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Rhododendron canadense

Rhodora, Canada rosebay

Plant Details

Common Name: Rhodora, Canada rosebay
Family: Ericaceae (heath family)
Mature Height: 2 - 5'
Sun Requirement: Sun
Moisture Requirement: Dry - medium, Medium - moist, Moist
Flower Color: Pink, Violet
Bloom Time: Spring (May or earlier)

Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora
Rhododendron canadense rhodora

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Etymology

Rhododendron is Greek for rose-tree; canadense is Greek for northern in origin.

Native Habitat

Coniferous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, thickets, open rocky areas, lake margins, bogs and swamps.

Garden Uses

Early color in acidic wetlands.

Overview

This small (about 3 foot high), deciduous shrub is found throughout Maine brightening sunny wetlands with its bright pink-lavender flowers early in spring, before its leaves emerge. It prefers cold, wet, acidic, peaty soil.

Leaves and Stems

This shrub has multi-stemmed, thin, sparse branches with peeling, smooth bark that is brown to reddish. Its leaves are grey-green, oblong, simple, smooth and stemmed. The leaves grow singly, up to 3 inches in length, and their undersides are hairy.

Flowers

Flowers are rose-purple and grow in terminal clusters of 2-6 prior to leaf emergence. Unlike other rhododendrons, these flowers are not trumpet shaped. Instead, the 3 upper petal-like lobes are erect and almost unite, while the 2 lower lobes are divided and spreading. Each flower is approximately 1 inch in diameter, and has an unusual 10 stamens. Buds for the next year form post-bloom and are scaled, overlapping like shingles.

Fruit/Seed

Tiny seeds mature in small (1/2-inch) orange-brown capsules.

Animal Associates

This shrub is a host plant for the larva of Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia). Its flowers are attractive to early bees. Rhododendrons are poisonous to animals and humans, and even its honey should not be ingested.

Propagation

Seeds can be sown in peat, under mist or plastic tents.

Ethnobotanical Uses

None found.

Garden Location

Library Garden (see garden map)

Anecdotal Information

A historic icon of New England wetlands, this species inspired poetry from Emerson. Rhodora is the name of the New England Botanical Club’s scientific journal.

Sources

iNaturalist

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 

Native Plant Trust 

Plant Profile by Kate O'Dell