Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron Dandy Man Color Wheel
Dandy Man Color Wheel Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 4 to 8 ft
- Width
- 4 to 8 ft
- Flower color
- Deep pink buds opening to large ruffled soft pink blooms, aging to pale pink
- Foliage color
- Bright to medium green evergreen leaves
- Bloom time
- Spring to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; deadhead spent flowers and prune lightly
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen structure offers shelter and cover for small birds and other garden wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron Dandy Man Color Wheel is an evergreen shrub with a rounded habit and leathery green foliage. In late spring, deep red buds open into ruffled pink flowers with deeper pink undersides. As the blossoms age, petals turn soft blush and then white, so red buds, pink blooms, and white flowers can appear together, creating a long display of changing color.
Bred at North Carolina State University and introduced by Proven Winners as Rhododendron x 'NCRX1', Dandy Man Color Wheel pairs abundant bloom with durable performance. It offers heat and disease resistance, keeps its foliage in winter, and suits use as a specimen, flowering hedge, or part of mixed borders where evolving color is welcome.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Containers · Borders · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Holly · Pulmonaria · Oxalis · Japanese aralia · Celandine · Coral bells
Design tip
Feature Dandy Man Color Wheel where its flowers can be viewed throughout their gradual transformation from deep pink to white. Against a simple evergreen setting, the changing bloom colors become the main attraction without competing with other strongly colored spring plants.
