Rhododendron periclymenoides
pinxter flower
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsFragrant (light)
Native to North America
Overview
Rhododendron periclymenoides is a deciduous azalea in the Ericaceae, forming a loose, upright to spreading shrub 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall, occasionally to 10 feet (3 m), that suckers to form open colonies. The thin, oval leaves are 1.5-3.5 inches (4-9 cm) long, medium green, turning dull yellow before dropping in autumn. In mid- to late spring, just before or as the leaves expand, it bears clusters of funnel-shaped flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long in shades of pale pink to nearly white, each with a slender tube and long, projecting stamens that give the flower a spidery look. The flowers carry a light, clove-like scent. Pollinated flowers form small dry capsules that split to release seed. It is native to moist woodlands, stream banks, and slopes of the eastern United States, growing in acidic, humus-rich soil in dappled shade. All parts contain grayanotoxins that are toxic to people and animals if eaten, and honey made from the flowers can also be toxic. The shallow roots need steady moisture and are intolerant of drying out, and the shrub grows poorly in alkaline or heavy, wet soils.
Native Range
Native to the eastern United States, from Massachusetts and New York south to Georgia and west to Ohio and Tennessee. It grows in moist deciduous woodlands, along stream banks, and on shaded slopes in acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Rhododendron periclymenoides is used in woodland gardens, shaded shrub borders, and native plantings in acidic-soil regions of the eastern United States. Its fragrant spring flowers suit naturalized areas and the edges of tree canopies. It combines with ferns, mountain laurel, and other acid-soil woodland plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 6'
Width/Spread4' - 6'
Bloom Information
Pale pink flowers open in mid- to late spring, usually April to May, before or as the new leaves emerge. Bloom lasts about two weeks. The clove-scented flowers are followed by small dry capsules.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight