Piedmont Rhododendron Rhododendron minus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron carolinianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron MY-nus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Piedmont rhododendron is a woody, evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family that is native to North Carolina, South Carolina, and the Tennessee mountains. One of the smaller species, this plant grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide.
Piedmont rhododendron grows best in partial shade and cool, moist, well-drained, organically rich, acidic soil. It can tolerate full sun in certain areas, although windy sites should be avoided. It cannot tolerate dense clay, and the roots may rot if the soil does not drain well. Plant the root ball high in the soil to help with drainage issues. Avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing.
Site the plant in a naturalized or woodland area, or use it as a border, foundation, or mass planting. Its flowers attract hummingbirds and bees, so it is also suitable as a specimen in a pollinator garden.
Prune rhododendrons and azaleas after they bloom to preserve the current season's bloom, and allow time for the plant to produce flower buds for next year's bloom. Rhododendrons and azaleas set next year's flower buds by mid to late summer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, borers, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly. Leaf spot disease can develop if grown in deep shade or the plant suffers drought stress. Other diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, rust, and powdery mildew. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
Many Rhododendron 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. 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 - 'Album'
- 'Album', 'Carolina Gold', 'Luteum', var. Chapmanii, '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 - 'Album'
- 'Album', 'Carolina Gold', 'Luteum', var. Chapmanii, 'White Perfection'
- Tags:
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-
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
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- While the plants are known to contain toxins, ingestion of moderate amounts of azalea (nectar or leaves) poses little toxic hazard.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Grayanotoxins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
