The Rhododendron is a beautiful ornamental shrub that brings a blaze of colour and stunning flowers to the garden in early spring. Most varieties are evergreen and are a great year-round feature, even when the days of spring are a distant memory.
Rhododendrons have beautiful flowers that add colour to the garden in the early spring before the other plants bloom. They are perfect for containers but also work well as a woodland-themed border or as a standalone feature shrub. Their colour and versatility make them a fantastic addition to any garden.
View our collection of plantsRhododendron Varieties
A selection of some of our most popular rhododendron varieties to try in your own garden.
Rhododendron ‘Dreamland’
Dreamland has dome-shaped pale pink flowers that deepen as the plant matures, leaving them with dark pink edges. It has dark foliage with stiff green leaves that are pale underneath.
| Sun requirements | Partial shade |
| Soil | They require acidic soil. If this is not possible, then they are also ideal for container planting with ericaceous compost. They do require good drainage, so avoid waterlogging by ensuring the container has drainage holes |
| Hardiness | Fully hardy |
| Size | 1.5m height and 1m spread |
| Flowering time | From April to May |
Rhododendron ‘Cosmopolitan’
The funnel-shaped flowers on Cosmopolitan begin with a deep red flare and glossy dark leaves, which then gradually fade to a softer shade of light pink.
| Sun requirements | Partial shade |
| Soil | They require acidic soil. If this is not possible, then they are also ideal for container planting with ericaceous compost. They do require good drainage, so avoid waterlogging by ensuring the container has drainage holes |
| Hardiness | Fully hardy |
| Size | 2.5 in height and spread |
| Flowering time | Spring |
Rhododendron Cunningham’s White
Cunningham’s White put on a truly stunning display. These robust plants start out with mauve buds that grow into loose trusses of funnel-shaped white flowers.
| Sun requirements | Partial shade |
| Soil | They require acidic soil. If this is not possible, then they are also ideal for container planting with ericaceous compost. They do require good drainage, so avoid waterlogging by ensuring the container has drainage holes |
| Hardiness | Fully hardy |
| Size | 2.5m in height and 4m spread |
| Flowering time | Spring |
Rhododendron Plant Care
Planting
Rhododendrons can be planted from October to March.
Good soil preparation is absolutely vital for rhododendrons and it is definitely worth spending the time to get it right. Prepare an area that is larger, but not deeper, than the root ball to allow for growth. Place the rootball two inches higher than the soil and use a base of organic matter, such as leaf mould or bark, and mix this into the soil. When the plant is in the ground, lightly cover it. It is best to avoid compaction so that the air can circulate, so be careful not to pack the soil around it.
When deciding where to plant your rhododendron, be mindful of shade. A spot with dappled shady patches that can provide some shelter is ideal, but they don’t like to be in full shade or too close to dense tree growth, which will take the moisture and light away from the plant. Avoid areas that catch the early morning sun if possible.
If you want to grow a rhododendron in a container, remember that the hybrid R. yakushimanum is an excellent choice. Dreamland is just one of these and is perfect for containers and small gardens. Remember that rhododendrons aren’t suitable houseplants and they should be kept outdoors.
Watering
Look after your Rhododendrons by frequently watering, but they find tap water to have too much calcium for them to flourish, so rainwater is recommended, particularly in hard water regions.
Pruning
Pruning as and when required should be carried out from mid to late spring.
Complementary Planting Ideas
Camellias have the same soil requirements and care conditions as rhododendrons, so they make ideal companions. They also grow well with other woodland plants that thrive in shady areas, such as Dicentra spectablis and Iris siberica, which add a beautiful burst of striking colour.
Dwarf varieties look great when sitting in a rock garden; they are slower growers, so extend the flowering period into early summer. As well as being compact, dwarves have an incredibly varied range of colours too, with greens being complemented by reds, bronzes, blues and even golds.
Rhododendrons grow brilliantly with tulips to make a picturesque spring border early in the season when they bloom. Beyond that, consider complementing their foliage with shrubs that can provide colour throughout the year during the rhododendrons non-blooming months. When selecting other plants, stay clear of any that are moisture-hungry, so the rhododendrons won’t have to compete.
Fact
The nectar of Rhododendron ponticum can be used to create, what has been termed “mad honey.” Honey made from the nectar has hallucinogenic and poisonous effects, so it was used in 67 BC by the Persian army as a weapon against the Roman army. It can still be found today, particularly in Turkey, where the ponticum originates from.
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