Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron 'Wow'
Wow Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 ft
- Width
- 4 to 5 ft
- Flower color
- Creamy yellow with red spotted throat
- Foliage color
- Evergreen medium-green leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid spring (April-May)
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; deadhead spent flowers, and prune lightly after bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7b to 9b
- Wildlife
- Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage offers low-level shelter for small wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron 'Wow' is an evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded habit and medium green leaves. In spring, trusses of funnel-shaped flowers open yellow to creamy gold, each bloom showing red spotting in the throat that adds depth and contrast. As the flowers mature, the yellow tones soften slightly, creating gentle shifts in color across each cluster while maintaining the warm, glowing center.
This hybrid was bred by Dan Bones in Florence, Oregon, and is valued for dense trusses and reliable spring bloom. Its evergreen framework and warm flower tones make it well suited to paths, terraces, and mixed borders where close viewing is possible.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Borders · Cottage Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Camas · Mexican orange blossom · Bee balm · Maiden grass · Sea thrift · Flowering quince
Design tip
Bring ‘Wow’ close to a path or terrace where the red-speckled centers of its creamy yellow flowers can be appreciated at close range. Its broad, rounded form can visually widen narrow planting areas and balance taller, more upright shrubs nearby.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
