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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Soft pink to medium pink flowers with subtle spotting in the throat
Foliage color: Dark green leathery leaves with a dense cinnamon brown indumentum on the undersides
Bloom time: Mid spring; often April to May
Light: Partial shade
Water: Average evenly moist soil
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flower trusses after blooming and prune lightly if needed to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA zones 7 to 9
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects

Shrubs

Rhododendron bureavii 'Hansel'

Hansel Rhododendron

Rhododendron bureavii 'Hansel' produces rounded trusses of soft to medium pink flowers in mid spring, each bloom showing deeper pink along the petal edges and fine spotting in the upper lobes. The blossoms are held above bold evergreen foliage that defines the plant. Large, elongated leaves display deep green upper surfaces and thick, felted undersides in warm cinnamon-brown, creating rich texture and contrast throughout the year.

Light

Partial shade

Water

Average evenly moist soil

Bloom time

Mid spring; often April to May

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Cottage Gardens
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Brunnera · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Lungwort · Trillium · Foamflower

Design tip

Allow ‘Hansel’ enough breathing room for its broad foliage to become a strong garden feature rather than crowding it among smaller shrubs. Its textured leaves are especially effective beside finer-leaved plants, creating contrast that keeps a shaded planting interesting year-round.