Anah Kruschke Rhododendron

Rhododendron ‘Anah Kruschke’ Overview Uses: Foundation plantings, hedges, screens, and sunny borders. Benefits: An "ironclad" rhododendron with tight, ball-shaped trusses of reddish-purple flowers in late spring. The dense, glossy leaves are held for three years, so the plant always looks full. Takes more sun and heat than most rhododendrons. USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub Growth Habit: Rounded — dense and full. Bloom Color: Reddish Purple Foliage Color: Dark Green Mature Height: 5–6 feet Mature Width: 5–6 feet Bloom Season: Spring Growth Rate: Moderate Summary A purple rhododendron for the sunny spots other rhododendrons cannot handle. Anah Kruschke has earned its place in gardens on toughness as much as color. In late spring it covers itself in tight, ball-shaped trusses of ten to twelve reddish-purple flowers, each about three inches across with a darker blotch in the throat. It blooms late in the rhododendron season, so the show arrives after the early types have finished. Its foliage is a big part of the appeal. The glossy leaves stay on the plant for about three years, far longer than many rhododendrons hold theirs, so the shrub stays dense and full right down to the ground instead of thinning out with age. It grows into a rounded, compact evergreen about five to six feet tall and wide. Above all, it tolerates sun and summer heat better than most large-leaf rhododendrons. That opens up planting spots that would scorch a typical rhododendron, such as an open foundation bed or a hedge line along a sunny property edge, as long as the soil stays acidic and evenly moist. Care Anah Kruschke Rhododendron Care Plant in full sun to partial shade. It handles more direct sun than most rhododendrons, especially in the northern part of its range; in hot-summer areas, a little afternoon shade keeps the leaves at their best. Give it acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The shallow, fibrous roots do not tolerate standing water, so avoid low wet spots and amend heavy clay with compost or pine bark, or plant on a slight rise. Set the root ball level with or a little above the surrounding soil. Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season, and keep watering through dry spells in later years, particularly when it is planted in full sun. A two-to-three-inch layer of bark or pine needle mulch keeps the roots cool and holds in moisture. Feed lightly in early spring with a slow release fertilizer; rhododendrons are light feeders and do not need more than that. Little pruning is needed. Shape or shorten branches right after flowering, since next year's flower buds form during summer. Removing faded trusses is optional but keeps the plant looking neat. Size What Size is the Anah Kruschke Rhododendron for Sale Online? Our Anah Kruschke Rhododendron ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. As an evergreen it ships with its leaves on, and in the off-season it may already have next spring's flower buds set. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us. How Large Does Anah Kruschke Rhododendron Grow? Expect about 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, rounded shape. It reaches that size gradually over roughly a decade. For a hedge or screen, space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart. Additional Information Who was Anah Kruschke? The plant is named for the wife of Franz Kruschke, an Oregon rhododendron breeder who raised it. It reached the trade in the 1970s and has since been named a Rhododendron of the Year by the American Rhododendron Society for more than one U.S. region, an award given for proven garden performance. How much sun can it take? More than most rhododendrons. It is one of the varieties most often recommended for sunny sites, and it can grow in full sun in cooler regions as long as the soil stays moist. In hot, dry summers it looks best with shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. Will it make a good evergreen hedge? Yes. Because it holds its leaves for several years and stays full to the base, it makes a dense, flowering hedge or low screen around 5 to 6 feet tall. Plant in a row 4 to 5 feet apart. For more year-round choices, browse our Evergreen Plants. Do deer eat it? Deer browse rhododendrons, Anah Kruschke included, mostly in winter when other green food is scarce. In yards with regular deer traffic, protect plants with fencing or repellents. If deer are a constant problem, our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens are a safer bet.