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Rhododendron arboreum

Also Known As

Rhododendron arboreum ssp. arboreum

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 10'-30'
W: 10'-20'

planting zones

7b-9b

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Rhododendron arboreum plant details

Rhododendron arboreum is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring red flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Rhododendron arboreum

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 10 FT - 20 FT - wide, 10 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in spring
Uses: border plant, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Rhododendron arboreum

USDA Zones: 7b - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

These plants have a distinctly different, almost primeval quality. R. arboreum ssp. arboreum has red flowers (occasionally white or pink) and elliptic leaves up to seven and a half inches long. The leaves have a silvery white fuzzy indumentum on the undersides. Grows to six feet in 10 years. Blooms in early spring. From India, Nepal and Bhutan.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

The name means "treelike", and the growth habit is truly treelike. Lance shaped foliage is hard and tough, dark and smooth, shiny green. The underside has whitish indumentum of the plastered type. The flower, to 2", is cup shaped, typically blood red with dark nectar pouches, held in tight trusses of 15-20. (Subgenus Hymenthes, Subsect. Arborea)

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

The growth habit is tree-like. Foliage is hard and tough, lance-shaped and shiny green. Flower to 2" is cup-shaped, rose-red in tight trusses of 15-20.