Rhododendron vaseyi
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron vah-SAY-ee
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Pinkshell Azalea is a woody, evergreen or deciduous shrubs that is native only to the mountains of NC in acidic moist and wet substrates near bogs and streams. It can grow up to 15 feet tall with a rounded irregular habit. It is an early blooming azalea and the pink flowers appear before the leaves 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.
Plant in full sun to partial shade for best blooming in humus-rich moist well-drained soil. Use in a woodland or native garden as a specimen or in groups. Can also be used in foundation plantings.
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:
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- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'White Find'
- 'Pinkerbell'
- 'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
- Tags:
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-
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. - 15 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
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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 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:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a
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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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
-
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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
