Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron 'Dr. H.C. Dresselhuys'
Dr. H.C. Dresselhuys Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 ft
- Width
- 6 to 8 ft
- Flower color
- Purple-red to bright pink-red
- Foliage color
- Evergreen, lanceolate dark green leaves, usually matte to slightly glossy
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer, typically late May into June
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Medium; deadhead spent trusses after flowering and prune lightly only to remove dead wood
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 10
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract early-season pollinators; foliage provides shelter for small birds and garden wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron 'Dr. H.C. Dresselhuys' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with an upright, broad habit and dark green leaves. In late spring it carries dome-shaped trusses of funnel-shaped flowers in rich purple-red to dark pink tones. The clusters create a bold display above the foliage and are visited by bees and other pollinators during the main rhododendron season.
This cultivar, originally from the Netherlands, has been widely used in breeding programs for cold-climate rhododendrons and remains a dependable garden shrub. Its strong color, substantial foliage, and late-spring flowering make it well suited to woodland borders, group plantings, and prominent foundation sites.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Cottage Gardens · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Aucuba · Hellebore · Brunnera · Japanese maple · Lungwort · Autumn fern
Design tip
Make ‘Dr. H.C. Dresselhuys’ a strong anchor in a larger shrub grouping, where its upright form can rise above lower plantings. Keep competing flower colors at some distance so its rich purple-red blooms remain the clear focus during their late-spring display.
