Rhododendron in Greek means "rose tree", where "rhodon" is a rose, and "dendron" is a tree. Rhododendrons were first introduced into gardening in the 18th century, and today in the wild there are about 1,300 species and a huge number of very different varieties. Habitat - Northern Hemisphere.
Did you know? Rhododendron is the state symbol of Washington, and in Nepal it is a national flower. Some plants live up to 100 years and reach 30 meters in height.Due to its beneficial properties, rhododendron has found wide application in medicine. The leaves of rhododendrons are rich in substances such as rhododendrin, tannin, arbutin, rutin, as well as various acids and essential oils. Preparations based on rhododendron are prescribed for
- shortness of breath;
- heart failure;
- rheumatism;
- colitis;
- cold;
- epilepsy;
- vegetative neuroses
Important! In the leaves of rhododendron there is a toxic substance glycoside - andromedotoxin.
Rhododendron Adams (Rhododendron adamsii)
Adams rhododendron is relatively small, only up to 0.5 meters in height, which is quite a bit compared to other species of these plants.
The bush blooms with a scattering of small pink flowers, which has a good effect on its decorative properties. In addition, he is well established in folk medicine, thanks to which he is valued by many healers.
Rhododendron Vasey (Rhododendron vaseyi)
This species of rhododendron is from the USA, namely from North Carolina. There, in the mountains, he is as comfortable as possible. Begins to bloom in May, igniting bare branches incredibly beautiful flowering.
Vazei rhododendron is a representative of a rare species of rhododendron, which with its beauty overshadows other plants. Unpretentiousness in care can serve as an additional advantage of its cultivation.
Daurian rhododendron (Rhododendron dahuricum)
This species is a lover of frost, so it is not surprising that he comes from Siberia. It also lives in Northern Mongolia, Korea, China, and is well suited for growing in the middle lane.
Dahurian rhododendron is an evergreen rhododendron whose branches are directed upwards. The crown of the bush is abundant, high up to 2-4 meters. 
There are 2 known species of this plant: evergreen f. Sempervirens with violet flowers and early rhododendron (R. ciliatum x R. dauricum) is a garden hybrid with large flowers and abundant flowering that occurs in March -April.
Dahurian rhododendron is widely used in traditional medicine, and today they are treated for:
- Diseases of the digestive tract
- ARVI
- Rheumatism
- Thrombophlebitis
Did you know? Dahurian rhododendron has edible petals. They are remarkable in that they are sweetish in taste and smell very pleasant, which is why they are often used in salads.This type of rhododendron is winter-hardy, grows slowly, but is very decorative. Photophilous, well propagated by cuttings.
Rhododendron yellow (Rhododendron luteum)
This variety of rhododendron is also called “Pontic Azalia”, whose birthplace is Belarus. Yellow rhododendron is a deciduous form of rhododendron, 3-4 meters high. The bush can grow strongly, filling the territory with its branches.
The leaves are oblong, resemble an ellipse in shape, and the flowers appear before the leaves turn green on the branches or during the period of their blooming. By autumn, all the leaves acquire a bright color.
Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum)
Variety got its name because of the place of growth - the Caucasus. Differs in frost resistance, not high, the branches spread along the ground. It does not grow quickly, but is very good as a fixer of the soil and gives abundant blooms, the flowers are white.
This plant is a famous honey plant in the Caucasus, but all its parts and honey are poisonous. Caucasian rhododendron is widely used in medicine, but only under the supervision of a doctor. In particular, they are treated with mercury poisoning.
Rhododendron Ledebour (Rhododendron ledebourii)
This type of rhododendron received its name in honor of Carl Christian Friedrich von Ledebour. The German botanist was in the service in Russia and described the vascular plants of Russia when he was part of an expedition in Altai. 
This semi-evergreen shrub is distinguished by dense foliage and branching. It is relatively medium in size 0.5 - 2.0 m, but it pleases people with its bloom from June to July. It is also possible secondary flowering from August to September, often abundant.
Ledebour rhododendron is often confused with Daurian rhododendron, but you can distinguish them by looking closely at the flowers; Ledebour rhododendron has more intense flowers, and the leaves have a different shape.
Important! Ledebour's rhododendron belongs to semi-evergreen species of rhododendrons: last year’s leaves remain on branches until spring.
Rhododendron soft (Rhododendron molle)
Type of rhododendron, which came to us from China. Belongs to deciduous plants, with a flowering period from April to June. It has the form of a bush or a small tree with a maximum up to 2 meters.
Flowers appear before the punching of foliage and have a pleasant aroma. The most famous varieties of the species are "Album" and "Auteum". They are also relatively resistant to frost.
Rhododendron Schlippenbach (Rhododendron schlippenbachii)
Schlippenbach rhododendron is considered to be one of the most beautiful representatives of deciduous rhododendrons. It got its name in honor of Alexander Shlippenbach, who first collected this species in 1854. It was then that he made a research trip to Korea on the frigate Pallas.
This species is very popular among shrubs in Korea, China, and Japan. The growing places are mountain slopes, mainly stony and oak, as well as pine forests.
In our country, such plants unfairly remain obscure, although the Schlippenbach rhododendron blooms magnificently, pleasing the eye with large flowers.
This shrub develops in the form of a tree (cultivated forms reach a height of 1.6 m, and in the wild 2-4 m). In autumn, the leaves acquire a yellow-red tone. With the advent of foliage, flowers bloom on the bushes.
The Schlippenbach rhododendron is distinguished by its frost resistance and is interesting for gardeners-decorators.
Japanese Rhododendron (Rhododendron japonicum)
This type of rhododendron during flowering will give you a sense of southern pomp and beauty. Japanese rhododendron also belongs to deciduous species, and although it grows slowly, it forms a wide spreading crown, reaching a height of 1.5 - 2 meters. 
Japanese rhododendron blooms with yellow, bright red large flowers from May to June. With the onset of autumn cold weather leaves get yellow-purple color, but the plant is not afraid of frost.
Rhododendron Yakushimansky (Rhododendron yakushimanum)
The Yakushima rhododendron came to us from Japan and is a deciduous species of rhododendron, represented by an evergreen, low shrub. It blooms for 30 days starting in May. Delivers temperature up to -22 ° C. 
The bush has the appearance of a dome, is abundantly covered with flowers in the form of a bell of pale pink color. It is noteworthy that this particular species became the ancestor of all the rhododendron varieties popular today.
Feel free to cultivate rhododendrons in your own areas and let their flowering please you and your guests with a riot of colors and pomp of brushes.
