Nova Zembla Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla') | Cold-Hardy Red Rhododendron

Nova Zembla Rhododendron

Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla'

A legendary cold-hardy rhododendron with vivid red flowers and exceptional winter hardiness

$109.00

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Description

Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' is a legendary, cold-hardy evergreen shrub prized for its stunning clusters of vivid red flowers and exceptional winter hardiness. This classic hybrid forms a dense, rounded, upright mound of large, leathery, elliptic, medium to dark green leaves that remain attractive year-round. In mid to late spring, it produces showy, dome-shaped trusses of large, bell-shaped, frilled flowers in a brilliant, bright red with prominent dark maroon to blackish spotting (freckles) in the throat, creating a dramatic, fiery display. With excellent cold tolerance (to -25°F), good heat tolerance, and resistance to powdery mildew, it is an outstanding choice for foundation plantings, woodland gardens, shaded borders, informal hedges, and mass plantings in colder climates.

Quick Facts

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Foliage & Flowers: Large, leathery, elliptic, medium to dark green, evergreen leaves; dome-shaped trusses of large, bell-shaped, frilled, brilliant bright red flowers with dark maroon to blackish throat spotting, blooming in mid to late spring .
Mature Height: 48-60 inches (4-5 ft)
Mature Spread: 48-60 inches (4-5 ft)
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-9 ; Sunset 4-6, 15-17
Light Requirement: Partial shade to dappled sun (morning sun with afternoon shade; protect from hot afternoon sun)
Core Benefits: Vivid red flowers, exceptional cold hardiness (to -25°F), compact rounded habit, disease resistant (powdery mildew), reliable bloomer.
Best Uses: Foundation plantings, woodland gardens, shaded borders, informal hedges, mass plantings, east-facing courtyards, accent plantings.

Faqs

Q: How cold hardy is Nova Zembla Rhododendron?
A: It is exceptionally cold hardy, reliably surviving winter temperatures down to -25°F (-32°C) (USDA zone 4). It is an excellent choice for northern gardens where other rhododendrons may not survive.

Q: What color are the flowers?
A: The flowers are a brilliant, vivid red with prominent dark maroon to blackish spotting (freckles) in the throat, creating a dramatic, fiery display.

Q: How large does it get?
A: It is a compact, slow-growing shrub, typically reaching 4-5 feet in both height and spread at maturity.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It prefers partial shade to dappled sun. It thrives in morning sun with protection from harsh hot afternoon sun. An east-facing location is ideal.

Q: What soil does it need?
A: It requires well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-6.0. Amend with peat moss, pine bark, or other organic matter to increase acidity and improve drainage.

Q: Is it a good choice for a hedge?
A: Yes, its dense, rounded, upright habit makes it suitable for use as an informal hedge or screen in shaded locations.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

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San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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