Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron yunnanense
Yunnan Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 6 to 8 ft
- Width
- 3 to 5 ft
- Flower color
- White to blush pink with red spotting in the throat
- Foliage color
- Evergreen rich green narrow leaves
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; minimal pruning needed beyond light shaping after flowering
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter and cover for birds and small wildlife
About this plant
Rhododendron yunnanense is an evergreen rhododendron with neat, elliptic leaves and a twiggy, upright habit. In late spring, usually May into June, it produces small trusses of open, funnel-shaped flowers that range from white to soft pink or lavender, often marked with red spotting or a darker blotch in the throat.
It is native to mountainous regions of southwestern China and nearby areas, including Yunnan, Sichuan, and parts of Myanmar. The species was introduced to cultivation in the late 1800's. It is grown for its refined foliage, floriferous spring display, and ability to fit naturally into woodland borders and mixed shrub plantings.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Pathways & Walkways · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Pieris · Japanese forest grass · Brunnera · Viburnum · Trillium · Lungwort
Design tip
Balance the narrow, upright growth of Rhododendron yunnanense with lower, broader shrubs nearby, creating a gradual change in shape across the planting. Its relatively slender footprint also makes it useful where vertical presence is needed without occupying excessive garden space.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
