Rhododendron maximum aka American Rhododendron

Taxonomy

Rhododendron maximum, also known as great laurel, great rhododendron, rosebay rhododendron, American rhododendron, and big rhododendron, is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Appalachians of eastern North America. It can reach heights of up to 10m in the wild, but typically grows to around 3.5m in cultivation. The elliptic leaves can grow up to 20cm long and have a rust-colored felting on the undersides when young, along with sparse hairs on the leaf stems. This late-flowering plant produces dense clusters of 14-25 small, bell-shaped flowers in shades ranging from white to lilac pink, with yellow-green speckles on the upper petals. It blooms in the summer. Rosebay rhododendron or great laurel is a large, upright, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 30-40’ tall in its native habitat, but typically reaches heights of 5-15’. The leathery, strap-like leaves are typically 4-8” long and have a hint of rusty orange on the undersides. The rose-purplish to pink to white flowers, often with olive green to orange spots, bloom in umbel-like inflorescences from June to early July. The fruit is an oblong seed capsule that splits open when ripe, releasing numerous seeds. The genus name, Rhododendron, comes from the Greek words rhodo meaning rose and dendron meaning tree, and was transferred from the Greek name for Nerium oleander.

Common names

American Rhododendron, Great Rhododendron, Great Laurel

How to care for American Rhododendron

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, American Rhododendron is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

American Rhododendron should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

American Rhododendron loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the American Rhododendron prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Humidity

The American Rhododendron does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The American Rhododendron grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the American Rhododendron as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

American Rhododendron’s native range is Asia and North America.


More info:
Wikipedia