Rhododendron austrinum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron aw-STRIH-num
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Loose multi-stemmed woody shrub; easy to grow; fragrant flowers; native to the lower southeastern US, but not native to North Carolina; drought tolerant.
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract hummingbirds. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rhododendrons are susceptible to insect and disease problems. Insect problems include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Full sun can scorch the leaves and the roots rot if soil does not drain well. A healthy plant in the right place with proper maintenance should have few problems. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
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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- 'Don's Variegated'
- 'Firecracker'
- 'Lisa's Gold'
- 'Don's Variegated'
- 'Don's Variegated', 'Firecracker', 'Lisa's Gold'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Don's Variegated'
- 'Firecracker'
- 'Lisa's Gold'
- 'Don's Variegated'
- 'Don's Variegated', 'Firecracker', 'Lisa's Gold'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- austrinum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- lower southeastern US
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Clear yellow, cream, gold-orange to almost red flowers in spring before leaves emerge
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple dark green leaves; yellow to bronze-orange fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
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
