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
Good to know
Shallow planting is essential. A R. cinnabarinum x R. maddenii hybrid. About 1.2m (4ft) in 10 years
Pests & Diseases
Vine weevils, scale insects, honey fungus, powdery mildew, bud blast.
Place of origin
Garden origin
Rhododendrons
Rhododendron
Evergreen
Elliptic, waxy, dark green leaves
Tubular
Tubular funnel-shaped
Woodland garden
Fully hardy
Height
2.5m (8ft)
Spread
2m (6½ft)
Medium shrub
Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height

Upright shrub producing lax trusses of 3-6 flowers
Pruning group 5
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
When: Annually after flowering.
Hardy - average winter
Hardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F)
Fertile moist well-drained soil
Humus-rich
Neutral to acid soil
Ideally pH 4.5-6.0
Partial shade
harmful if eaten
People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, tortoises