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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 4 to 8 ft
Width: 4 to 8 ft
Flower color: Pink to lilac/purple tones (sometimes white)
Foliage color: Deciduous medium green leaves, turning yellow to red in fall
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate; prune lightly after flowering only if needed
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 7
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators, including hummingbirds

Shrubs

Rhododendron mucronulatum

Korean Rhododendron

Rhododendron mucronulatum is a deciduous rhododendron valued for its late winter to early spring bloom, often flowering on bare branches before the leaves unfold. Clusters of open, funnel-shaped blossoms appear in pink to purple tones, and some plants may also produce paler flowers that read nearly white. Fresh green foliage follows soon after flowering, keeping the shrub airy and seasonal rather than evergreen.

Native to Korea and parts of China, Russia, and Japan, this species was described in the 1800's and is widely grown for its dependable early display.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Hummingbird Gardens
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Peonies · Alpine mint bush · Wallflower · Pampas grass · Stonecrop · Manzanita

Design tip

Feature Rhododendron mucronulatum where its bare branches are visible from the house, allowing the unusually early flowers to signal spring before surrounding plants awaken. Later, its airy deciduous habit blends easily into layered plantings without forming a heavy evergreen mass.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)