Rhododendron platypodum
broad-stemmed rhododendron
A half-hardy evergreen shrub, usually to about 1.5m high in cultivation, though this species can reach up to 6m in its native habitat. Leaves are thick and leathery, broadly elliptic to rounded, dark matt green with a striking yellow-green midrib, and up to 13cm long, held on short, winged stems. Flowers are produced in tall clusters at the tips of the stems, bearing 12-15 pendent, funnel-shaped soft pink flowers in mid spring
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green Yellow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | |||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter | Green Yellow |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
In mild, frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in a sheltered position, in moist but well-drained, humus rich, acidic soil. Position in partial or dappled shade, and add an annual organic mulch (ideally leaf mould). In colder areas, this cultivar is best grown under glass in ericaceous compost. See rhododendron cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, by layering in autumn, or by grafting in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Needs minimal pruning, though restrictive pruning may be required if grown under glass. See pruning group 8 (evergreens) for guidance
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 powdery mildews, honey fungus, silver leaf and Phytophthora, as well as more specific Rhododendron diseases
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