Rhododendron vaseyi
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Biltia vaseyi
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron vah-SAY-ee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Pinkshell azalea is a woody, broadleaf evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that is native only to the mountains of North Carolina. It is found growing near bogs and streams in acidic, moist and wet substrates. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a rounded irregular habit. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.
Plant in full sun to partial shade for best blooming in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. It does not tolerate dense clay, so if you have clay soil, amend with organic material. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering.
It is an early blooming azalea and the pink flowers appear before the leaves do, making them stand out even better. The flowers lack the trumpet form of most native azaleas and are flatter in shape. Fall foliage is red to burgundy if it gets some sun.
Use in a woodland, pollinator, or native garden as a specimen or in groups. It may also be used as a hedge or in foundation plantings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, borers, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew.
While these shrubs remain very popular for landscape use, many 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. However, if you have a site with a history of this disease, consider planting a root rot-resistant alternative species.
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:
-
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- vaseyi
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- NC, MA
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli. Tolerates damage by rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
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
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule slits in the middle. Displays from August to October.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1.5- 2.25-inch soft pink flowers with orange freckles in the throat. Appear in clusters before leaves emerge. Blooms from April-May.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple medium green leaves are 2-5 inches long. Deep burgundy fall color if grown in some sun.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
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
