Rhododendron grande
large rhododendron
A small evergreen tree or large shrub, to 9m tall, with large, leathery leaves, up to 30cm long, dark green above and silvery-white, or covered in a dull, light brown down, beneath. Dense rounded trusses of bell-shaped, cream to pale yellow flowers, each with a purple basal blotch, open from pink buds, in late winter to mid spring
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream Yellow White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side, and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C & E Himalaya to S Tibet
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich acid soil in part shade with shelter; best suited to woodland gardens in milder counties; see rhododendron cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed when ripe, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, layering in autumn or grafting in late summer or late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron and azalea whitefly, rhododendron leafhopper, pieris lacebug, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to various Rhododendron diseases including powdery mildews, rhododendron petal blight, rhododendron bud blast, silver leaf and honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.