Rhododendron vaseyi

Common Name(s):

Pinkshell Azalea

Phonetic Spelling

rho-doh-DEN-dron vah-SAY-ee

This plant has high severity poison characteristics.

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

Wildlife: Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli. Tolerates damage by rabbits.

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:

'Pinkerbell'
'White Find'

Tags:

#bees #butterflies #evergreen #deciduous #fall color #pollinators #wildlife plant #nectar plant #rabbit resistant #wet sites #specialized bees

Rhododendron vaseyi — Flowers Col Ford and Natasha de Vere CC BY 2.0

Cultivars:

'Pinkerbell'
'White Find'

Tags:

#bees #butterflies #evergreen #deciduous #fall color #pollinators #wildlife plant #nectar plant #rabbit resistant #wet sites #specialized bees

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.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Native Plant

Poisonous

Shrub

Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Deciduous

Semi-evergreen

Habit/Form:

Erect

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 Drainage:

Good Drainage

Occasionally Wet

Available Space To Plant:

6-feet-12 feet

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Fruit:
Fruit Type:

Capsule

Fruit Description:

Elongated capsule

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.

Leaves:
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

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Houseplants

Naturalized Area

Woodland

Attracts:

Bees

Butterflies

Pollinators

Specialized Bees

Resistance To Challenges:

Rabbits

Wet Soil

Problems:

Poisonous

Poison:
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