About
A large, umbrella-shaped evergreen shrub to around 6m in height, with long, narrow, dark green foliage. Large trusses of pale pink flowers with a central purple blotch appear from January through to April.
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
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, leafy humus-rich, acid soil in part shade with shelter from cold winds, ideal for a woodland garden; sun tolerant if soil remains reliably moist but strong sun may bleach flower colour; see rhododendron cultivation. If growing indoors, place in a cool, light well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. See rhododendron cultivation for further advice
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 leafhopper, pieris lacebug, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Rhododendron diseases, powdery mildews, rhododendron petal blight, rhododendron bud blast, silver leaf and honey fungus