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

Burncoose speciality
See Burncoose Speciality group for more details
Pests & Diseases
Vine weevils, whiteflies, scale insects, caterpillers, aphids, honey fungus, powdery mildew, bud blast.
Place of origin
Bred by: J.C. Williams Caerhays Castle,
Caerhays bred plants
Evergreen
Shades of pink
All shades of pink through to Carmine (red)

Shell pink
Trumpet
Cottage garden
Suitable for small gardens
Town garden
Woodland garden
Height and Spread
1 metre in 10 years
Medium shrub
Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
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)
Acid / ericaceous loving
Fertile moist well-drained soil
Humus-rich
Neutral to acid soil
Ideally pH4.5 - 5.5
Full sun
Shelter from strong winds
Partial shade
harmful if eaten
(People & Pets)

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