Evergreen types may begin to curl their leaves during the winter, and this is actually a physiological response to dry winter weather. Rhododendrons belong to the Ericaceae (or heath) family. By curling their leaves, they are protecting themselves from cold temperatures and winds in order to prevent potential winter burn. Wild rhododendrons are found from sea level to 16,000 feet in elevation, and they occur in a variety of habitats, including alpine regions, coniferous and broadleaved woodlands, temperate rain … In general the profile of rhododendron … Rhododendron is a flowering plant. It has a low, compact habit to 5 feet tall and wide and bears clusters of small, clear pink flowers that fade to white. This will keep the shrubs decently moist and prevent them from drying out—dry winters and late falls can be particularly fatal to rhododendrons. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Flowers are backed by rich green evergreen foliage. In the British Isles, R. ponticum has become a serious weed. Things to Do in Rhododendron, Clackamas County: See Tripadvisor's 1,742 traveler reviews and photos of Rhododendron tourist attractions. Damaged or diseased growth should always be removed to prevent the spread of disease. It is related to blueberry and heather plants. Omissions? Large-leaved species (and their hybrids) from the Himalayan region have long been popular ornamental plants in temperate areas without extreme winter cold. It tops out around 4-5 feet tall. Ideal soil pH for rhododendron plants is somewhere between 4.5 and 6.0. See which names were most popular this year! Zones 4-9. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Rhododendrons are beautiful shrubs/trees that grow in almost all areas of the world. With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. It may be evergreen or deciduous. Randall Schieber, Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke. All Rights Reserved. The hardy catawba hybrids are derived from R. catawbiense and allied species. The plants are able to survive and bloom for many years. Many of the deciduous types also boast bright yellow and orange hues that work wonders in brightening up shady corners of the garden. You can amend the soils with peat moss, compost, and other soil acidifiers to keep them happy. The underside of the leaves may be scaly and may have small dots. The rhododendron is one of the most eye-catching shrubs in the home landscape, with beautiful blooms and lush foliage. Rhododendrons and azaleas often get confused. Zones 5-8. Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day. Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space. Zones 8-9. These often-broadleaf evergreen plants boast large clusters of showy blooms at their growing tips in spring. See more. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Rhododendron schlippenbachii, the royal azalea, is a species of Rhododendron native to the Korean Peninsula and adjacent regions of Manchuria (Liaoning, Nei Mongol), Japan, and the Russian Far East.It is the dominant understory shrub in many Korean hillside forests, growing at … Evergreen foliage complements the 3-inch-wide flowers on this variety. A classic shade garden plant, rhododendrons are prized for their glossy green foliage and showy clusters of blooms. Zones 6-8. Rhododendron 'Karen' is a hardy evergreen azalea bearing purple flowers in spring. The rhododendron bush is an attractive, blooming specimen in many landscapes and is fairly low maintenance when planted properly. On the other end of the spectrum, overly wet soils can also be fatal to rhododendrons. Introduced in the late 18th century from Spain, Portugal, and, to a lesser extent, Turkey, this rhododendron forms impenetrable thickets in which virtually nothing else grows. Rhododendrons and azaleas are acid-loving, woody shrubs with colorful flower clusters. Rhododendron 'Hino Crimson' is a dwarf, densely growing azalea that produces bright red flowers. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Zones 5-8. Historically, gardeners have been told to dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball. Rhododendron, (genus Rhododendron), any of a genus of woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage. Leaf spot can be caused by a number of reasons, including chemical burns, fungi and viral infections. Zones 6-9. The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained, A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To, Call Your Stylist: These Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Spring, 7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now, Luna, Bella & Lily Top This Year's List of Most Popular Cat Names, protecting themselves from cold temperatures, Add Year-Round Color to Your Garden with Evergreen Shrubs. Rhodora (R. canadense), from northeastern North America, bears rose-purple flowers before the leaves unfurl. A classic shade garden plant, rhododendrons are prized for their glossy green foliage and showy clusters of blooms. Rhododendrons are actually the most popular woody landscape plant in the United States. While most garden beds focus on flowers, this mixed border emphasizes foliage plants of varying heights and textures, and throws flowers in for interest. Zones 6-9. Rhododendron 