This Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ is supplied in a 5L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ grow?
Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ typically reaches 2m x 2m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is spring, when it shows deep red flowers.

Is Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ hardy?
Fully hardy in most of the UK.

How do I prune Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’?
Little pruning is needed. Snap off faded flower trusses carefully after flowering, avoiding the new buds beneath, and trim lightly to shape at the same time.

Does Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ need ericaceous compost?
Yes. Rhododendrons need acidic conditions, so grow them in ericaceous compost or acid soil and water with rainwater where possible.

Why are the leaves on my rhododendron turning yellow?
Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean the soil is too alkaline. Feed with a sequestered iron or ericaceous fertiliser and water with rainwater.

Add Rhododendron ‘Lord Robert’s’ to your basket today and enjoy spring interest in your garden.