About
A small evergreen tree or large shrub, to 9m tall, with large, leathery leaves, up to 30cm long, dark green above and silvery-white, or covered in a dull, light brown down, beneath. Dense rounded trusses of bell-shaped, cream to pale yellow flowers, each with a purple basal blotch, open from pink buds, in late winter to mid spring.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden
Native toC & E Himalaya to S Tibet
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, leafy, humus-rich acid soil in part shade with shelter; best suited to woodland gardens in milder counties; see rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by seed when ripe, or semi-ripe 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