Rhododendron viscosum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron vis-KOH-sum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Woody, evergreen or deciduous shrubs that forms a thicket with age; loose open habit. Toleartes wet planting sites.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Fall, crimson Bloom: Spring/Summer, May-July
Wildlife: 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 scorch 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. Early flowering makes it susceptible to spring freezes.
Compare this Plant to: R. arborescens, R. atlanticum, R. vaseyi
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lemon Drop'
- 'Pink Mist'
- 'Pink Rocket'
- 'Viscosum'
- 'Lemon Drop'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lemon Drop'
- 'Pink Mist'
- 'Pink Rocket'
- 'Viscosum'
- 'Lemon Drop'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- viscosum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli. Tolerates damage by rabbits.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Spreading
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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:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule. Displays from July to October.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Description:
- Very fragrant, sticky white flowers bloom from May to July in a terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, lustrous green leaves; smooth- or toothed-margined
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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
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- 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
