The smaller rhododendrons are, in general, more floriferous than the large kinds. Although the individual flowers are smaller, they are not that much smaller and are relative to the size of the plant, the floral impact is much greater.

Many kinds cover the entire plant with flowers and this can be very eye-catching. Being relatively small, these varieties can be fitted into beds and borders where the bigger sorts would just take up too much space.

After flowering, the smaller kinds are not as dull and many actually have smaller, attractive foliage. They are ideal for places where there is less space available – smaller beds and borders and areas associated with paving or pathways, where large bushes would be too big and out of place.

For gardens on limy soil where it is desired to grow some rhododendrons, the smaller kinds are easier to grow because small areas of soil are quite easily acidified, or the plants can be grown in large pots or tubs.

There are lots of kinds of small evergreen rhododendrons, bred from a range of species, such as Rhododendron moupinse, which is pale pink, and Rhododendron caucasicum, a light yellow. Most of these species are natives of fairly high altitude, where they have adapted to harsh windy conditions by making a smaller, more spreading plant. Another important range is Rhododendron yakushimanum from Japan, which has given rise to a race of small hybrids known as Yakushimanum hybrids or simply ‘yaks’.

The different hybrids flower at various times through spring and early summer. One of the first of this group of rhododendrons to flower, usually in March, is Cilpinense – with beautiful pale pink trumpets. It is just a touch tender and sometimes gets frosted, but it is worth the risk. Elizabeth is one of the best-known small rhododendrons, a very beautiful plant with bright red flowers, spreading outwards and low. Ruby Hart is a very neat little plant with deep red flowers. Baden Baden is very popular too, a neat plant with good red flowers. Scarlet Wonder is another stunning red-flowered small rhododendron (pictured above).

There are some kinds with intensely blue flowers. Blue Tit is a dwarf shrub of tight growth habit and rich blue flowers in spring. Blue Diamond is similar, although bigger and with larger flowers and it flowers in later spring.

Rhododendron impeditum is a very small species with clusters of small purple-blue flowers, really a rock garden plant. Dora Amateis is a very pretty, small, white-flowered shrub with broad funnel flowers. Curlew is dwarf and spreading in habit, with relatively large yellow flowers. Shamrock also has yellow-greenish flowers.

The species Rhododendron yakushimanum is lovely in itself and has been used as a parent of many varieties, all of which are small, compact, spreading and with dense foliage and flowers.

The Seven Dwarf series is usually represented by the varieties, Doc, Grumpy or Dopey. But there are many other kinds, such as Percy Wiseman which has creamy yellow flowers flushed with pink, and Surrey Heath with pretty pink flowers. These usually flower as small plants, which makes it easy to choose colours in the garden centre.

Choose a sunny spot for more flowers, well-drained, in deep soil, but not too rich. On limy soil, dig in a good layer of peat, garden compost or pine or spruce needle litter. Work in up to 100g of sulphate of iron per m2. This helps to acidify the soil. Top up with a layer of mulch of pine needles or leaf mould each spring. Water until the plant is well established. CL

apple mildew

Apple powdery mildew is a very damaging disease of apple trees, destroying some of the foliage and reducing the tree’s ability to grow and crop. The mildew over-winters in buds on the tree and the affected leaves emerge from the buds in late April or May. These leaf-clusters are grey-white with mildew and badly stunted. The fungus makes spores and continues its spread to other leaves. The diseased leaf clusters can be picked off or snipped off with a secateurs, placed into a plastic bag and taken away to be buried. This hand-removal method is not a huge job, but if there are just too many affected trees and buds then it might be necessary to spray with a product containing myclobutanil, which is very effective.

Flowers

Do not cut away the foliage of spring bulbs, such as daffodils and snowdrops, as it makes next year’s flowers. It is too early to plant summer bedding as a late frost could be devastating. Containers that can be kept off the ground can be potted up in the coming weeks.

Fruit, veg & herbs

It was a late year for sowing vegetable seeds, so many of these are emerging now and need to be thinned. Herb seeds can be sown in warm soil.

Trees, shrubs

& roses

If rose bushes had blackspot before spray them with rose spray. Check for poor growth of young trees due to water shortage, which can occur even with plenty of rain. Control weeds and grass at the base of young trees to remove competition.

Lawns

Regular mowing should be kept up and increased in the coming weeks to keep pace with the increasing surge of growth. Most lawns have grown well in recent weeks, but very hungry grass will only grow poorly. Feeding with a high-nitrogen fertilizer will bring it on quickly.

Greenhouse

Feed all bedding plants and tender vegetables for planting out at the end of May and keep them growing well. Space the pots adequately to ensure proper development. If possible, plant out tomatoes now in the greenhouse. Check for greenflies which can build up rapidly.