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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 1 to 2 ft
Width: 2 to 3 ft
Flower color: Pale yellow to creamy-yellow blossoms
Foliage color: Evergreen medium to dark green leaves
Bloom time: Early to mid spring
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; requires minimal pruning beyond removing spent blooms and shaping
Growing zone: USDA zones 6a to 9b
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds

Shrubs

Rhododendron keiskei 'Yaku Fairy'

Yaku Fairy Rhododendron

Rhododendron keiskei 'Yaku Fairy' is a dwarf evergreen rhododendron that forms a tight, almost prostrate mound with small, light green leaves. In early spring, clusters of funnel-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers open along the stems. Trusses are small but plentiful, so the plant looks sprinkled with soft yellow blooms that draw early-season pollinators. Foliage stays neat and evergreen through winter.

'Yaku Fairy' originated as a selection from Yakushima, noted from Kuromi Peak, and was introduced to cultivation in the early 1970's.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Rock Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Feather reed grass · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush

Design tip

Grow ‘Yaku Fairy’ where its ground-hugging form can spread across the edge of a rock garden or low planting. Nearby stones or taller upright plants provide useful contrast, emphasizing its flattened silhouette and keeping the small-scale shrub from becoming visually lost.