About
A large shrub or small tree with leaves to 20cm long, dark green abovewith thick,cinnamon or rust-coloured tomentum beneath; deep-pink, bell-shapedflowers with darker spots are carried in dense, globular heads from January to April.
About the genus
Rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side, and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil (ideally pH 4.5 to 5.5) in part shade with woodland shelter and mulch annually with leaf mould; see rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, layering in autumn or grafting in late summer or late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron and azalea whitefly, rhododendron leafhopper, pieris lacebug, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to various Rhododendron diseases including powdery mildews, rhododendron petal blight, rhododendron bud blast, silver leaf and honey fungus