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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 4 to 5 ft
Width: 3 to 4 ft
Flower color: Deep pink, frilled funnel-shaped blooms opening from deep red buds
Foliage color: Medium to dark green evergreen leaves
Bloom time: Mid spring (generally May)
Light: Part shade to mostly shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate; deadhead spent flowers and prune lightly only when needed
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators

Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Looking Glass'

Looking Glass Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Looking Glass' is a compact evergreen shrub with a rounded habit and medium green foliage with a pale felted underside. In early May it produces large ball-shaped trusses above the leaves. Deep rose buds open to rosy-pink flowers with frilled margins, the color softening as they age and forming a dome of blossom that attracts bees and other pollinators.

Raised in Washington State from a cross of Rhododendron yakushimanum and 'China', 'Looking Glass' was introduced around 1988.

Light

Part shade to mostly shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid spring (generally May)

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Borders
Containers
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Skimmia · Japanese maple · Ajuga · Autumn fern · Snowdrops · Hellebore

Design tip

Arrange ‘Looking Glass’ where its rounded form can bridge the height difference between low perennials and taller shrubs. Its dense branching keeps that transition substantial year-round, while the spring flowers bring a concentrated burst of color to the middle planting layer.