Woody > Rhododendron > Rhododendron ponticum > Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum
Common Rhododendron, Pontic Rhododendron
Origin: Native to Southern Europe, Turkey, and the Caucasus region. Introduced into the British Isles in the second half of the eighteenth century.
Mike's
Opinion
"
An outstanding plant but, has now invaded most of the woodlands of England with environmentalists mounting aggressive campaigns for its removal.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Ericaceae |
| Genus |
| Rhododendron |
| Species |
| ponticum |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4-8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2b-7b |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 |
| Height |
| 10 m |
| Spread |
| up to 100 m² |
Photographs
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Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An invasive species in the United Kingdom. A spreading shrub with very dense foliage, growing up to 5 m in height. |
| Landscape |
| Informal hedge. Will provide a beautiful display of pink flowers which are very appealing. It is not recommended for use unless it is kept in check by trapping it between a house wall and a concrete pathway. |
| Cultivation |
| Enjoys conditions with lots of rainfall and well drained, acidic soil. Likes full sun to thin, partial shade. Prone to salt damage and winter dessication. |
| Shape |
| Low growing dome. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Suckers often, forming an impenetrable wall of foliage. Thick glabrous leaves, large clusters of pink-purple flowers. Forms a 'canopy' of foliage at the top of the plant. |
| Pests |
| Suffers from vine weevils, white fly, scale insects, caterpillars, aphids and honey fungus. |
| Habitat |
| Mild, wet, richly acidic soil regions, lightly wooded and open meadow areas at lower elevations. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Dark brown-grey, mild fissures can be found on older growth. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Buds secrete a sticky residue. |
| Leaf Description |
| Thick, glabrous, simple leaves in a lanceolate/elliptical shape, leathery texture, 6-18 cm long and 2-5 cm wide, growing in a whorled pattern. Dark green above, light green underneath. |
| Flower Description |
| Purple, sometimes pinkish, with green, yellow or orange markings, 3.5-5 cm wide and just as deep, 10 stamens with long filaments. Flowers are hermaphrodite and grow in corymb shaped clusters at the shoot meristems. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit is a dry capsule 1.5-2.5 cm in length, filled with many seeds. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark green glabrous foliage, purple or purple-pink flowers with green, yellow or orange spots. The bark is a brownish-grey. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium-coarse. |
| Notable Specimens |
| In the United Kingdom there are single plants that spread to cover more than 100 m², and reach a height of over 10 m. |
| Propagation |
| Seeds germinate easily without any special treatment to break dormancy, tissue culture, and cuttings taken preferably in late July-August for specific cultivars. Cuttings should be treated with alcohol for 5 seconds, placed in a well drained media and misted. |
References
Many cultivars can be easily found in its hardiness zone; however I believe that it will be hard to locate anyone selling Rhododendron ponticum, because it is such an invasive species.
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