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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 1 to 2 ft
Width: 1 to 2 ft
Flower color: Reddish-purple to lavender or rose-purple (occasionally light pink)
Foliage color: Mid to bright green leaves, deciduous to semi-deciduous
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after bloom
Growing zone: USDA zones 1 to 6
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators

Shrubs

Rhododendron camtschaticum

Kamchatka Rhododendron

Rhododendron camtschaticum, commonly called Kamchatka rhododendron, is a low, ground-hugging shrub with hairy shoots and small, mid-green leaves. In late spring into early summer, it produces single flowers or pairs held just above the foliage. The blossoms are saucer-shaped and usually rosy-lavender to pink, sometimes deeper red, and occasionally white, with spotting on the upper lobes and an open form that shows off the stamens.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Rock Gardens
Containers
Borders

Companion plants

Camas · Wire-netting bush · Goldenrod · Blue fescue · Dianthus · Mexican orange blossom

Design tip

Place Kamchatka Rhododendron between rocks or along the front of a planting, where its low profile will remain clearly visible. Repeating several plants in small groups can carry its rosy-lavender flowers across the garden without overwhelming neighboring plants or compact spaces.