Rhododendrons have earned their place in our WNC gardens! Besides being native to our beloved mountains, they’re pretty much indestructible and beautiful. When a plant is tried and true and beautiful, it’s worth considering for your landscape!
Too often we search for that “interesting” plant when right in front of us is a stunning, reliable plant that we won’t lose sleep or money over. Plus, there are many cultivars from which to choose, such as those with all-white flowers (‘Chionoides’) to deep purple flowers (‘Lee’s Dark’) and so many colors in-between. Also, these lovely shrubs come in sizes that are good for big hedges or for small patios and containers. It’s time to rethink rhododendrons in the garden.
Rhododendrons are:
- Evergreen
- Maintenance free
- Shade lovers
- Great for slopes
- Good hedges, screens, and privacy walls
- Understory shrubs in forested areas
- Easy to rejuvenate prune when necessary (Read about rejuvenation pruning )
- Available in a variety of colors and sizes
- Late spring to early summer bloomers
- Shrubs that like cool climates
- Loaded with beautiful, showy blooms
Caring for rhododendrons is actually pretty darn easy. Here’s what they need to thrive…
- Part Sun to shade
- Well-drained, moist soil; they suffer if they dry out
- A ph of 4.5-6.
- Pruning immediately after blooming as they bloom on old wood
- To be bermed up for better drainage when planting.
- Fertilized yearly with Holly Tone
Good companion plants include:
- Evergreen and deciduous azaleas
- Camellia
- Illicium
- Pieris Japonica
- Mountain laurel
- Oak Leaf Hydrangeas
- Hydrangea macrophylla
- Spring-flowering trees (dogwoods, redbuds, weeping cherry)
- Japanese maples
- Witch hazel
- Magnolia trees
That’s it. Easy plants. In WNC where shade dominates, what to plant on a slope is pretty much everyone’s issue, and the “messy forest” between neighbors needs tidying up. Rhododendrons are your go-to shrub.
And while rhododendrons have their problems like all plants (spider mites, lacebugs, weevils, cholorosis, fungal dieback, winter burn), if they are situated correctly (correct drainage, sunlight, etc.), they are typically pest and disease free. So, if your current ones are having problems, assess the location and consider transplanting.
Check out these five, and fall in love again with a beautiful, flowering, evergreen shrub that likes shade.
Rhododendron ‘Percy Wiseman’
- Bloom color: Shades of red, pink, purplish pink, yellow throat
- Bloom time: Mid-to-late season
- Size: 3′-4’x 4′-6′
- Cold hardiness temp: –5
- Sunlight: Full to partial sun
- Pollinator: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies
- Use: Accent, small gardens, patio areas, courtyards, containers
Rhododendron ‘Roseum Elegans’
- Bloom color: Lavender
- Bloom time: Late season
- Size: 6′-8′ x 6′-8′
- Cold hardiness temp: -25
- Sunlight: Can tolerate shadier conditions
- Flowers: Ball shaped truss holds 20 flowers 2″-3″
- Use: Hedge, privacy screen, woodland garden
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’
- Bloom color: Buds pink, blossoms white
- Bloom time: Midseason
- Size: 3′ x 3′
- Cold hardiness temp: -15
- Sunlight: Likes high open shade, sun dappled
- Flowers: Buds are pink, blossoms are white
- Use: Accent, borders or beds, massed, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, small gardens
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Prince’
- Bloom color: Pink
- Bloom time: Midseason
- Size: 3′ x 3′
- Cold hardiness temp: -10
- Sunlight: Likes high open shade, sun dappled
- Flowers: Deep pink buds open to bright pink flowers
- Use: Accent, borders or beds, massed, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, small gardens
Rhododendron ‘Lee’s Dark Purple’
- Bloom color: Dark purple bud, dark purple blooms
- Bloom time: Late mid-season
- Size: 6′ x 6′
- Cold hardiness temp: -10
- Sunlight: Part Shade
- Flowers: Deep purple buds open to dark-to-light purple flowers
- Use: Hedge, privacy screen, woodland gardens, border
Rhododendron ‘Capistrano’
- Bloom color: Soft yellow
- Bloom time: Early
- Size: 3′-5’x 5′-6′
- Sunlight: Part shade to full shade
- Flowers: 2” across with frilly edges
- Use: Hedge, woodland gardens, border
Rhododendron ‘Honey Butter’
- Bloom color: Pink, yellow
- Bloom time: Midseason
- Size: 3’x 3′
- Sunlight: Part shade to part sun
- Flowers: 3” wide with wavy edges
- Uses: Borders, woodland gardens, small hedges
Consider rhododendrons for your outdoor space! They’re easy, beautiful, flowering, evergreen, native shrubs that like shade. Go get one or two or three rhododendrons and enjoy!
