About
A large, evergreen or semi-evergreen rhododendron to about 2m tall, derived from R. ericoides, with small, leathery, dark green, heath-like leaves densely clothing the stems and compact clusters of small, white to pale pink or lavender flowers in spring. An elegant, fine-textured species for a sheltered, moist, acidic, cool woodland garden.
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
Plant details
Suggested usesWoodland gardens, specialist collections
Care notes
CultivationAcidic, moist, humus-rich soil in sheltered dappled shade
PruningAllow natural form. Deadhead if practical
PropagationSeed for species integrity. Cuttings also possible
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceRoot rot in poor drainage. Protect tender species from frost