Rhododendron is a class of mostly large--to 12 feet--shrubs with dark green, elongated leaves and colorful trusses of flowers that stand proudly above the foliage in mid- to late spring and early summer. Blooms can be red, purple, white, or pink. Most popular types are: Carolina (R. carolinianum), a compact plant with rust-colored leaf undersides; P.J.M., a hybrid, low grower with purple blooms; Catawba (R. catawbiense), the source of many of today's hybrids; Rosebay (R. maximum), the largest of the group; and R. impeditum, a dwarf, rock garden plant with small, almost blue flowers in early spring. |
