Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron 'America'
America Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 ft
- Width
- 4 to 6 ft
- Flower color
- Purplish-red with dark red spotting
- Foliage color
- Glossy, leathery dark green
- Bloom time
- Spring (typically May)
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Medium; benefits from a layer of mulch to conserve root moisture and moderate temperature
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds and small wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron 'America' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with a low, spreading habit and dense, matte green foliage. In mid-spring, rounded trusses of openly funnel-shaped flowers cover the plant. The blooms are purplish-red with a slight bluish cast and dark red spotting, giving a rich depth of color in spring. The showy trusses draw attention in the garden and are visited by hummingbirds and butterflies, adding movement and life to the spring display.
'America' was bred in Boskoop, Netherlands, around 1902. It has since become known as a hardy, reliable garden rhododendron valued in colder regions. Evergreen foliage and durable flower substance make it useful in informal hedges, foundation plantings, and woodland-style borders, where its dark red blooms and year-round structure contribute steady color and form.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Cottage Gardens · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Leucothoe · Yew · Viola · Astilbe · Hellebores · Ferns
Design tip
Make the most of ‘America’s’ rich red flowers by giving it a darker green backdrop, where the spring color will really stand out. Its broad, spreading shape also works nicely at the front of taller evergreen shrubs, creating a layered look rather than a wall of similarly sized plants.
