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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 4 to 6 ft
Width: 4 to 6 ft
Flower color: Purplish-red with dark red spotting
Foliage color: Glossy, leathery dark green
Bloom time: Spring (typically May)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium; benefits from a layer of mulch to conserve root moisture and moderate temperature
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds and small wildlife

Shrubs

Rhododendron 'America'

America Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'America' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with a low, spreading habit and dense, matte green foliage. In mid-spring, rounded trusses of openly funnel-shaped flowers cover the plant. The blooms are purplish-red with a slight bluish cast and dark red spotting, giving a rich depth of color in spring. The showy trusses draw attention in the garden and are visited by hummingbirds and butterflies, adding movement and life to the spring display.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Medium

Bloom time

Spring (typically May)

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Cottage Gardens
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Leucothoe · Yew · Viola · Astilbe · Hellebores · Ferns

Design tip

Make the most of ‘America’s’ rich red flowers by giving it a darker green backdrop, where the spring color will really stand out. Its broad, spreading shape also works nicely at the front of taller evergreen shrubs, creating a layered look rather than a wall of similarly sized plants.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)