Rhododendron 'Dr. A. Blok'

'Dr. A. Blok' is a rhododendron cultivarin the Ericaceae (blueberry) family.  This compact evergreen flowering shrub has dark green leathery leaves and showy bright pink bright pink funnel shaped blooms that appear in mid to late spring.. 

Plant in location with partial or llight shade and organically rich acidic soils.  This shrub will require regular watering.  Typically, the maximum height and width this plant will grow is to about 7 feet (2.13 m) by 7 feet (2.13 m). 

Makes a great addition to a shady border, as a low hedge or an accent plant.  Use as an undestory shrub in a woodland garden or naturalized area.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant 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. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.

While these shrubs remain very popular for landscape use, many cultivars are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot– this leads to leaf loss, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and wilting.  Implement good cultural practices first, such as improving drainage with organic matter or berms and avoiding overwatering or overfertilization.  However, if you have a site with a history of this disease, consider planting one of the root rot-resistant alternative species listed in the left-hand sidebar.

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.

More information on Rhododendron.