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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 3 to 5 ft
Width: 3 to 5 ft
Flower color: Purplish-red to bright red
Foliage color: Glossy dark green evergreen leaves
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Light: Partial shade
Water: Moderate; remove spent flowers; prune lightly for shaping or to remove dead wood
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flower clusters after bloom; light pruning
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Spring blooms attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage provides cover and shelter for birds and small wildlife year-round

Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Dexter's Giant Red'

Dexter's Giant Red Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Dexter's Giant Red' is an evergreen shrub with an upright, broad, rounded habit and substantial, glossy olive-green leaves. In mid to late spring, buds open strong purplish red and mature to a blend of red and deep rose tones. Each bloom has a very dark red blotch deep in the throat, and red spotting that extends across the upper petals for a full, glowing truss.

Light

Partial shade

Water

Moderate; remove spent flowers; prune lightly for shaping or to remove dead wood

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Borders
Cottage Gardens
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Pieris · Japanese forest grass · Brunnera · Viburnum · Trillium · Lungwort

Design tip

Allow ‘Dexter’s Giant Red’ to command attention within a mixed shrub planting rather than surrounding it with other strongly colored bloomers. Its intense red flowers benefit from quieter neighboring foliage, which gives the spring display room to stand out without appearing overly busy.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)