‘White’ Catawba Rhododendron
Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Album’
Other Names: Rhododendron cawatabiense ‘Album’, Rhododendron ‘Catawba Album’.
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b (hot climates) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 5-6′
Width at Maturity: 5-6′
Spacing: 6′ for solid hedges; 15′ for space between plants
Flower Color: Soft Lavender buds open to open to White Flowers with Chartreuse freckles
Flower Size: 2″ in 5 to 6 in diameter clusters
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Type: Single, in rounded clusters
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Full Sun in cool climates, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or All Day Filtered Sun in hot climates
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.0 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold (-30F), Humidity, Insect, Full Sun in cool climates
Description
The White Catawba is an Ironclad rhododendron bred for cold hardiness by Anthony Waterer of Knap Hill, Surrey, England in the late 1800’s. It can handle temperatures down to -30F. Its soft lavender buds open into campanulate, white flowers adorned with a blotch of chartreuse freckles. Dark green lustrous and disease-resistant evergreen leaves are an excellent backdrop for the spring flowers. A dense and vigorous grower to 5 to 6 feet tall and equally as wide, larger over time, White Catawba makes for an impressive eye-catching specimen in partially shaded to sunny woodland or landscape borders. This glorious beauty will always have you looking forward to spring!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 5 to 6 feet tall and equally as wide, the White Catawba Rhododendron is ideal for use as a specimen or as a natural hedge or privacy screen in partially shaded landscape and woodland borders. A fine accent against a large open wall in home and building foundations. Does especially well on fertile embankments, hillsides and slopes. Can be grown in large pots but will eventually need to be transplanted to the landscape where it will have more room to grow. A fine addition to white theme gardens, rhododendron and azalea gardens, Asian or zen gardens, and woodland gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 4 to 5 feet apart for solid hedges; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
When it comes to success growing Rhododendrons, a little good advice goes a long way. When planted right and in the right spot, Rhododendrons are very easy to grow and care for.
Rhododendrons thrive in a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and part shade; preferable morning sun with afternoon shade or heavily filtered sun. All day dappled shade is fine as well. Keep in mind that whether growing in the ground or in containers, constantly soggy or wet soil is problematic for Rhododendrons, and most other plants for that matter. Some soils, such as heavy clay, quick-draining sand, or otherwise poor soils, might need to be amended to provide sufficient nutrients, better soil drainage, and/or moisture retention. In containers, select a pot with a drainage hole(s) and use a 50/50 blend of professional potting mix and potting soil. Avoid using any native soil in pots. Feed Rhododendrons after they bloom with an acid-loving formula such as an Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Food.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Rhododendrons.
How To Plant A Rhododendron
How To Fertilize & Water A Rhododendron
How To Prune A Rhododendron
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