About
A very large evergreen shrub or small tree, with attractive dark green leaves to 30cm long, with cinnamon-brown indumetum beneath, and trusses of bell-shaped, red-blotched, creamy-white flowers 5cm across 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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Architectural, Cottage and informal garden
Native toChina Myanmar
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
CultivationOne of the most robust large-leaved rhododendrons, grow in moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich acid soil in part shade with shelter; see rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 8
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, 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