When choosing woody plants at the Latvijas valsts meži (LVM) tree nurseries, rhododendrons are among the most eye-catching options, appealing to gardeners with their variety of leaves, flowers, and colours. LVM tree nurseries offer three varieties of rhododendrons that not only bloom magnificently but have also been specially selected for their ability to survive the Latvian climate.

For rhododendron enthusiasts, the evergreen varieties ‘Irina’ and ‘Vizma’, developed by a Latvian breeder, are available for purchase, as well as the deciduous rhododendron ‘Babītes Inga’. You can view and buy the saplings at the LVM information centre at Vaiņodes iela 1. Plans are in place to expand the range with the evergreen rhododendron varieties ‘Aldonis Vēriņš’, ‘Alma Mater’, and ‘Egons’.

At the LVM Kalsnava Arboretum plant sales area, you can also purchase rhododendron saplings grown in the arboretum from seeds harvested on-site. Of particular note among the rhododendrons is the Chinese azalea (Rhododendron molle), which blooms with yellow or orange flowers in late May and early June. The species has been known since 1823 and was introduced to Latvia in 1957. In the wild, it is found in the eastern Chinese provinces of Hubei, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, primarily in mountainous regions and coniferous forests.
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