About
A dwarf evergreen shrub with an almost prostrate habit, forming dense mounds of foliage to 30cm high. Leaves are up 1cm long, ovate, glossy and dark green above, brown and densely scaly beneath. Produces small clusters of widely funnel-shaped purplish-red flowers, with dark red marking on the upper petals, in May and June.
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
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Native toNE Myanmar, W China
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 but well-drained, humus rich, acidic soil, in full sun or light shade. Choose a site with good ventilation, away from extremes of temperature (such as frost pockets and sun traps). Mulch annually, ideally with leaf mould. See rhododendron cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningPruning group 8 (evergreens); trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, whitefly, rhododendron leafhopper, lacebugs, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rhododendron diseases including rhododendron bud blast and rhododendron petal blight, as well as powdery mildews, honey fungus, rust, leafy gall, silver leaf and Phytophthora root and shoot rots