Rhododendron W.F.H. Group

RHS Plant Profile

rhododendron W.F.H. Group

Other common names

rhododendron 'W.F.H.'

Shrubs

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A neat and compact rhododendron ideal for small gardens, the front of the border or containers. Bears loose clusters of funnel-shaped bright red flowers in late spring. Leaves are matt green and have dense tan-coloured indumentum on the underside.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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

Plant in moist acidic soil which has been enriched with organic matter (such as leaf mould). In containers use an ericaceous compost. Plants do best in dappled shade. Keep well watered until established. See rhododendron cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings, grafting or layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, leaf hoppers, lacebugs, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, bud blast, honey fungus, rust, leafy gall, petal blight and phytophthora root and shoot rots