Election Pink Rhododendron roseum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron prinophyllum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-do-DEN-dron RO-zee-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Woody, evergreen or deciduous shrubs; leaves alternate, simple, smooth- or toothed-margined; flowers in a terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted, white to deep pink or yellow; fruit an elongated capsule. Hardy.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible many insect predators and diseases. Potential insect problems include aphids, borers, galls, lacebugs, scale, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips, whiteflies and mites and disease problems include powdery mildew, blights, root rots, and leaf spots. A well-maintained healthy plant in the proper environment should have limited problems, however. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
This plant was formally known as R. roseum.
Form: Much-branched; spreading branches
Poison Part: All parts.
Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion
Severity: HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
Found in: Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area.
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:
-
- 'Elegans'
- 'Marie Hoffman'
- 'Pink Lights'
- 'Rosey Lights'
- 'Spicy Lights'
- 'Elegans'
- 'Elegans', 'Marie Hoffman', 'Pink Lights', 'Rosey Lights', 'Spicy Lights'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Elegans'
- 'Marie Hoffman'
- 'Pink Lights'
- 'Rosey Lights'
- 'Spicy Lights'
- 'Elegans'
- 'Elegans', 'Marie Hoffman', 'Pink Lights', 'Rosey Lights', 'Spicy Lights'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- roseum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from the flowers attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- elongated capsule. Displays from August to October.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted, white to deep pink or yellow. Blooms from May to June.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, bright green leaves, smooth- or toothed-margined; fall color is green to bronze
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- 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
