Rhododendron minus

• BOTANICAL NAME: Rhododendron minus
• PRONUNCIATION: ro-do-DEN-drun MY-nus
• COMMON NAME: Dwarf Rhododendron
• FAMILY: Ericaceae
• NATIVITY: North Carolina south to Georgia, primarily in the inner costal plains and lower mountains
• GROWTH HABIT: Small rounded shrub.
• SIZE: 3 - 6' tall in cultivation, to 10' in the wild. Can get taller than R. carolinianum.
• HARDINESS: Zone 5 - 9
• CULTURE: Plants grow in the open uplands and are tolerant
  of some sun but will grow in shade. Rich, moist, acidic soils are best for optimal growth.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Specimen plant, shade garden, naturalizing.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, broad elliptic to ovate, entire, not or only slightly revolute, 1 1/2 - 4" long.
• BUDS:
• BARK:
• FLOWERS: Flowers in terminal trusses, rose-pink to white in color, June.
  Differs from R. carolinianum in that R. minus has deeper colored flowers, 4 - 6 weeks later.
• FRUIT: Capsule.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cuttings.
• PESTS: Lace-wing, root-rot.
• CULTIVARS: Some native plant nurseries will list the white form.