Rhododendron Charisma

Description

Rhododendron ‘Charisma’ is a beautifully scented variety that lives up to its name with charming colour and form. Raised by the New Zealand Rhododendron Association from a Kingdon Ward seed batch and registered by Graham Smith in 1982, this rhododendron carries a touch of New Zealand rhododendron history.

The rose-pink buds open to reveal white blooms with a generous blush of rose-pink, enhanced by yellow-orange highlights and a delicate blotch on the upper lobe. Each flower carries a soft fragrance, making Charisma as delightful to the senses as it is to the eye.

Forming an upright, bushy evergreen shrub, this variety grows to around 1.5 metres high by 1 metre wide over 10 years. It flowers in the early to mid-season, adding a gentle warmth to the garden as spring unfolds.

Charisma prefers part shade and moist, well-drained, acidic soil, and while not very hardy, it thrives beautifully in sheltered positions where frost and harsh wind are minimal. A wonderful choice for collectors and gardeners who appreciate both beauty and fragrance.