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Rhododendron maximum | Rosebay Rhododendron

Plant Information

Plant Overview

Rhododendron maximum

Photography by J. Syrio, Nicholas Turland, David Stang

Description*
A beautiful native broadleaf evergreen shrub, Rosebay is found in moist, shady acidic sites in the Appalachian Mountains from Southern Maine west to Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky south to Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. Rosebay is tolerant of dense shade, and is often found in Eastern Hemlock forests, though flowering and fullness will improve with a bit of increased light.Rosebay is capable of growing to heights of 25-30 feet in the Southern Appalachians, though 10-15 feet is a more realistic max in most landscapes. The shrub has large leaves, 4-8 inches long, as well as large, ornamental trusses of white to light-Pink flowers in late June to early July.
*Description by Greentec Nursery

General

Type
Broadleaf Evergreen, Shrub
Season
Evergreen
Height
5-15 ft.
Width
6-12 ft.

Flower / Leaf

Flower Color
White
Flower Season
Spring, Summer
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Character
Simple, Glossy

Sun / Water / Soil

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Medium, Extra in Summer
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam
Growth Rate
Slow
Description*
A beautiful native broadleaf evergreen shrub, Rosebay is found in moist, shady acidic sites in the Appalachian Mountains from Southern Maine west to Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky south to Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. Rosebay is tolerant of dense shade, and is often found in Eastern Hemlock forests, though flowering and fullness will improve with a bit of increased light.Rosebay is capable of growing to heights of 25-30 feet in the Southern Appalachians, though 10-15 feet is a more realistic max in most landscapes. The shrub has large leaves, 4-8 inches long, as well as large, ornamental trusses of white to light-Pink flowers in late June to early July.
*Description by Greentec Nursery