Rhododendron Kaponga
Kaponga Flowering in the Garden
One of the most well known and widely grown modern New Zealand red rhododendrons is called Kaponga. I suspect my biggish red shrub which grows near the glass-house is one of these. Naturally I have lost its plant label...
Surrounded by Plantings
My Kaponga rhododendron is completely surrounded by other plantings - grasses, roses, hebes and a stray Buddleia are near neighbours. There are two other rhododendrons in this area, but this strong red is the first to flower.
Flowering usually starts in the last week of September (our mid-spring), and keeps on for some time. It's a tall shrub, and for me its growth is rather leggy and open. If the shrub itself were a little more compact the flowers would have more impact. Some years they seem to be flung far and wide from the central trunk of the rhododendron. Maybe some judicious pruning would be in order?
Red Rhododendron Kaponga
And occasionally in winter (when we have snow) its branches break off, but this is an tiny occupational hazard for any rhododendron in my garden.
A Good, Uncomplicated Red...
Kaponga is a good, uncomplicated red, and looks just gorgeous with the accompanying Phormium (a variety called Cream Delight).
Red Spring Rhododendron Kaponga
There's no doubt that the flower heads are a beautiful colour, though. I'm sure I've got the name right - there are many mentions of Kaponga in my early journals.
