Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Rhododendron

Species:

Rhododendron atlanticum

USDA Symbol:

RHAT

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

180 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

butterflies, hummingbirds

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; historically maintained by fire in coastal plain pine savannas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, well-drained soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.0 (acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to coastal plains, prefers organic-rich soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow on moist medium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI