Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron concinuum
Concinuum Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 ft
- Width
- 6 to 12 ft
- Flower color
- Purple to reddish-purple, widely funnel-shaped flowers often with subtle spotting
- Foliage color
- Evergreen dark green leathery leaves with a scaly texture on the surface
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; requires minimal pruning beyond removing spent blooms and shaping
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7a to 9b
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds
About this plant
Rhododendron concinnum is an evergreen shrub with narrow elliptic leaves, dark green above and gray-green beneath from a fine scaly coating. In mid to late spring it produces loose terminal clusters of widely funnel-shaped flowers in purple to purplish-red shades, often with darker spotting in the throat. Flowers may be lightly fragrant and sit above the foliage.
Native to high-elevation forests of China, it reached Western gardens through 19th and early 20th century plant collecting. With time it becomes well branched and may develop a small-tree outline, fitting woodland borders and mixed plantings where spring bloom and textured leaves are appreciated.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Woodland Gardens · Fragrant Gardens
Companion plants
Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Feather reed grass · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Allow Rhododendron concinnum to become a taller anchor within a layered shrub planting, where its branching form can develop without crowding. Lower-growing plants around its base will emphasize its increasingly tree-like outline and create a gradual transition to the surrounding garden.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
