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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Rhododendron periclymenoides is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Birds, Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Azalea periclymenoides Michx. Unresolved. R. periclymenoides f. album (Aiton) C.F. Reed

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

An irregular growth on the twigs is eaten as a thirst quencher. It can be sliced and mixed with tossed salads. It is also pickled in spiced vinegar [1-4]. Rhododendron periclymenoides is highly toxic and all parts of the plant are poisonous and could be fatal if ingested. Honey which is made by bees who collect pollen from genus Rhododendron spp. is referred to as “mad honey”. Humans who ingest this honey begin exhibiting symptoms including salivation abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, paralysis and coma. as well as hypotension and other irregularities of cardiac rhythm.

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Rhododendron periclymenoides has been used in horticulture as an ornamental plant. Common landscape uses for the plant are as a foundation plant and as shrub borders. Other locations are shrub borders, mixed borders, woodland gardens and shade gardens. Also effective in foundation plantings or as a hedge.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A Perennial shrub. Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Full Shade. Water Preferences: Mesic/moist. It is relatively tolerant of dry sites. Soils in which R. periclymenoides grows best are typically acidic, rich in hummus and retain moisture but should still have some drainage. Soil pH Preferences: Very strongly acid (4.5 – 5.0) to Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5). Fruiting Time: Late summer or early fall. Fruit: Edible to birds. Flowers: Showy. Fragrant. Flower Color: Pink, White. Flower Time: Spring. Suitable Locations: Bog gardening. Uses: Windbreak or Hedge. Cut Flower. Will Naturalize. Wildlife Attractant: Bees, Birds, Butterflies. Many animals and birds utilize shrubs like R. periclymenoides for cover on the forest floor. The roots also provide erosion control and protection for watersheds. Since lack of proper drainage can lead to root rot, North Carolina State University advises the use of raised beds if the plant is going to be grown in soil that contains a lot of clay. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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

Pink azalea, pinxter flower

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio (south), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky (east), Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Listed.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Rhododendron anthopogon		Shrub	0.6	6-9	LM	SN	M	1	2	1
Rhododendron arboreum		Shrub	12.0	6-9	LM	SN	M	1	2	3
Rhododendron aureum	Rosebay	Shrub	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	0	2
Rhododendron campanulatum		Shrub	4.5	4-8	LM	SN	M	0	1	2
Rhododendron ferrugineum	Alpenrose	Shrub	1.5	4-8	LM	SN	M	0	1	3
Rhododendron griersonianum		Shrub	3.0	7-10	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Rhododendron indicum	Rhododendron	Shrub	2.0	5-9	LM	S	M	1	0	3
Rhododendron japonicum	Japanese azalea	Shrub	2.0	4-8	LM	SN	M	1	1
Rhododendron kaempferi		Shrub	2.5	4-8	LM	S	M	1	0	3
Rhododendron lapponicum	Lapland Rosebay	Shrub	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	1	0
Rhododendron lutescens		Shrub	3.0	6-9	LM	SN	M	0	0	2
Rhododendron luteum	Honeysuckle Azalea	Shrub	2.5	4-8	LM	S	M	0	0	2
Rhododendron maximum	Rosebay Rhododendron, Great laurel	Shrub	3.5	3-7	LM	S	M	0	1	2
Rhododendron molle	Chinese Azalea	Shrub	2.5	6-9	LM	S	M	0	1	1
Rhododendron mucronulatum		Shrub	2.5	4-8	LM	SN	M	1	0
Rhododendron 'PJM'		Shrub	3.0	-	LM	SN	M	0	0
Rhododendron ponticum	Rhododendron	Shrub	5.0	6-9	LM	S	M	0	1	2
Rhododendron x praecox		Shrub	1.5	5-9	LM	SN	M	0	0	3

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.

Rhododendron periclymenoides - (Michx.) Shinners