• Photo of Rhododendron roseum (Rhododendron roseums)

Plant Profile: Rhododendron roseum

Taxonomy: Rhododendron roseum

Names

Early Azalea, Election Pink, Roseshell Azalea

  • Photo of Rhododendron roseum (Rhododendron roseums)

Phonetic Spelling:rho-do-DEN-dron RO-zee-um

Genus:Rhododendron

Species:roseum

Family:Ericaceae

Woody shrubs can be either evergreen or deciduous, featuring alternate, simple leaves that may have smooth or serrated edges. The flowers are arranged in terminal clusters, characterized by a tubular shape with five parts, and can range in color from white to deep pink or yellow. The fruit takes the form of an elongated capsule and the plant is known for its hardiness.

In terms of pests and diseases, this plant is vulnerable to a variety of insect threats and ailments. Common insect issues include aphids, borers, galls, lacebugs, scales, leafhoppers, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, and mites. Additionally, it may suffer from diseases such as powdery mildew, blights, root rot, and leaf spots. However, a well-cared-for plant in an appropriate environment typically experiences few problems. It is also worth noting that deer often cause damage to this species.

Previously, this plant was referred to as R. roseum.

The plant has a highly branched form with spreading branches.

All parts of the plant are toxic, and ingestion can lead to severe consequences, including potential fatality.

This species is commonly found as a houseplant or in interior landscapes, as well as in cultivated gardens and natural forest areas.

For additional details on Rhododendron, please refer to the provided resources.

Rhododendron roseum Feature Summary

Rhododendron roseum Image Gallery

Tags

#hummingbirds
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#houseplant
#wildlife plant
#nectar plant
#interiorscape
#specialized bees
#pollinator plant
#food source fall
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#coastal FAC
#Piedmont Mountains FAC
#butterfly friendly
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#bee friendly
#problem for horses
#audubon

Similar Plants

Rhododendron roseum Feature Summary

Attributes
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area
Nectar from the flowers attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Fruit
elongated capsule. Displays from August to October.
Flowers
terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted, white to deep pink or yellow. Blooms from May to June.
Pink
Gold/Yellow
4-5 petals/rays
Leaves
Alternate, simple, bright green leaves, smooth- or toothed-margined; fall color is green to bronze
Green
Gold/Yellow
Poisonous to Humans
Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin
Seeds
Leaves
Stems
Sap/Juice
Flowers
Bark
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Mountains
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Landscape
Butterflies
Pollinators
Specialized Bees
Hummingbirds
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Rhododendron roseum Attributes

Rhododendron roseum: Distribution

Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub; forest or natural area

Rhododendron roseum: Wildlife Value

Nectar from the flowers attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.

Rhododendron roseum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Rhododendron roseum Fruit

Rhododendron roseum: Fruit Description

elongated capsule. Displays from August to October.

Rhododendron roseum: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Rhododendron roseum: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Rhododendron roseum Flowers

Rhododendron roseum: Flower Description

terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted, white to deep pink or yellow. Blooms from May to June.

Rhododendron roseum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Pink

Rhododendron roseum: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Rhododendron roseum: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Rhododendron roseum Leaves

Rhododendron roseum: Leaf Description

Alternate, simple, bright green leaves, smooth- or toothed-margined; fall color is green to bronze

Rhododendron roseum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Rhododendron roseum: Leaf Color

spa
Gold/Yellow
spa
Green

Rhododendron roseum: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color

spa
Brown/Copper

Rhododendron roseum: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Rhododendron roseum: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Rhododendron roseum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Rhododendron roseum Poisonous to Humans

Rhododendron roseum: Poison Symptoms

Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.

Rhododendron roseum: Poison Toxic Principle

Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin

Rhododendron roseum: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Rhododendron roseum: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Rhododendron roseum: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Rhododendron roseum Whole Plant Traits

Rhododendron roseum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Rhododendron roseum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Rhododendron roseum: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Rhododendron roseum: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Rhododendron roseum Cultural Conditions

Rhododendron roseum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Rhododendron roseum: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Rhododendron roseum: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Rhododendron roseum: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Rhododendron roseum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Rhododendron roseum Stem

Rhododendron roseum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Rhododendron roseum Landscape

Rhododendron roseum: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Rhododendron roseum: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy