Follow Us:

 

Rhododendron ferrugineum - L.

Common Name Alpenrose
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The leaves and the galls are poisonous[61]. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities[183].
Habitats Mountain slopes in open woods or scrub, often dominant in the dwarf shrub zone[50].
Range Europe.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rhododendron ferrugineum Alpenrose


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Thisisbossi
Rhododendron ferrugineum Alpenrose
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Albert_kok

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rhododendron ferrugineum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Homeopathy

The flowers, leaves and the galls are antirheumatic, diaphoretic and diuretic[7, 9, 61]. It is used in the treatment of certain forms of arthritis and rheumatism, but can cause diarrhoea and vomiting so should only be used with expert supervision[9]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[7]. It is used in treating a variety of complaints involving flatulence[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Herbicide

Plants can be grown as ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208]. Some substances in this plant have shown herbicidal activity, though more research needs to be carried out[7].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[1]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[200]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[1]. This species grows better in the midlands and north Britain, disliking the hotter conditions in the south[11]. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[200], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[1]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[200]. Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[200]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Albania, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rhododendron anthopogon Shrub0.6 6-9  LMSNM121
Rhododendron arboreum Shrub12.0 6-9  LMSNM123
Rhododendron aureumRosebayShrub0.5 -  LMSNM02 
Rhododendron campanulatum Shrub4.5 4-8  LMSNM012
Rhododendron griersonianum Shrub3.0 7-10  LMHSNM003
Rhododendron indicumRhododendronShrub2.0 5-9  LMSM103
Rhododendron japonicumJapanese azaleaShrub2.0 4-8  LMSNM11 
Rhododendron kaempferi Shrub2.5 4-8  LMSM103
Rhododendron lapponicumLapland RosebayShrub1.0 -  LMSNM10 
Rhododendron lutescens Shrub3.0 6-9  LMSNM002
Rhododendron luteumHoneysuckle AzaleaShrub2.5 4-8  LMSM002
Rhododendron maximumRosebay Rhododendron, Great laurelShrub3.5 3-7  LMSM012
Rhododendron molleChinese AzaleaShrub2.5 6-9  LMSM011
Rhododendron mucronulatum Shrub2.5 4-8  LMSNM10 
Rhododendron periclymenoidesPink azalea, Pinxter flowerShrub2.0 4-8 MLMHFSNDM102
Rhododendron 'PJM' Shrub3.0 -  LMSNM00 
Rhododendron ponticumRhododendronShrub5.0 6-9  LMSM012
Rhododendron x praecox Shrub1.5 5-9  LMSNM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Support Plants For A Future

Plants For A Future relies on regular donations to keep our free database and search facilities going, to pay for ongoing research, improvements and enhancements, and to develop and publish new books. Read more

Choose Currency

Donate in £ GBP Donate in $ USD Donate in € EUR

Securely pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card without an account.

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

Subject : Rhododendron ferrugineum  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.