Plant of the week: DANDY MAN® Rhododendron

Dandy Man® Rhododendron are a really solid series of new rhododendron varieties. They have the fabulous spring blooms you expect of a rhodie and handsome evergreen foliage to enjoy all year long.

Dandy Man Color Wheel® (above left) also has outstanding disease resistance and is a very heat-tolerant choice. The buds are red, then open to bright pink before maturing to soft pink and finally white. It’s a delightful color wheel and hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Dandy Man® Purple (above right) is a durable choice that’s hardy to USDA Zone 4. It’s also got outstanding disease resistance. Our growers who have tried it have seen a real difference producing it vs. their older varieties.

Both plants grow 4-8′ tall and wide and will grow in full sun or partial shade. They might not be what you were expecting for Valentine’s Day, but you know you’ll need rhododendrons later this spring!

It’s time to spruce yourself up for Valentine’s Day!

Whenever I think of our Dandy Man® Rhododendron, I think of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.” I’m not proud of that, but there it is. I blame it on too much exposure to Friday Night Videos in the ’80s. Don’t even get me started on the Van Halen flashbacks.

There is some truth to the song. “Every girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man” – and not just girls checking out a potential date. We can all appreciate a guy (or girl) who has taken the time to shine their shoes.

Plants, of course, are the universal love interest. We all appreciate a sharp-dressed plant.

Ready for more fun? Here’s a pronunciation video!

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