5-23-08: Rhododendron 'Minnetonka'

Rhododendron 'Minnetonka' As a tried and true beauty, Minnetonka’s abundant flowers and elegant foliage will be welcome in your garden. The leaves are dark green and glossy, a year-round important feature in the landscape.

The blooms are a red-violet bud opening to a light purple and are spotted vivid chartreuse on the upper petal. I brought in a bud and a flower to inspire me while writing this and was smitten by their delicate beauty. The shape of the mature plant (4’ wide x 3’ tall) is slightly wider than tall, lending a formal appearance to the garden. Minnetonka is known as a modern ironclad hybrid. The first ironclad hybrids were tested by Ernest Wilson of the Arnold Arboretum in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s for cold hardiness (-20 degrees and lower). These hardy plants will grow and thrive in the inland NW as well as the coast side. Rhododendrons require acid soil, good drainage and partial shade as well as frequent water summer through fall. Minnetonka is a lovely plant.

Pleasant Hill Nursery is pleased to offer:

Rhododendron 'Minnetonka' in #1's & #3's: Call for Prices