Haaga Rhododendron

Hoping to add a brilliant pink burst of color to your yard this spring? Haaga Rhododendron, also known as Rhododendron 'Haaga', will do the trick. Featuring lush clusters of delicate, horn-shaped, fuchsia blooms dotted with flecks of bronze and claret that appear from mid to late spring. The blooms are complemented by lustrous, furrowed, emerald-green foliage. A compact perennial created by the University of Helsinki in Finland, Haaga Rhododendron reaches a maximum height and spread of 3 to 4 feet. A bee’s dream, this showy, cold-hardy shrub captivates several pollinators. What’s more, you can cut some of the stems to brighten your home with a touch of this pink spring explosion.

Don’t worry about your yard becoming boring after the spring blooming ends because this cultivar’s dense evergreen foliage will provide interest year-round. Growing upright and slowly, this Asian native is also very low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for a busy person who has little free time to spare. 

Haaga Rhododendron Care

While Haaga Rhododendron tolerates full sun to partial shade, it does best in partial shade. Thriving in loamy, moist, acidic, well-draining soil, this cultivar will do well planted in average garden soil amended with compost. The soil’s pH should fall within a range of 4.5 to 6.0. Plant this hybrid in a hole that is as deep as the root ball’s height. This shrub likes moisture but does not tolerate standing water. To prevent root rot, water twice per week until established but ensure that the soil is dry before watering by doing a moisture check. 

This evergreen rhododendron requires minimal pruning. During the flowering season, deadhead spent blossoms to encourage growth and higher quality blooms. While you can prune this plant from spring until fall, it is best to do so just after its flowering period has ended in late spring so you don’t remove next year’s buds. During this time, trim dead and/or damaged stems.

Haaga Rhododendron Spacing

Haaga Rhododendron looks great when planted in a border, container, or en masse.  Simply space this broadleaf shrub approximately 3 to 4 feet apart from the next one. Also, this perennial complements any garden containing lilacs, roses, and hydrangeas.