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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.
Plant Details
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Burncoose speciality
See Burncoose Speciality group for more details -
Good to know
Shallow planting in lime-free soil is essential -
Pests & Diseases
Vine weevils, scale insects, honey fungus, powdery mildew, bud blast. -
Place of origin
Northeastern India. Introduced into UK by Frank Kingdon-Ward (1885-1958) in 1928. -
Rhododendrons
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Rhododendron
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EvergreenHeavily-veined leaves to 30cm (12in) long, dark green above and felted grey-white beneath
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Yellow
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Fully hardyBorderline
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Entire
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Oblong
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Ovate
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Height
15m (49ft) -
Spread
6m (20ft)
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Tall ShrubProduces flowers in large trusses of up to 30 trumpets.
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Tree
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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)Borderline -
Spring Seasonal Interest
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harmful if eaten
People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, tortoises -
Rabbit Resistant
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Mature Size15m (49ft)
6m (20ft)
Planting Tips and Care Advice
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Garden Location/Conditions
Woodland garden
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Pruning group
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.
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Soil Conditions
Acid / ericaceous lovingIdeally pH 4.5-6.0Fertile moist well-drained soilHumus-rich
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Sun Requirements
Full sun
Partial shade
Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
Rhododendron - Care Guide
- Dead Heading
- Dead Heading - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning
- Pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dwarf Rhododendrons for smaller spaces - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Killing
- Pests and Diseases
- Drought issues - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Honey Fungus - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintenance - fallen tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- General Pictures
- Further Reading
- Planting out rhodies - Video Tip ondemand_video
Rhododendron - Propagation
- Growing from seed
- Rhododendron Seed Collecting - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Potting on Rhododendron seedlings - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation Program - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Growing from cuttings
- Propagation by taking semi-ripe cuttings - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation by layering - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation by other means
- Making a hybrid - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Making a hairy or scaly cross - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Caerhays bred 'Red Centurian'
Rhododendron - Video Spotlights
- R. augustinii, edgeworthii x leucaspis, 'Anne Teese', loderi 'King George' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Rhododendron 'Cilpinense' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Rhododendron decorum (pink form) - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Rhododendron genestrianum - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Five late flowering rhodies - Video Tip ondemand_video
- R. loderi 'King George' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- R. niveum - Video Tip ondemand_video
- R. 'Ostara' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Scented Rhododendrons - Video Tip ondemand_video
Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 1) Collecting Seeds
- When is the right time to collect seeds?
- When are seeds actually ripe and ready for collection?
- Magnolia seed collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Cornus capitata seed collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Lithocarpus Seed Collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Rhododendron seed collecting - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Camellia seed collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 2) Storing Seeds
Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 3) Planting Seeds
Planting Combinations
