About
A compact, very hardy, upright and bushy evergreen shrub with healthy-looking, oval dark green leaves and trusses of dark red flowers with chocolate brown markings which appear from late May through to 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 shade, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 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 light dappled shade, in a site sheltered from cold, dry winds and late frosts, in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil, preferably between pH4.5 and pH5.5; will also tolerate sun and dry soil; for more advice, see rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by heeled semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, by layering in autumn, or by grafting in late winter or late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron whiteflies, rhododendron leafhopper, lacebugs, scale insects, caterpillars, and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, bud blast, honey fungus, rust, leafy gall, petal blight, silver leaf, Phytophthora root and shoot rots, and, if soil is not sufficiently acidic, lime-induced chlorosis; for more advice, see Rhododendron diseases