Pacific Rhododendron
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- Rhododendron macrophyllum
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Pink, Purple
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: California, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hemigraphiphora plebeia
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Confusing bumble bee (Bombus perplexus), Confusing bumble bee (Bombus perplexus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic matter-rich environments
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours, rinsed, and then placed in water for an additional 24 hours. Following this, seeds are subjected to a 30-day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3 °C. They can be placed in fine mesh bags in a covered container or sown into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs and sealed in plastic bags. Containers or trays are then placed in refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C. Stratified seeds in mesh bags should be rinsed or plugs moistened weekly. If mold is evident, seeds should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Source: npn.rngr.net