About
Rhododendron yakushimanum, the Yakushima rhododendron, is a compact, spreading evergreen shrub with narrow, convex, dark-green leaves with buff-coloured felting beneath. Rounded trusses of bell-shaped, pure-white flowers opening from bright-pink buds are produced in mid spring. One of the most popular and widely admired of all compact rhododendrons � shortlisted for Chelsea Plant of the Centenary (1943�52 decade).
About the genus
Rhododendron, the rhododendrons and azaleas, are a vast genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees producing simple leaves � sometimes with a dense, colourful indumentum beneath � and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers in a wide range of colours in spring and early summer. They thrive in moist, acid, humus-rich, well-drained soil in dappled shade.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesRock garden, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toJapan
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. Shallow planting is essential, deep planting will not be tolerated. See rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by seed, semi-hardwood 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