Rhododendron hodgsonii (Hodgson's Rhododendron)


Botanical Information

FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
Specieshodgsonii
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginChina.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6b - 7a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-15°
Temperature (°F)-5°
Height3 - 7 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay, June

Description and Growing Information

ShapeUpright rounded.
LandscapeAs a showy large shrub in a woodland garden as a specimen.
PropagationBy seed.
CultivationGrow under partial shade in moist but well-drained acidic soil.
PestsCaterpillars, aphids, vine weevil, leafhoppers, lacebugs and scales. May be susceptible to rhododendron petal blight, rhododendron bud blast, powdery mildews and silver leaf.
Notable SpecimensVanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
HabitatElevations upwards of 4000 m.
Bark/Stem DescriptionExtremely thin, paper-like exfoliating outer bark. Thicker smooth bark underneath.
Leaf DescriptionOblong-elliptic to lanceolate leaves 16 - 30 cm long and 5 - 12 cm wide.
Flower DescriptionInflorescences of 20 - 50 small flowers 2 - 4 cm long.
Colour DescriptionMagenta to purple inflorescences. Deep green-black foliage. Brownish-brass-coloured bark.
Texture DescriptionMedium to smooth.

Photographs