GardenWizzPlant Care Card

King Rhododendron

Rhododendron rex · Tree

Hardiness
Position
Partial shade
Height × Spread
5–12 m × —
Soil
moist but well-drained, acid soil enriched with leaf mould
Flowering
March–May
Toxicity
Harmful if eaten

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower
✂️ Prune

Watch out for

Powdery mildew: Tolerate unless severe; improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce humidity.

Bud blast: Remove and destroy infected buds promptly if practical; encourage natural enemies of leafhoppers.

Vine weevil: Use nematode treatments in the soil during warm weather or apply biological controls like Steinernema carpocapsae.

Rhododendron leafhopper: Monitor for activity; encourage natural predators and remove heavily infested foliage if necessary.

Pieris lacebug: Encourage predatory insects like ladybirds; severe cases may require targeted insecticidal soap application.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/rhododendron-rex © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia