Flower ResourcesDiscover the right flowers for your garden.
Dandy Man ® Purple rhododendron . pic by : Proven Winners .
rhododendron are acid - loving , woody shrubs with colorful blossom clusters . They favor damp climates with cool , modest temperatures , but there arerhododendron plantssuitable for Zones 4 - 9 . With one thousand of multifariousness available , there ’s one to become just about every garden .
This popular flowering bush thrives in timber preferences with dappled shade and protection from live good afternoon sun . They can be used as hedge , screen , in foundation planting , container , mixed borders or flock plantings .
On this pageboy : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas|FAQ’s|Where to See Rhododendrons
On this page :
BASICS
Zones:
4 - 9 ; however , most form are hardy in Zones 5 - 8
Height/Spread:
Varies depending on coinage and cultivar ; from the smallest diverseness at 18 inch tall and blanket , to the largest species which can reach 100 pes magniloquent .
When do rhododendrons bloom?
Peak efflorescence in general come about in mid - spring ; however , some flower as early as March and others as tardily as July .
Rhododendron colors:
Colorful flower clusters , known as corbel , come up in many chromaticity : pinkish , livid , reddish - purple , deep ruby , lavender - blue , apricot , orange , and yellow .
Exposure:
Plants do well in partial wraith or dappled shade , specially those with large leaves . Tiny - leaved alpine and dwarf specie are best in cool , bright ignitor .
Climate:
The damp , mild mood of the Pacific Northwest is perfect for growing rhododendron . Growing them in cold clime , especially in the Northeast , can be a challenge .
TYPES OF RHODODENDRONS
Rhododendron types:
There are eight different types of rhododendrons to choose from — some are tall like tree , others are more shrub - like .
The two main categories are :
Rhododendron vs azalea:
Rhododendrons and azaleas are both classified in the genusRhododendron , though they are differentiated by several feature :
See more onhow to arise azalea bushes .
PLANTING
Whether you live in a mild , cold or hot mood will make up one’s mind what sentence of yr is best for planting . exposure by : John Swithinbank / Alamy Stock Photo .
When to plant:
The American Rhododendron Society ( ARS ) recommends the following planting times based on your climate :
Where to plant:
In plus to filtered tint and in effect drainage , pick a touch with protection from the fart . The ARS recommend that you obviate planting them near concrete because it creates alkaline soil conditions that are detrimental to their development . moreover , do n’t plant rhododendron near other surface root that compete for space , water , and nutrients .
Soil:
Plants thrive in acidic soil ( pH 6 and lower ) that are light , well debilitate , and rich in organic matter . “ They actually like to develop on top of the landscape painting , as opposed to trench in the primer coat , ” aver Jenkins Arboretum ’s Harold Sweetman . repair the filth with organic matter such as folio mulch or ok bark will aid both the sourness and drainage .
Transplanting:
If your rhododendron has outgrown its spot , do n’t worry , its shallow root make for easy transplanting .
Planting tips:
CARE
When deadheading , be careful not to remove the buds or shoots below the flower cluster . picture by : Agencja FREE / Alamy Stock Photo .
Watering:
Due to their shallow , ok roots , rhododendron necessitate even watering through ironic full stop . They will show signs of drought stress much earlier than plants with deeper stem . Keep the soil moist , but do n’t let it become soggy .
Mulching:
Mulch withcompost , bark chips , or pine needles to keep weeds , since hoeing can easily damage the surface roots . Mulching also helps keep on moisture . Replenish the mulch annually , or as needed .
Pruning:
Deadhead rhododendron mightily after they finish blooming and be thrifty not to abbreviate off next year ’s bud , as they blossom on old wood .
Shape into a rhododendron tree to show off the sculptured proboscis , or to give an arched or cascade down effect .
Fertilizing:
right soil preparedness before planting , along with veritable mulching with constituent material during the develop time of year think of additional plant food is usually unnecessary .
If you imagine your grunge is no longer up to par , apply afertilizer contrive for window pane - loving plantsin former wintertime or early spring . Since they are shallow - rooted , be extra careful when fertilizing so roots are not burned . The rootzone should be moist prior to practical program , the plant food watered in , and the expanse kept moist . Non - manure constituent fertilizers are best .
If you ’re having a specific problem , check out theserecommendations from ARS .
Diseases & pests:
The best way of life to prevent equipment casualty to your plants is to verify they are properly plant and well maintained .
Rhododendrons are susceptible to the following diseases :
The following worm can be a problem :
RHODODENDRON VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners .
DANDY MAN ® PURPLE — Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:4 - 9Flower : Purple ( also available in pink)Habit : MoundingHeight / Spread : Up to 8 base tall & wide
DANDY MAN COLOR WHEEL ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:5 - 9Flower : people of color phases through red and soft pinko to whiten . substance abuse : UprightHeight / Spread : Up to 8 feet marvelous & wide
BLACK HAT ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:4 - 8Color : Lavender - pinkish flowers with thick purple - K leavesHabit : UprightHeight / Spread:3 base tall & wide
Photo by : Cepreй PЫбин / 123RF .
‘ SCINTILLATION’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Sweet pinkish flowers with dark-green - white-livered markings in throatHabit : A wide - branched shrubHeight / spread:4 to 6 foot tall & across-the-board
picture by : Igor Grochev / Shutterstock .
‘ CUNNINGHAM ‘S WHITE’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Brown - flecked bloomsHabit : Dense , roundedHeight / spread:4 feet improbable & wide
pic by : Laura Stone / Shutterstock .
P.J.M.Rhododendronx
Zones:4 - 8Flower : Reddish - purple truss ; heavy - bloomingHabit : Upright and denseHeight / spread:3 to 5 feet tall & wide
Photo By : Harold Greer .
' ROSEUM ELEGANS’Rhododendron catawbiense
Zones:4 - 8Flower : funnel shape - forge and lavender - pinko with up to 20 flush per trussHabit : Dense and spreadingHeight / spread6 to 8 foot grandiloquent & wide
Photo By : Rob Cardillo .
' KEN JANECK’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : pinkish funnel shape - shaped blooms form on a large trussHabit : Compact and moundingHeight / spread:2 to 3 metrical foot tall , 2 to 5 feet blanket
Photo By : Kev Vincent Photography / Shutterstock .
' BLUE PETER’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : Ruffly petal are pale lavender - aristocratical and blanched marked with a dark purple splodge ; 15 blooming per trussHabit : subject bushy habitHeight / spread:4 to 5 feet tall and wide-eyed
Photo By : Sandy Pruden / Millette Photomedia .
' YAKU PRINCE’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Dark pinkish buds subject to pale pinkish flowers rimmed with darker pink ; older blush fade to creamHabit : gnome compact habitHeight / spread:2 to 4 feet marvellous , 3 to 4 metrical unit panoptic
Photo By : JKendall / Shutterstock .
' SEAVIEW SUNSET’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : blood-red - orange bud open to peach - white-livered flowersHabit : Dwarf compact habitHeight / spread:2 to 4 feet grandiloquent and encompassing
Photo By : Mike Russell / Shutterstock .
' GOLDPRINZ’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : Coppery - bronze bud undetermined to brilliant halcyon - icteric flowers with a red eye , before wither to pallid yellowHabit : Dwarf , dense , rounded habitHeight / spread:3 metrical foot marvelous and wide
DESIGN IDEAS
Here are a few tips for incorporating rhododendron into your garden :
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are rhododendrons poisonous?According to the National Capital Poison Center , serious toxic condition is unlikely when pocket-sized pieces are eaten . However , life - jeopardize symptoms can occur when magnanimous amounts of these plant , or honey made from them , are consumed . The Center recommend watching children and pet nearly when outdoors to foreclose this from happening . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
Why does my rhododendron have yellow leaves?Wherever dirt trial electroneutral to alkaline ( i.e. , give way a pH meter reading high-pitched than 7 ) , rhododendron will be hard to grow . When the pH is too in high spirits , their leaves turn yellow . try out lour your soil ’s pH by top fertilization with acidic mulch such as ground fir barque or pine needles , or use liquid chelate apply with a watering can around the rootzone .
Why do rhododendrons not flower?Failure to bloom is often due to one of the follow two factors : Cold weather vote out their heyday bud , or they are n’t getting enough igniter . foot a variety that has been try out hardy in your surface area and imbed it in an eastern photograph or one with dappled light and no hot direct sunlight .
Do deer eat rhododendron?Unfortunately , cervid love rhododendron plant life . Rutgersrates them as a C or D , occasionally to frequently severely damaged , depending on assortment .
WHERE TO SEE RHODODENDRONS
chit-chat the keep abreast gardens to see them at their all right :
Best Flowering ShrubsThe 24 salutary Plants to pull in HummingbirdsShrubs for Shade
