Korean Rhododendron Rhododendron mucronulatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron myoo-kron-yoo-LAY-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Korean Rhododendron is a woody deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family. It has spectacular showy pink flowers that appear in late winter to early spring before its diamond-shaped leaves appear. It can be used as a houseplant or in interiorscape design in the landscape as a cultivated woody shrub in forested or natural area.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Late Winter/Early spring
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. Early flowering makes it susceptible to spring freezes.
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:
-
- 'Cornell Pink'
Rich pink flowers - 'Mahogany Red'
Deep pink flowers
- 'Cornell Pink'
- 'Cornell Pink', 'Mahogany Red'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cornell Pink'
Rich pink flowers - 'Mahogany Red'
Deep pink flowers
- 'Cornell Pink'
- 'Cornell Pink', 'Mahogany Red'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- mucronulatum
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northeastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Bright rosy pink to pinkish purple flowers in spring before leaves emerge
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, medium green leaves; aromatic when crushed; yellow, bronzy crimson red fall color
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- 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
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
