{"product_id":"haaga-rhododendron","title":"Haaga Rhododendron","description":"\u003ch1\u003eOne of the Few Rhododendrons Truly Hardy in Minnesota\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaaga Rhododendron (\u003cem\u003eRhododendron\u003c\/em\u003e 'Haaga') is part of the legendary Finnish (University of Helsinki) breeding program developed specifically for brutally cold climates — making it one of the very few broadleaf evergreen rhododendrons that reliably thrives in the Twin Cities. Trusses of soft rose-pink flowers cover the glossy evergreen foliage in late spring, and the leaves provide year-round structure. Given the acidic, moist, well-drained soil it needs, it's a coveted shade-garden showpiece for Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHaaga Rhododendron Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhododendron 'Haaga' (Finnish hybrid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 ft. tall, 4–5 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — one of the hardiest rhododendrons; site it in a sheltered spot)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade (morning sun, afternoon shade); avoid hot afternoon sun and winter wind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft rose-pink\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcidic, moist, well-drained, humus-rich — amend Minnesota clay heavily with peat and compost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmong the hardiest broadleaf rhododendrons; protect from drying winter wind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMay be browsed — protect young plants where deer pressure is high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBroadleaf evergreen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSheltered shade showpiece:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in a protected, part-shade spot — a north or east foundation, or under high canopy — out of hot sun and harsh winter wind. Space 4–5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvergreen structure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its glossy leaves give year-round presence. Pair with other acid-lovers like azaleas, ferns, and hostas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) so it establishes before winter. Choose a sheltered, part-shade site with acidic, well-drained soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Haaga Rhododendron\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRhododendrons are particular about soil. Dig a wide hole and amend heavily with peat moss and compost to create acidic, well-drained conditions; never plant in heavy, alkaline clay without amending. Set the crown slightly high (they're shallow-rooted and hate being buried), backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or pine needles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Haaga Rhododendron\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days; shallow roots dry out fast. A deep watering in late fall (before freeze) helps the evergreen leaves survive winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain consistent moisture and never let it bake. Water deeply before the ground freezes to reduce winter leaf desiccation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can rhododendrons really survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost can't, but the Finnish hybrids like Haaga are bred for extreme cold and are among the few that reliably overwinter here — in a sheltered, acidic, well-drained spot out of winter wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Why does soil matter so much?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRhododendrons need acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Minnesota's heavier, more neutral soils must be amended with peat and compost, and good drainage is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where should I plant it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA protected part-shade site — morning sun, afternoon shade, sheltered from drying winter wind (such as a north or east house side).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot reliably — deer may browse rhododendrons, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRosy Lights Azalea (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e A U of M-bred, ultra-hardy deciduous azalea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native fern for the same acidic, moist shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Haaga Rhododendron Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaaga is a sheltered-spot showpiece rather than a hedge plant. For a single specimen, give it a 5-foot circle in a protected part-shade bed. For a fuller display along a north or east foundation, plant a row or group of 3 at 4–5 feet apart (the body's own spacing) — three plants cover roughly a 12–15 foot stretch and bloom as one continuous drift of rose-pink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHaaga Rhododendron Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fat flower buds that overwintered on the stems open in late spring into full trusses of soft rose-pink — the payoff moment few Twin Cities gardens can pull off with a rhododendron.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy, deep-green broadleaf evergreen foliage keeps the shade bed looking lush; consistent moisture keeps the shallow roots happy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves stay green as next spring's flower buds set; a deep late-fall watering before freeze-up is the most important task of the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The evergreen leaves persist (curling tightly on the coldest days — that's normal) and give real winter structure where most shrubs are bare twigs; shelter from drying wind protects them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rosy-lights-azalea\"\u003eRosy Lights Azalea\u003c\/a\u003e — U of M-bred deciduous azalea from the body's own pairing list; same acidic-soil bed, blooms alongside Haaga.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/helsinki-rhododendron\"\u003eHellikki Rhododendron\u003c\/a\u003e — fellow Finnish hybrid in deeper red-pink; plant the two together for a longer, richer rhodo show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pjm-rhododendron\"\u003ePJM Rhododendron\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic hardy lavender-pink rhodo; blooms earlier, extending the season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-hi-lights-azalea\"\u003eNorthern Hi-Lights Azalea\u003c\/a\u003e — creamy-yellow Northern Lights azalea for color contrast in the same sheltered acid bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Haaga Rhododendron Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSay yes if you have a sheltered north- or east-facing spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, and you're willing to amend the soil acidic and keep it evenly moist — you'll get a broadleaf evergreen showpiece almost no one else in the neighborhood can grow. It's not a fit for hot, dry, windy, exposed sites or unamended alkaline clay, and where deer pressure is heavy, plan on protecting it — rhododendrons are not deer-resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54313052143921,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54313052176689,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/haaga-rhododendron.jpg?v=1779727883","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/haaga-rhododendron","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}