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Rhododendron catawbiense /ro.doˈdɛn.drɔn/

Common name: Catawba rhododendron · Mountain rosebay

Rhododendron catawbiense is an evergreen shrub native to the southern Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, where it grows on mountain slopes and ridges from Virginia to Georgia and Alabama. It forms a dense, rounded bush up to about 4 m tall with leathery, dark green leaves and large trusses of lilac-purple, funnel-shaped flowers in late spring. It is prized in gardens for its exceptional cold hardiness and has been used extensively in hybridizing to produce many of the hardy rhododendron cultivars grown today.

Fun facts

  • It is one of the most cold-hardy rhododendron species, surviving temperatures down to about −30 °C (−20 °F).
  • In cold weather its leaves curl and droop, a visible signal of freezing temperatures and reduced water loss.
  • Its name honors the Catawba River region of North Carolina, near where it was first described.
  • It is a parent of countless garden hybrids, including many of the famous 'Catawbiense' ironclad hybrids bred in the 19th century.

Care summary

Sun Partial shade; tolerates full sun if kept moist
Water Evenly moist; never waterlogged or dry for long
Soil Acidic, humus-rich, well-drained
Hardiness Zones 4–8
Mature height About 180–400 cm (6–13 ft)
Pet safe No — all parts toxic to pets and humans
Difficulty Moderate
Propagation Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, wound the base lightly, dip in rooting hormone, and root them in a moist acidic mix under high humidity; rooting is slow and can take several months. Simple layering of low branches is a slower but more reliable alternative.

Make your own Catawba rhododendron · Mountain rosebay profile

Common problems

    • Test soil and lower pH
    • Feed with ericaceous fertilizer
    • Mulch with pine needles or bark
    • Plant in raised beds or mounds
    • Improve drainage before planting
    • Avoid overwatering established shrubs
    • Hose undersides of leaves
    • Apply insecticidal soap when active
    • Keep plants well watered
    • Plant away from harsh winds
    • Water deeply before ground freezes
    • Use burlap screen in winter