Piedmont Rhododendron Rhododendron minus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron carolinianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron MY-nus
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
A woody evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family. It takes on an upright, rounded, dense, spreading shape, growing irregular with age. The elliptical foliage is dark green and leathery, and the crushed leaves have an aromatic fragrance. Good for mass planting.
Grows best in partial shade and cool, moist, well-drained, acidic, rich soil. It can tolerate full sun in certain areas, although windy sites should be avoided.
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. Leaf spot disease can develop if grown in deep shade or suffers drought stress. Other diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, 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.
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:
-
- 'Album'
White flowers - 'Carolina Gold'
Yellowish-white flowers - 'Luteum'
Yellowish-white flowers
var. Chapmanii
- 'White Perfection'
White flowers, compact form, and heavy blooms
Rose-pink flowers; endangered var. minus
Pink flowers - 'Album'
- 'Album', 'Carolina Gold', 'Luteum', var. Chapmanii, var. minus, 'White Perfection'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Album'
White flowers - 'Carolina Gold'
Yellowish-white flowers - 'Luteum'
Yellowish-white flowers
var. Chapmanii
- 'White Perfection'
White flowers, compact form, and heavy blooms
Rose-pink flowers; endangered var. minus
Pink flowers - 'Album'
- 'Album', 'Carolina Gold', 'Luteum', var. Chapmanii, var. minus, 'White Perfection'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- minus
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee mountains
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October.
-
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Small magenta-pink (rose-pink) flower in large trusses of 5 to 10. Greenish spots on the petals. Blooms from April to June after new leaves develop.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Small, glossy, leathery, elliptical leaves 2 to 3 in. long and .75 to 1.5 in. wide. Undersides are scaled with brown spots, petioles reddish-brown. Aromatic when crushed. Purplish tinge in winter, some older leaves turning yellow and falling off.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Usually hidden by foliage.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! 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
