Family

Ericaceae

Description

Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is the largest and one of the most iconic native rhododendrons in eastern North America, often forming dense thickets in cool, acidic, and shaded Appalachian forests. Its large, leathery, evergreen leaves and late-spring to midsummer bloom clusters of pale pink to white flowers make it a defining feature of woodland understories from Nova Scotia to Georgia. It is frequently planted for its year-round presence, shade tolerance, and naturalistic form in woodland and native gardens.

In the wild, R. maximum plays a crucial ecological role by stabilizing slopes, providing cover for wildlife, and influencing forest composition through deep shade and leaf litter chemistry. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained, acidic soils and thrives in USDA Zones 4–8. While slow to establish, it is a long-lived species and capable of reproducing clonally through layering, forming expansive colonies.

Bloom Time

June to July