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Rhododendron ponticum - L.

Common Name Rhododendron
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many members have poisonous leaves. 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 Rich forests under Fagus, Picea and Abies species, it is also found above the tree line[11]. Sandy and peaty soils in woods and open places in Britain[17].
Range W. Europe to the Caucasus and Lebanon. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron


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Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rhododendron ponticum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. 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). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. lancifolium. R. speciosum.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

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  Cardiac

A medicine made from the plant is used to treat heart and circulation malfunctions, but it should not be used without expert supervision[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge

Plants are being grown as a hedge at the RHS gardens in Wisley, Surrey[29]. It tolerates quite hard clipping[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

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]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[184, 200]. Hardy to about -15°c[184]. Plants are self-sowing aggressively in British woodlands and are often out-competing native trees by filling the understorey and preventing natural regeneration. They are considered to be a pernicious weed by many environmentalists. 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:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Lebanon, Turkey, Georgia, Russian Federation (Krasnodar) EUROPE: Bulgaria (southeast), Spain, Portugal

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 :

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 ferrugineumAlpenroseShrub1.5 4-8  LMSNM013
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 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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

tomas   Tue Jan 23 2007

Extremely invasive in the temperate maritime climate of Britan. Avoid planting it in this climate zone,consider different rhododendronor azalea instead.

Mrs Christine Harrison   Mon Feb 25 2008

Subject: Rhododendron ponticum - will these cause a spread of Phytpthora ramon (Sudden Oak Death) an early reply would be appreciated

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