Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron yungningense
Yungning Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Purple to rose lavender funnel shaped flowers
- Foliage color
- Dark green small oblong to elliptic leaves with a rusty brown to fawn indumentum on the undersides
- Bloom time
- Mid spring; often April to May
- Light
- Partial shade to dappled sun
- Water
- Average evenly moist soil
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flower trusses after blooming and prune lightly to maintain a compact shape
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees and other pollinating insects
About this plant
Rhododendron yungningense produces small clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in early to mid spring, the blooms opening in shades of rose-purple to deep violet with occasional lavender tones. The blossoms appear near the branch tips and often partially conceal the foliage during peak bloom. Small, oblong leaves line the stems, displaying deep green upper surfaces and a covering of fine rust-colored scales beneath that add texture and subtle contrast.
This species is native to high elevations of southwestern China, including Yunnan and Sichuan, where it grows in mountainous habitats. In gardens it lends year-round presence to rock gardens, alpine plantings, and woodland borders where the compact foliage and spring flowers provide seasonal color and fine texture.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Borders · Containers · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Leucothoe · Solomon’s seal · Bergenia · Japanese plum yew · Hosta · Snowdrops
Design tip
Allow Rhododendron yungningense to mingle with other compact shrubs near the front of a layered planting, where its fine-textured foliage will remain visible. Its modest scale makes it especially useful for easing the transition between low groundcovers and larger shrubs behind it.
