Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron campylocarpum ssp. caloxanthum
Discolor Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3.5 ft
- Width
- 2 to 3.5 ft
- Flower color
- Pale primrose to sulfur-yellow, bell-shaped flowers; deep orange buds
- Foliage color
- Evergreen, dark glossy round green foliage
- Bloom time
- Early to mid spring
- Light
- Part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; prune lightly after bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 8
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; dense evergreen structure can provide cover for small birds
About this plant
Rhododendron campylocarpum subsp. caloxanthum is an evergreen rhododendron with rounded, glossy green leaves, forming a compact, free-flowering shrub. In spring, deep orange to orange-scarlet buds open into clusters of bell-shaped flowers in pale primrose to brighter yellow. Trusses are usually loose, carrying several blooms, and some flowers show a subtle reddish basal blotch that adds depth near the throat.
This subspecies is native to the eastern Himalaya region, extending through parts of Tibet and western Yunnan into northeastern Myanmar. It is sometimes listed under the synonym Rhododendron caloxanthum. Grown for its spring flower clusters and tidy evergreen structure, it suits woodland settings and sheltered garden plantings where the yellow bells can be enjoyed up close.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Borders · Cottage Gardens · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Daphne · Brunnera · Tiarella · Camellia · Bleeding heart · Hellebore
Design tip
Bring this compact rhododendron toward the front of a layered planting, where larger shrubs will not overwhelm its tidy form. Its unusual yellow flowers are especially effective near a path or entry, where their softer coloring can be appreciated at close range.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
