Nova Zembla - size/height?

14 years ago

I've just purchased (8) NZ's for a foundation planting in the front of my house. I looked and looked on the internet for the size/height at maturity but only found the information 5' x 5'. I am a little concerned -although I know that varieties differ, I still have a hard time believing that a rhododendron will only top out at 5' across. Does anyone have any practical experience with this variety?

I am trying to create a hedge-like foundation planting, so they need to coalesce, but that would mean planting (4) plants per the 15 ft. on either side of the front door. That seems like waaaayyy too much rhododendron to me. Can anyone offer some advice here?

Thanks in advance, Amy

Featured Answer

botann

12 years ago

It would be a shame to whack a 15 foot tall rhododendron down, or even shorten it. Why not prune it as if it were a tree, rather than an overgrown bush? Maybe limb up a few trees to provide more sun for blooming. It's all in how you perceive it.

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Comments (6)

mainegrower
14 years ago
5x5 is probably a reasonable estimate for size at 10 years in the ground. I have seen Nova Zemblas that are at least 8 feet tall, but have no information about their age. In general, no rhododendrons, even the dwarf varieties unless they grow in a prostrate manner really "top out". Only pruning will keep them at specific height.
rhodyman
14 years ago
The size depends on the amount of shade. Ours are in full sun on the south side of a stone wall (our house) and they are easy to keep at about 5' tall. The can't go any further than 5' wide since there are other rhododendrons on either side and they have grown together. They are in front of windows, so we don't let them get more than 5' tall. I doesn't take too much work. The easiest way to prune a mature rhododendron is to pinch back new growth on the top right after they bloom.

In shade or semishade they will tend to grow more open and taller. But as maingrower mentions, you can easily keep them back to 5' tall. It will make them fill in if they are too open.
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Lennyclarke_comcast_net
12 years ago
I have a Rhody Nova Zembla that is around 15 feet tall and just as wide. Anyone have an idea on how I can trim it down several feet without killing it
rhodyman
12 years ago
Since it is so tall, I would guess it is in a shady location. Be cautious about pruning too much at one time. Rhododendrons will quickly come back when pruned severely if they are healthy and in a fairly sunny location.

To safely bring it back, prune no more than 1/3 each spring. If you prune before the end of June, you should be OK. Pruning in the summer will remove next years flower buds.

You must prune just above growth joints. Each year as the plant starts to grow there is a visible point where the plant started growth. We call this point a growth joint. Prune just above this point, because that is where the dormant growth buds are located. Don't prune between joints, because there are no dormant growth buds in that area. If you do prune in the wrong place, no problem. Just cut off the dead stub that is left when a bud further back develops and the extra length of stem dies.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to care for rhododendrons
Embothrium
12 years ago
"Maturity" often means a mere 10 years. That's how someone can easily have one 15' tall. An old place can have rhododendrons that have been there 50 or more years. Plantings here have hybrid rhododendrons over 20' tall.

Nova Zembla - size/height?

botann

Comments (6)

mainegrower

rhodyman

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