Rhododendron 'Bow Bells' (Bow Bells Rhododendron)

Botanical Information

FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
Cultivar'Bow Bells'
SynonymsRhododendron decorum 'Bow Bells'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone7 - 8a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-23 -(-7)
Temperature (°F)-10 - 20
Height1.5 - 2.5 m
Spread1.5 - 2.5 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May

Description and Growing Information

ShapeA compact evergreen shrub, typically up to 2.5 m tall, with purplish-bronze young growth.
LandscapeAn excellent addition to winter landscapes, woodland margins, foundation plantings, shade gardens, mixed borders, mass planting, and shrub borders.
PropagationBy semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, layering in autumn or grafting in late summer or late winter.
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich acid soil in part shade with shelter.
PestsSusceptible to many pests such as aphids, caterpillars, nematodes, scale, lace bugs, mealy bugs, borers, and white fly. Diseases include crown rot, leaf gall, rust, powdery mildew, blights, root rot, and leaf spot. Resistant to deer and rabbits.
Notable SpecimensTrengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionFlower buds are large, glabrous green and underlined by white, pink, and light red. Cold winters may cause freezing and damage the buds, potentially reducing flower production.
Leaf DescriptionSmall, oval mid-green leaves.
Flower DescriptionLoose clusters of bright pink, bell-shaped flowers, paler within and about 7 cm in width.

Photographs