Rhododendron × geraldii
A large, umbrella-shaped evergreen shrub to around 6m in height, with long, narrow, dark green foliage. Large trusses of pale pink flowers with a central purple blotch appear from January through to April
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Pink | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, leafy humus-rich, acid soil in part shade with shelter from cold winds, ideal for a woodland garden; sun tolerant if soil remains reliably moist but strong sun may bleach flower colour; see rhododendron cultivation. If growing indoors, place in a cool, light well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. See rhododendron cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, layering in autumn or grafting in late summer or late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron leafhopper, pieris lacebug, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to Rhododendron diseases, powdery mildews, rhododendron petal blight, rhododendron bud blast, silver leaf and honey fungus
Get involved
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