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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 3 to 4 ft
Width: 4 to 5 ft
Flower color: Creamy yellow with red spotted throat
Foliage color: Evergreen medium-green leaves
Bloom time: Mid spring (April-May)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate; deadhead spent flowers, and 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 'Wow'

Wow Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Wow' is an evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded habit and medium green leaves. In spring, trusses of funnel-shaped flowers open yellow to creamy gold, each bloom showing red spotting in the throat that adds depth and contrast. As the flowers mature, the yellow tones soften slightly, creating gentle shifts in color across each cluster while maintaining the warm, glowing center.

This hybrid was bred by Dan Bones in Florence, Oregon, and is valued for dense trusses and reliable spring bloom.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid spring (April-May)

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Cottage Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Camas · Mexican orange blossom · Bee balm · Maiden grass · Sea thrift · Flowering quince

Design tip

Bring ‘Wow’ close to a path or terrace where the red-speckled centers of its creamy yellow flowers can be appreciated at close range. Its broad, rounded form can visually widen narrow planting areas and balance taller, more upright shrubs nearby.