Rhododendron 'Lady Alice Fitzwilliam'
rhododendron 'Lady Alice Fitzwilliam'
A half-hardy evergreen shrub to around 1m high, with a slightly straggly habit, and elliptic, glossy dark green leaves, with deeply impressed veins and fine downy hairs on the upper surfaces, scaly beneath. Produces clusters of 2-3 highly fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers, white flushed with pink and with yellow markings at the base of the upper petals, in mid spring
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
In mild, frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in a sheltered position, in humus rich, acidic soil; this cultivar needs excellent drainage. 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 an ericaceous potting mix. See rhododendron cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, 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
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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