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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 1 to 3 ft
Width: 2 to 3 ft
Flower color: Rose-pink buds, opening to frilled lighter pink blossoms
Foliage color: Small dark green, evergreen leaves
Bloom time: Mid to late spring (April-May)
Light: Part sun to shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after bloom
Growing zone: USDA zones 7b to 9b
Wildlife: Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage offers low-level shelter for small wildlife

Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Wee Bee'

Wee Bee Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Wee Bee' is a dwarf evergreen shrub with a low, mounded habit and small, green leaves that can show a hint of bronze in cooler weather. In early to mid spring, dark pink buds open to rose-pink tubular-shaped flowers with frilled lobes. Blooms often show lighter blush-pink on the inside, that give a bright wash of color over the compact foliage.

'Wee Bee' has earned recognition including the RHS Award of Garden Merit and American Rhododendron Society awards.

Light

Part sun to shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring (April-May)

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Borders
Containers
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

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

Design tip

Repeat ‘Wee Bee’ along the front of a planting to create a low, gently flowing edge rather than a rigid line. Its compact mounds can also bridge small gaps between larger shrubs and nearby rocks, keeping the lower planting layer connected.