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Rhododendron catawbiense

Image of Rhododendron catawbiense

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Ericaceae

Botanical Name

Rhododendron catawbiense

Plant Common Name

Catawba Rhododendron, Catawba Rosebay, Pink Catawba Rhododendron

General Description

This beautiful rhododendron is well-adapted to American gardens offering a large evergreen shrub with spectacular blooms. It is an eastern native, found in mountain ranges of Virginia, the Carolinas and Tennessee where it grows on rocky slopes and surprisingly poor soils. This large plant produces branching trunks bearing thick, glossy oblong dark green leaves that extend to ground level to make a lovely specimen. This plant brought such improved heat and cold hardiness to early rhododendron breeding that its offspring became known as iron-clads.

The Catawba rosebay rhododendron blooms in spring with broad bell shaped flowers bearing spotted funnels in shades of rose, magenta and purple depending on the plant and its location. They produce surface roots to feed off the acidic woodland soils beneath the layer of decomposing duff. Do not cultivate beneath them nor plant perennials there. Where soils are not sufficiently acid or if the local water supply is on the alkaline side, this may prove a difficult choice for the garden. It is the perfect problem solver for homes beneath old shade trees, and it is adapted to woodland homesites.

There are andromedotoxins in all parts of the rhododendron plant with associated health concerns. For more information visit: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Rhodosp.htm .

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m

  • Width

    9'-12' / 2.7m - 3.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Purple, Magenta

  • Fruit Color

    Green, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No