The Blooming Shrub That Bring Color To Your Garden Edges And Borders

Rhododendrons are a familiar sight in gardens across the globe, as evergreens that can bring brilliant blooms to the landscape without much fuss. However, a dwarf variety is bringing something new to gardens. Most of us are used to towering rhododendrons, but 'Bloombux Bush' rhododendron (Rhododendron hirsutum x micrantha 'Bloombux Blush') only grows two to three feet tall and three feet wide. With pale pink or magenta flowers in the spring and summer, this rhododendron can bring color to your borders without threatening to obscure the house.

Grown in USDA zones 5 through 9, you can expect to see bees and butterflies visiting this bush. While there is a lot you should know about caring for rhododendrons, you may need to throw some of that tried and true knowledge out the window if you plan to plant 'Bloombux Bush. ' While rhododendrons tend to love acidic soil, and 'Bloombux Bush' can certainly handle that, it can also grow in a neutral soil, making it a better fit for those without the right pH for more traditional rhodies. 'Bloombux Bush' likes moist but well-drained soil and will benefit from mulching to help conserve moisture without overwatering and causing root rot and fungal diseases. And this variety is small and slow-growing enough that you can even plant it in a container if you don't have room for it in the ground. 

'Bloombux Bush' thrives in full or partial sun, will need about an inch of water per week, and prefers evenly moist soil. These plants can be stunning as a low-growing shrub in a mixed border or used as a low hedge to bring structure and color to the garden. It is a great alternative to boxwood, especially along pathways and garden edges. 

'Bloombux Bush' grows up to 3 feet wide, but if you want to form a dense hedge, plant them closer together. For small hedges, a spacing of 12 to 18 inches between plants is often optimal. A dose of fertilizer for acid-loving plants in the spring will give it a boost, but 'Bloombux Bush' is an otherwise low-maintenance plant. It's not prone to the same pests and diseases as boxwood and has earned a reputation as a sustainable and pollinator-friendly choice. 

'Bloombux Bush' will flower in May and June, but once the blooms have faded, it can be trimmed like a boxwood. Just be sure to do it immediately after blooming, so you don't accidentally trim next year's flowers. Don't forget to brush up on easy ways to sharpen and clean your hedge trimmers to keep this colorful plant in shape (literally and figuratively). Explore more evergreen shrubs to keep your garden looking great all year, and consider pairing 'Bloombux Bush' with other taller acid-loving plants like mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) to add height and a variety of flowers and interest throughout the season.