About
An evergreen, compact, shrub azalea to 75cm with small ovate dark green leaves. Produces a profusion of double (hose-in-hose) bright red flowers in late 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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
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 acid soil, ideally in a sheltered spot in part shade, though will tolerate full sun if the soil remains reliably moist. See rhododendron cultivation for more advice
PruningPruning group 8. Deadhead if practical, to promote vegetative growth rather than seed production
PropagationPropagate by 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, lace bugs, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, rhododendron bud blast, honey fungus, rust diseases, leafy gall, rhododendron petal blight, silver leaf and phytophthora shoot and root rots