About
A small, compact, spreading evergreen shrub. Young silvery growth on dark and glossy green recurved leaves; thickly-felted creamy-brown beneath. Flowerhead somewhat lax, each flower 3cm wide, bell-shaped, opening to pure white, with slight lime-green spotting in the throat, from pink buds. Very late-flowering.
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
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
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 in part shade with shelter; suitable for an open windy site if soil remains reliably moist; see rhododendron cultivation
PruningPruning group 8. Deadhead if practical
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