History of rhododendrons
The beginning of rhododendron cultivation in Ammerland can be traced back to the landscape architect and palace gardener Carl Ferdinand Bosse (1755-1793), who was commissioned in 1784 by Prince Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg to create a palace garden based on the English model around the palace on the monastery grounds in Rastede. He planted the first rhododendrons in Ammerland. Due to the favorable soil and climate conditions, the region is now considered the most important European cultivation area for rhododendron trees.
The sandy, humus-rich soils with transitions to boggy soils, the high humidity due to relatively evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year and the low temperature fluctuations are the ideal conditions for rhododendrons. They love a location in the shade or partial shade that is protected from drying winds and prefer pH values of 4.5 to 5.5. The best planting time is from the end of September to the beginning of December and in spring from February to the end of May. Healthy growth requires balanced annual fertilization, especially in the first few years after planting. Pruning should be avoided if possible. However, if pruning is necessary, for example in the case of bare, long-legged shrubs, it should be done in early spring, in March/April.