Positive: On Jan 10, 2009, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Its relatively coarse texture can be used … The foliage releases an appealing scent when handled, sweet and spicy. … Also effective in foundation plantings or as a hedge. These hybrids resulted from crosses between Rhododendron carolinianum and Rhododendron dauricum var. PJM Group is a series of rhododendron hybrids that resulted from crosses between R. carolinianum and R. dauricum var. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Elliptic, hairless, leathery, dark green leaves (to 2.5” long). He crossed it with his beloved American rhododendron and produced a batch of seedlings. The small leafed varieties have a greater tolerance to the winter sun and are more winter hardy than large leafed varieties. Ball-shaped truss holds 5-12 flowers. I know, you have tried several times, and nursed plants with scorched leaves and dead buds back to life, in the hope that they would repeat that lovely display they had when you bought them. The PJM Pink Delight Rhododendron is the most cold-resistant of all evergreen rhododendrons, and highly-recommended for gardens in zones 4 and 5. Even in neutral soil (pH 7.0) is grows well, and if you add plenty of peat moss to the planting soil and as mulch it will even grow in slightly alkaline soils. PJM rhododendron are best grown in an acidic, moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Roots must never be allowed to dry out. adroll_adv_id = "RK545AVNKVEJFFRYPAE7DC"; Many people forget that the PJM Rhododendron has leaves that turn purple in the winter. A healthy plant in the proper environment with proper care should have limited problems, however. Refrain from pruning in the fall or winter as this will remove the buds for the following spring bloom, diminishing or … Blooms early (too early??) adroll_current_page = "other"; Houseplants. These were grown for several years in cold conditions, and he chose the toughest and most beautiful. The foliage of elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves turns reddish-purple in fall and winter. Large trusses of flowers are produced at the tips of branches followed by a flush of new leaves. When you see it blooming away, welcoming spring into your cold garden, you will thank Peter and Ed for their creation, a fitting tribute to the gifts to this country that immigrants bring. The plant has a mounding habit. adroll_language = "en_US". These rhododendrons are noted for growing well in the upper Midwest and New England climates. Insect pests include aphids, borers, lacebugs, caterpillars, leafhoppers, mealybugs, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. Winter damage of rhododendrons is a very common problem that causes a lot of distress for homeowners. Another reason that rhododendrons die is from cold winter temperatures. P.J.M. It was Rhododendron dauricum var. Luckily, its not too late for preventative rhododendron winter care. This hardiness rating is a guide not an absolute! Plants perform well on north or east facing slopes. Dappled shade is preferred; full sun may result in leaf scorch. Disease pests include blights, canker, crown rot, leaf gall, root rot, leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew. Rhododendron is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. They originate mostly from the Northern Hemisphere with high concentrations in western China, the Himalayas and Myanmar (Burma). Snap them off – don’t cut – just above the first leaf. He had seen the wild American rhododendron, Rhododendron carolinianum, growing in Tennessee and the Carolina, and dreamed of hardy plants that would bloom reliably in Weston. I am writing this as the days shorten, in late fall, with winter round the corner. The leaves are 3 inches long, smooth green in the summer and purple tinged to bronze in the winter. Rhododendrons are shrubs with showy flowers in spring, usually in shade of white, pink, purple and red. I add lots of peat moss, composted manure and leaves when planting. A steady supply of water in summer is valuable too, and some fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring, … One is ‘PJM Compact’, while ‘Checkmate’ is the smallest of all. Tolerates a fair amount of sun in cool northern summers, but leaves may scorch in hot afternoon sun in the St. Louis area. Sometimes you notice a few dead branches, yellow or dried out leaves and wonder if the rhododendron … Like so much that is good in America, the story of the PJM starts with an immigrant arriving to escape persecution, and with a dream in his heart. sempervirens. REVIEWS. Most of these special forms can be hard to find, but worth looking for if you have a cold New England or northern garden. Other colors were developed too, such as ‘PJM Lavender’ and ‘PJM White Form’. He called it ‘PJM Pink Delight’. Rhododendrons come in small leafed varieties and large leafed varieties. Rhododendrons Curl Their Leaves Against Winter Wind If a lot of cold wind blows past your rhododendron in the winter, it will curl its leaves inward so less leaf surface is exposed; the plant’s trying to keep water from evaporating out of its leaves. Of note to gardeners in cool temperate areas are the large and small leaved evergreen rhododendrons and the evergreen and deciduous azaleas. Put about 3 inches of the mulch around the base of your rhododendron to help prevent a condition called “winter burn.” This occurs when the ground is colder than the air. Compact P.J.M. PJM is functionally sterile, so it never sets seeds but instead spends its energy reserves producing flowers. In 1911 he had saved enough for a passage to America, where he met Olga, and married her. Much hybridization has resulted in a great number of hybrid cultivars. If, sadly, you find the item sold out, click on the ‘notify me’ box beside the size you want, and you will get an email the moment that plant is available again – it’s easy. 1123. PJM type rhododendrons in most years will not require extra winter care. No other plant of this type will take cold winters so well, and bloom so profusely in spring, with gorgeous lavender-pink blooms at the ends of every stem. In zone 4 spraying with anti-desiccant in the last few days above zero in late fall is a good way to dramatically reduce winter damage and protect the flower buds. Rhododendron P.J.M. Soil Preparation All rhododendrons need well-drained, loose, friable soil. Be the first to review this product. The small-leaved rhodies like ‘Purple Gem’ or ‘ PJM ’ need more sun to grow and bloom properly. The PJM group of rhododendrons are the result of a hybridization program that began North America in the 1930's by Massachusetts nurserymen Peter J. Mezitt and son, Edmund Mezitt. Mites may also appear. adroll_pix_id = "T5DEBSDHVFG4FA3KSLHHKJ"; The roots freeze, and when the plant needs food or water, the roots can’t take it and transport it because all of the water is frozen. He worked as a gardener to fund a college degree at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, and used his knowledge to start a business grafting fruit trees. Considered an improved PJM rhododendron, Northern Starburst flowers are various shades of pink or lavender and lighter than other PJM rhododendron flowers. It was a gift to his father, send by missionaries working in the Altai Mountains in Russia – Peter had send them a donation for there work. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, … These hybrids are compact, rounded, small-leaved, evergreen shrubs that generally grow to 3-6’ tall and are noted for having exceptional winter hardiness. In shadier situations, the plant may eventually lose some lower leaves simply due to lack of light, this would be a normal occurrence during the adjustment process. adroll_currency = "USD"; sempervirens, and are noted as having exceptional winter hardiness. ER21-162-000, the Commission accepted PJM’s revisions to the PJM Tariff, Attachment DD, section 15 and the PJM Operating Agreement, Schedule 6, section 1.5.7. When it bloomed the flowers were bright pink, not lavender, but otherwise the plant was identical, and just as hardy. This is best accomplished by wrapping the plant in burlap, or enclosing it in a burlap tent. Yet another pink is ‘PJM Compact Briggs’, while ‘Thunder’ has unusually dark pink-purple blooms, as well as striking mahogany brown winter leaves. Foliage acquires purple tones in winter. Do you have the PJM Rhododendron available for sale? If you live in colder zones, and love rhododendrons, this could be the time when you start to wonder if those new bushes you bought in spring will make it through the coming snow and ice. PJM should not be planted in wet areas as root rot can be an issue, but also should not be allowed to dry out. The PJM Rhododendron is an easy plant to grow, compared to most other rhododendrons. Notice a few dead branches, yellow or dried out leaves and wonder the! 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