Smooth Azalea Rhododendron arborescens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron ar-bor-ESS-senz
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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A loosly branched deciduous shrub that has pink or yellow fragrant flowers and bright orange to crimson fall foliage. It is fast growing and spreads by underground runners. Shallow roots do not like cultivation around them, but rather prefer a thick layer of organic mulch which will help maintain moisture and protect against low winter temperatures. Test your soil as it may need to be acidified before planting and there after to maintain a low enough pH to satisfy this shrub's growth requirements. Does well planted in mixed or shrub boarders, woodland or open shade gardens. It tolerates wet planting sites so would be ideal in a rain garden. Deadhead immediately after bloom to maintain appearance.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Fall, crimson Bloom: Spring/Summer, May-July
Wildlife: Flowers attract butterflies. Tolerates damage by rabbits but is frequently damaged by deer. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. . Disease problems including but are not limited to canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew. Full sun can scorch foliage. A healthy plant planted in the right place with good care should have limited problems.
Compare this Plant to: R. atlanticum, R. vaseyi, R. viscosum
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Dynamite'
- 'Georgiana'
- 'Hot Ginger'
- 'Dynamite'
- 'Dynamite' , 'Georgiana', 'Hot Ginger'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Dynamite'
- 'Georgiana'
- 'Hot Ginger'
- 'Dynamite'
- 'Dynamite' , 'Georgiana', 'Hot Ginger'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- arborescens
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Food source for birds, larval host plant for butterflies and moths.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from July to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- White to light pink fragrant flowers often with pinkish to red stamens from May to July (after new leaves have fully expanded); may bloom sporadically all summer; strong fragrance
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Lustrous dark green leaves; bright orange or crimson fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
