Rhododendron vaseyi
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron vah-SAY-ee
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Woody, evergreen or deciduous shrubs/The flowers lack tubes of most native azaleas. Has attractive deep burgundy fall foliage and an irregular upright habit. Tolerates wet planting sites.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Fall, burgandy Bloom: Spring/Summer, May-July
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 scortch 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.
Compare this Plant to: R. arborescens, R. atlanticum, R. viscosum
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- vaseyi
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- 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. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule. Displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Soft pink to white flowers with orange freckles before leaves emerge; not fragrant; flowers lack tubes of most native azaleas. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple medium green leaves; deep burgundy fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
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, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
