Rhododendrons are a beautiful addition to your backyard. Known as the state flower for West Virginia, these easy-to-care-for shrubs produce brightly colored flowers that can be blue, yellow, lilac, orange, purple, pink, or white.
If you’re wondering whether or not that bright flowering bush in your yard is a rhododendron, here are some tips on how to identify rhododendrons.
How To Identify Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are rounded shrubs that bloom tubular or funnel-shaped flowers in various colors that grow in clusters at the end of each branch. They emit a fragrance that can be spicy or sweet that resembles lemon and spice.
Rhododendrons are excellent pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their bright colors.
Are Rhododendrons Native To North America
Some rhododendron species are native to North America. While around 90% of species originate from Southeast Asia, North America is home to around 25 native species.
Rhododendrons native to the United States can be found in the Appalachian Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, California, the Northeast, and the Rocky Mountains.
Rhododendron Care
● Hardiness zone: Zones 4-9
● Where to plant: Plant in a sheltered spot with partial sun
● Where should you not plant: Avoid areas in full sun or near concrete foundations
● Height/spread: Up to 20 feet tall, 3 feet wide
● Sunlight: Partial sun, full shade
● Flowering dates: Late February to July, with peak blooms in late April or early May
● Best time to prune: Prune immediately after the shrub’s blooming period.
● Deer resistance: Rhododendron shrubs are not resistant to deer. Deer often eat rhododendron flowers in the winter.
Potential Rhododendron Threats
Rhododendron bushes have shallow roots and delicate flowers, making them susceptible to various diseases and infestations, such as fungal leaf spots, root rot, lace bugs, and Black Vine weevils, where the larvae will feed on roots and adults feed on foliage at night. Damage from this insect is noticeable, where notches on leaf margins and holes in the center of foliage are created.
Rhododendrons are also sensitive to harsh cold weather and overexposure to sunlight, requiring protection during the winter months.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS?
