Catawba Rhododendron

Rhododendrons aren’t just small bushes, a few feet tall. Some are large shrubs, like the Catawba Rhododendron. Growing almost a foot a year, within 10 years it will be a generous 6 feet tall and wide, and just keep on growing at that pace. So 10 to 15 feet is reasonable as a mature height and width – perfect for background in a large shrub bed, or among trees in a woodland. It’s impressive not just in size, or for the very large, glossy leaves, but for the wonderful, large trusses of lavender-pink blooms that decorate it in spring. It makes a great sight while still young, and an amazing one when older. Plus, since this is a selection of one of our native rhododendrons, it is well adapted to both cold and hot conditions, making it a great choice across most zones. It’s hard to beat this one when you want beauty on a larger scale.

• Smothered in large trusses of lavender-pink blooms in spring
• Vigorous and fast growing, maturing around 12 feet tall and wide
• Glossy leaves are large and leathery
• Excellent tolerance of both cold and heat
• Should be grown in acidic soils

Grow your Catawba Rhododendron in a spot with morning sun, or in light, scattered shade, such as beneath deciduous trees or building shade. The soil should be acidic, with a pH value below 6.0, and it should be rich, well-drained, and not dry. This plant doesn’t have much drought tolerance and grows best in moist conditions. Use plenty of lime-free compost or rotted leaves to enrich the soil, and as water-conserving mulch over the root zone. Hardy in most of zone 5 it is also a good choice in the southeast, with excellent tolerance of hot, humid summers. Deer don’t eat it and it is generally free of diseases or pests. Don’t prune, but when young it is good to remove the spent flower heads once blossoms fall. Snap them off just above the last leaves on the stem. Poisonous to horses and livestock.