Rhododendron campanulatum
bell-flowered rhododendron
R. campanulatum is a large, evergreen shrub, to 4m tall, with broadly oblong leaves, to 15cm long; new leaves are covered with a suede-like, rust-brown indumentum. Rounded trusses, of 8-12 flowers, are borne in mid to late spring with colours ranging from white to rose-pink to lilac or purple
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Pink White | Brown | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | |||
| Autumn | Brown Green | |||
| Winter | Brown Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- Himalaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich acid soil in part shade with shelter; 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
- Hedging and screens
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
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