Twenty-four species of rhododendron are native to North America. English Language Learners Definition of rhododendron : an evergreen bush that has large, bright flowers and that is often grown in gardens See the full definition for rhododendron in the English Language Learners Dictionary Rhododendron definition, any evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree belonging to the genus Rhododendron, of the heath family, having rounded clusters of showy, pink, purple, or white flowers and oval or oblong leaves. A deciduous type azalea, it features bright orange blooms in spring on naked stems before the foliage emerges. Rhododendron Size. Evergreen foliage complements the 3-inch-wide flowers on this variety. Rhododendrons are fibrous, shallow rooted plants that need good drainage to perform well. One of the first and most beautiful spring-flowering native azaleas to bloom, Rhododendron vaseyi (Pink-Shell Azalea) is a deciduous, irregular rounded shrub which features trusses of 4 to 8 delicate pink to white, flat-faced flowers on leafless stems, with some prominent spotting in their throat. Omissions? This Rhododendron is a hybrid between two other Rhododendrons that are renowned for their hardiness and impressive growth habit. You can also do rejuvenation pruning by cutting older plants back more severely to encourage better branching. Rhododendrons are native chiefly in the North Temperate Zone, especially in the moist acid soil of the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia to the mountains of New Guinea. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule. If you have had problems growing rhododendrons in the past, perform a soil test. ^ “rhododendron”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000. With easy access to outdoor pursuits year-round, Rhododendron exudes the warmth of a friendly alpine town. The leaves are used to make medicine. It grows 5 to 10 feet tall and wide. With thousands of varieties available, there's one to suit just about every garden. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' is a large evergreen shrub that bears trusses of deep red flowers with spotted throats. Zones 7-9. Leaves are thick and leathery and are evergreen in all but the azalea species, some of which are deciduous. To prevent this, plant evergreen types in sheltered areas, avoiding southern exposures where warm, sunny winter days can be fatal. 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. Rhododendron, (genus Rhododendron), any of a genus of woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage. Rhododendron, (genus Rhododendron), any of a genus of woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage. They are great for landscaping and produce beautiful flowers in the spring and summer. 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. Available in a wide variety of colors, the most common flowers are borne in ranges of purples and pinks as well as white and cream. Rhododendrons and azaleas are acid-loving, woody shrubs with colorful flower clusters. Height, flower color and form, leaf … Rhododendron 'Fielder's White' is blanketed with single white blossoms in mid-spring. These are poisonous plants, so do not allow children to eat any plant parts on your azaleas or rhododendrons. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Rhododendron 'Rose Queen', a cotton-candy-pink cultivar, has ruffled flowers in mid-spring. It grows 5 feet tall and wide. In areas where dry winters tend to desiccate evergreen types, deciduous varieties of rhododendrons can fill in the gap. Many of the deciduous types also boast bright yellow and orange hues that work wonders in brightening up shady corners of the garden. The catawba rhododendron, or mountain rosebay (R. catawbiense), of the southeastern United States, is plentiful and a great flowering attraction in June in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is not a definitive way to tell the difference, however here are some characteristics to be able to tell the difference. After bloom is also the ideal time to do any other pruning. Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. By far, the largest number of wild species rhododendrons are native to Asia. Both can be small trees, up to 6 metres or taller. 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