Rhododendron 'Windbeam'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron wahynd- beem
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family. Flower opens white tinged pale apricot, aging to white but after 3-4 days, flowers become light purplish-pink, slightly spotted red, funnel-shaped, wavy-edges, ¾" across. Ball-shaped truss holds 8 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Rhododendrons and azaleas are acid loving plants meaning that the soil needs to be slightly acidic to optimize growing conditions.
Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rhododendrons are susceptible many insect predators and diseases. Potential insect problems include aphids, borers, galls, lacebugs, scale, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips, whiteflies and mites and disease problems include powdery mildew, blights, root rots, and leaf spots. A well-maintained healthy plant in the proper environment should have limited problems, however.
Form: Low, semi-dwarf habit; can become sprawly; long willowy stems
Poison Part: All parts.
Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion.
Severity: HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
Found in: Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- White to deep pink or yellow flowers with pink tinge in a terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Small, alternate, simple leaves; aromatic when crushed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- 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
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
