Skip to main content
Rhododendron 'Snowbird' (Snowbird Rhododendron)
© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Snowbird'

Snowbird Rhododendron

Ericaceae
Garden hybrid origin (yakushimanum hybrid; purest white yak—fades to white fastest; very compact 2-3 ft; tan indumentum)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m)
Width3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Rhododendron 'Snowbird' is an evergreen shrub reaching 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) tall with a spread of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) and a very compact, dense, low-mounding habit. An elepidote rhododendron (yakushimanum hybrid), it produces rounded trusses of 10-14 funnel-shaped flowers 2 inches (5 cm) wide in pure white to faintly blush-pink from deeper pink buds—the flowers open with a pink blush and quickly fade to pure white. The elliptic leaves 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) long are glossy dark green above with a light tan indumentum on the undersides. Growth rate is very slow. Hardy to zone 5. The purest white yakushimanum hybrid—while other yak hybrids hold more pink, 'Snowbird' fades to pure white rapidly.

Native Range

Rhododendron 'Snowbird' is a hybrid of garden origin involving R. yakushimanum.

Suggested Uses

Planted in borders, rock gardens, or containers at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. The purest white yakushimanum hybrid—fades to white fastest. Very compact (2-3 feet). Tan indumentum. White flowers show blemishes. Not suitable for alkaline soils, full sun, or dry conditions.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Dreamland' and 'Elsie Watson' (also compact yak hybrids) by the near-pure white (versus lingering pink) mature flower color—the fastest-fading yak hybrid. Distinguished from 'Naselle' (also white) by the compact yakushimanum form (2-3 feet versus 4-5 feet) and the indumentum. The purest white yakushimanum hybrid—compact, with indumentum, fading from blush-pink buds to pure white.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummer
Rounded trusses of 10-14 funnel-shaped pure white to faintly blush-pink flowers 2 inches (5 cm), from deeper pink buds, fading rapidly to pure white, May-June. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pure white to faintly blush-pink from deeper pink buds; fades rapidly to white; funnel-shaped 2 inches; trusses of 10-14; May-Jun

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green above, light tan indumentum beneath; elliptic 3-4 inches; leathery

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-6 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0). Hardy to zone 5. Very compact—no staking. White flowers show petal blight damage—good air circulation helps. Mulch to maintain cool moist roots. Very slow growing.

Pruning

Deadhead spent trusses after bloom. Virtually no pruning needed—very compact form develops naturally.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans