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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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Good to know
Named after plant collector Frank Kingdon Ward (1885-1958). Introduced 1913. -
Pests & Diseases
Vine weevils, whiteflies, scale insects, caterpillars, aphids, honey fungus, powdery mildew, bud blast. -
Place of origin
Tibet, China -
Evergreen
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Yellow
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Fully hardy
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Height
6m (20ft) -
Spread
5m (15ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
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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) -
Summer Seasonal Interest
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harmful if eaten
(People & Pets) -
Mature Size6m (20ft)
5m (15ft)
Planting Tips and Care Advice
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Pruning group
Pruning group 8
Suitable for: Wall trained shrubs and less vigorous climbers.
Action: For climbers 'spur prune' by cutting back 3-4 buds of the permanent framework. For wall trained shrubs cut back flowered shoots to within 2-4 buds of permanent framework.
When: Annually after flowers if on previous year's growth, or in late Winter or Spring if on current year's growth.
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Soil Conditions
Fertile moist well-drained soilHumus-rich. Requires excellent drainage.Neutral to acid soilIdeally pH 4.5-5.5
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
