RHODODENDRON

Scented Rhododendrons suitable for conservatory or cool greenhouse are marked with an asterisk.

Syn. Azalea.

Genus of more than 1000 species of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs from Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America, particularly southwestern China, Tibet, Burma, northern India and New Guinea.

Evergreen rhododendrons vary greatly in size and usually have bell-shaped flowers with 10 stamens.

Azaleas have smaller, thinner leaves and are generally medium-sized shrubs with smaller, funnel-shaped flowers with, usually, 5 stamens.

The problem rhododendron, vigorous hybrids of R. ponticum, which is colonizing large areas has been given the name R x superponticum and is subject to EU legislation under the "Invasive Alien Species Regulation".

Garden location should have suitably acidic soil.

Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes

Pests & Diseases
Vine weevils, scale insects, honey fungus, powdery mildew, bud blast.
Place of origin
Garden origin. UK. 1867. J. Waterer, Knaphill, Surrey.
Evergreen
Medium-sized leaves 5-15cm (2-6in) long.
Striped, Veined or Multicoloured
White
Mauve buds open to white flowers with a purple blotch
Fully hardy
Height
3m (10ft)
Spread
3m (10ft)
Tall Shrub
Free-flowering shrub. Produces high-domed trusses of funnel-shaped flowers 7-9cm (3-3½in) long.
Hardy - cold winter
Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
Fertile moist well-drained soil
Humus-rich
Neutral to acid soil
Ideally pH4.5 - 5.5
Full sun
Prefers full sun. Shelter from strong winds
Partial shade
harmful if eaten
(People & Pets)

Mature Size

3m (10ft)
	3m (10ft)

View Planting Tips and Care Advice

Cold weather damage to evergreen plants

What do with cold weather damage

Rhododendron - Care Guide

Rhododendron - Propagation

Rhododendron - Video Spotlights

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 1) Collecting Seeds

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 2) Storing Seeds

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 3) Planting Seeds

Planting seeds in spring

More Care Guides & Tips

Search Caerhays Garden Diary for more info & pictures

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Available late spring to early summer 2026
Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.