Rhododendron periclymenoides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron nudiflorum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron per-ih-kly-men-OY-deez
- Description
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Rhododendron periclymenoides, commonly called pinxterbloom azalea, is a deciduous shrub that is native to moist woods, swamp margins and open areas from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. It is a dense, bushy, suckering shrub that typically grows 2-6’ (less frequently to 10’) tall. Its bark is gray to reddish-brown and finely shredded.
It does best with a half day of sun. It has a slow growth rate.
Regions: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plains
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Early spring/spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
Wildlife Value: This plant has a low resistance to damage from deer. Hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies are attracted to the blooms. 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 the 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.
Formerly known as Rhododendron nudiflorum.
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- periclymenoides
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of soft pink (often cotton candy pink) to white to lavender, slightly fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers (to 1.5” across), each with 5 long curved stamens, bloom in April immediately preceding the emergence of the foliage.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong to elliptic green leaves. The leaves are alternate, simple, smooth- or toothed-margined. It has dull yellow fall foliage.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous
- Similar plants:
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Ceanothus americanus
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Cornus amomum
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Monarda fistulosa