'Purple Dragon' features striking dark purple-red flowers that open at the branch tips in late spring. Deep brunettes, sandy blondes, and bold reds are in this year. Rusty-leaved rhododendron is a shrub found in mountainous regions of Europe. The exposed trunks should face the north or east, or be protected from the sun by buildings or other plants. Zones 5-8. Can tolerate full sun. It grows to 4 feet tall and wide. Rhododendron 'Sun Chariot' is an upright, dense-growing spring-blooming variety that grows 6 feet tall and wide. When to plant rhod… Zones 7-9. The great laurel rhododendron (R. maximum), overlapping in distribution with the catawba, ranges more northeasterly; it is often grown as an ornamental. Rhododendron 'Olga Mezitt' is an evergreen selection that produces small trusses of deep peach-pink flowers. People tend to think of rhododendrons as larger evergreen plants with big clusters of blooms. The genus is large and extremely diverse, comprising about 850 species. The terrain that proved so treacherous for wagons today makes for great mountain biking. Rhododendron 'Cecile' grows vigorously to become a dense, 7-foot-tall and 7-foot-wide shrub with trusses of large, salmon-pink flowers. Rhododendron plants, similar to many other plants in the Ericaceae family, prefer acidic soils. After bloom is also the ideal time to do any other pruning. Rhododendron Size. Zones 7-9. Pruning may be necessary to create a more desirable shape and overall more visually appealing plant. Height, flower color and form, leaf … In fall, leaves change to a gold or reddish purple. Rhododendron grows in cool climate, on slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They prefer damp climates and mild temperatures, but there are rhododendron plants and azalea bushes suitable for Zones 4-9. We've got the low-down on how to make sure everything from your perennials to your roses are ready when the snow flies. It bears yellow blooms with orange blotches in large clusters. This genus contains more than 1,000 species of woody plants. Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' is a large evergreen shrub that bears trusses of deep red flowers with spotted throats. It grows 6 feet tall and wide. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. With easy access to outdoor pursuits year-round, Rhododendron exudes the warmth of a friendly alpine town. Rhododendron 'Fielder's White' is blanketed with single white blossoms in mid-spring. This family of plants contains an option for every landscape, from the giant rhododendrons of East Asian mountainsides to the rosebay rhododendrons native to Eastern U.S. woodlands. We reach for them after school and after dinner. Rhododendron, the scientific name of rhododendrons, means rosewood. Zones 4-8. A splendid border shrub tha… Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style. Rhododendrons have a few requirements: excellent drainage, a soil pH between 4.5 and 6.0, and protection from hot afternoon sun. The genus Rhododendron includes the azalea and Labrador tea, which were sometimes considered distinct. Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. It grows up to 0.5 M. It belongs to the Ericaceae family. Although rhododendron is examined in 6 groups, rhododendron and hymenanthens are the most preferred species for those dealing with ornamental plants. It is related to other rhododendrons, some of which are considered poisonous. Both can be small trees, up to 6 metres or taller. It grows 5 feet tall and wide. Rhododendron 'Trude Webster' forms a compact, upright plant with clustered, clear pink flowers. It grows 4-6 feet tall and wide. In fall, its foliage turns from bright green to glowing orange and red, igniting the garden with color. Rhododendrons are shrubs which include many varieties. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Rhododendron leaf spot is a disease that produces small to large brown spots on rhododendron leaves. To prevent this, plant evergreen types in sheltered areas, avoiding southern exposures where warm, sunny winter days can be fatal. The spots grow into each other and make the whole leaf appear brown. The leaves of the smaller azalea are usually pointed and narrow; the leaves of the rhododendron are generally large and leathery. Thanks to the efforts of both American and Asian hybridizers, thousands of azalea and rhododendron species are available commercially. After the plants have bloomed, spent blossoms can be cut back to the new growing tips. This winter front door display is layered with holiday cheer. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Rhododendron 'Rose Queen', a cotton-candy-pink cultivar, has ruffled flowers in mid-spring. There are over 800 species of rhododendrons ranging from spreading groundcovers a few inches high to 100 foot tall trees and many thousands of registered, named varieties. Some of the most common dangers to your rhododendron include aphids, root rot and Japanese beetles. Your kitty deserves a name as special as she is. Now, azalea has become more of a common name within certain types of rhododendrons. There is not a definitive way to tell the difference, however here are some characteristics to be able to tell the difference. 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