• Photo of Rhododendron x bakeri (Rhododendron x bakeris)

Plant Profile: Rhododendron x bakeri

Taxonomy: Rhododendron x bakeri

Names

Cumberland Azalea

  • Photo of Rhododendron x bakeri (Rhododendron x bakeris)

Phonetic Spelling:rho-doh-DEN-dron BY BAH-ker-ee

Genus:Rhododendron

Species:bakeri

Family:Ericaceae

Cumberland Azalea is a small, native shrub that can be either evergreen or deciduous, showcasing striking dark pink flowers. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and requires some shade from the intense summer heat. It is primarily located in certain areas of the eastern United States and has the ability to spread through stolons.

In terms of pests and diseases, Rhododendrons are vulnerable to a variety of issues. Common insect threats include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whiteflies. They can also suffer from diseases such as canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Exposure to full sunlight can lead to leaf scorch, while poor drainage can cause root rot. However, with proper care and placement, a healthy plant should encounter minimal issues. It is worth noting that deer often cause damage to this species.

WARNING: THIS PLANT IS HIGHLY TOXIC AND CAN BE FATAL IF INGESTED!

For further details on Rhododendron, please refer to additional resources.

Rhododendron x bakeri Feature Summary

Rhododendron x bakeri Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#deciduous
#poisonous
#native shrub
#native bees
#specialized bees
#compact habit
#deep pink flowers
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#bee friendly
#problem for horses

Similar Plants

Rhododendron x bakeri Feature Summary

Attributes
Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Fruit
Elongated capsule
Flowers
Deep reddish-pink tubular flowers in a ball truss in summer; not fragrant
Pink
Red/Burgundy
Poisonous to Humans
Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
Seeds
Leaves
Stems
Flowers
Bark
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Native Plant
Poisonous
Deciduous
Broadleaf Evergreen
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Occasionally Wet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
High Organic Matter
Leaves
Landscape
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Bees
Specialized Bees
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Rhododendron x bakeri Attributes

Rhododendron x bakeri: Country Or Region Of Origin

Eastern US

Rhododendron x bakeri: Wildlife Value

Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.

Rhododendron x bakeri: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Rhododendron x bakeri Fruit

Rhododendron x bakeri: Fruit Description

Elongated capsule

Rhododendron x bakeri: Fruit Type

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

Rhododendron x bakeri Flowers

Rhododendron x bakeri: Flower Description

Deep reddish-pink tubular flowers in a ball truss in summer; not fragrant

Rhododendron x bakeri: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
Red/Burgundy

Rhododendron x bakeri: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Rhododendron x bakeri: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Rhododendron x bakeri Poisonous to Humans

Rhododendron x bakeri: Poison Symptoms

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

Rhododendron x bakeri: Poison Toxic Principle

Andromedotoxin

Rhododendron x bakeri: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Rhododendron x bakeri: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Rhododendron x bakeri: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Rhododendron x bakeri Whole Plant Traits

Rhododendron x bakeri: 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 x bakeri: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Rhododendron x bakeri: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Rhododendron x bakeri Cultural Conditions

Rhododendron x bakeri: 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 x bakeri: Soil Drainage

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

Rhododendron x bakeri: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Rhododendron x bakeri: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Rhododendron x bakeri: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

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

Rhododendron x bakeri: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Rhododendron x bakeri Leaves

Rhododendron x bakeri: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Rhododendron x bakeri: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Rhododendron x bakeri: Leaf Type

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

Rhododendron x bakeri: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Rhododendron x bakeri: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Rhododendron x bakeri: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Rhododendron x bakeri Stem

Rhododendron x bakeri: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Rhododendron x bakeri Landscape

Rhododendron x bakeri: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Rhododendron x bakeri: Attracts

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

Rhododendron x bakeri: 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