Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron 'Blaney's Blue'
Blaney's Blue Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 4 to 5 ft
- Width
- 4 to 5 ft
- Flower color
- Lavender-blue to misty blue
- Foliage color
- Evergreen leaves; glossy dark green
- Bloom time
- Mid-spring (typically April)
- Light
- Partial shade to filtered sun
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; remove spent flower trusses after bloom; avoid heavy root disturbance
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6b to 9b
- Wildlife
- Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage offers shelter and cover for birds and small wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron 'Blaney's Blue' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with dense foliage and soft-toned flowers. Medium green leaves form a rounded framework that takes on a bronze flush in winter. In mid-spring, rounded trusses of funnel-shaped blooms open in misty lavender-blue to bluish purple shades, covering the plant in color.
Hybridized by Dr. L. T. Blaney at Oregon State University, 'Blaney's Blue' was introduced after trials at the North Willamette Experiment Station. Its dependable midseason bloom and cool flower tones make it well suited to woodland borders, mixed shrub plantings, and foundation groupings where spring color and evergreen foliage are appreciated.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Borders · Native Gardens · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Pieris · Hakone grass · Bamboo · Viburnum · Snowdrop · Bergenia
Design tip
‘Blaney’s Blue’ is a lovely way to introduce cooler color into a shade garden dominated by pink, red, or white flowers. Its misty blue-lavender blooms can soften stronger colors nearby, while the rounded evergreen shape gives the planting structure after the spring display has finished.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Oregon State University Campus.
