Tree rhododendron is an evergreen shrub or small tree grown for its large clusters of bright red, pink or white spring flowers. Give it acid, humus-rich, well-drained soil, dappled shade and shelter from wind.
Family
Ericaceae (Heather family)
Grows as
Tree, Shrub
Light
Part shade
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged, using rainwater if your water is alkaline.
Soil
Moist, well-drained, leafy, humus-rich acid soil (pH about 4.5 to 6).
Temperature
Suits cool temperate climates; protect from frost and harsh winds, and avoid hot, dry exposure.
How easy
Moderate
Safety
Toxic: All parts, including nectar and pollen, contain grayanotoxins that can cause vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure and poisoning.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
Indian Subcontinent to S. Tibet and N. Myanmar
Climate
temperate
About
Rhododendron arboreum, the tree rhododendron, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Thailand. It is the national flower of Nepal.
How to grow it
Rhododendron arboreum prefers moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich, acid pH soil, in dappled shade. It has broad, dark green leaves, 7–19 cm (3–7.5 in) long, with a silvery, fawn or brown hairy coating beneath. This plant is suitable for woodland gardens.
Shelter is imperative to prevent wind damage to leaves.
Where it grows
Rhododendron arboreum is found in the Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Himalayas, Northeast India, and Tibet. It is introduced in Madeira.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Rhododendron arboreum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.