21 Stunning Rhododendron Varieties For Your Garden

Rhododendrons are magnificent flowering shrubs whose flowers grace our gardens throughout the spring and early summer. Their beautiful flowers bloom in a variety of colors, and the shrubs themselves come in many different sizes.

Aside from their beauty, rhododendrons are wonderful plants for the low-maintenance gardener. Once the shrubs are well established, they require very little from you.

Whether this is the first time you are choosing a rhododendron, or if you are a seasoned rhododendron gardener, I hope that this list can inspire you to add some new color to your garden. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top varieties you can plant this season!

‘April Rose’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors Purple
	height 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘April Rose’ is not only a beautiful rhododendron, but it is a tough and cold hardy variety as well. The purple flowers on this shrub will emerge in early spring.

These flowers are a reddish-purple and will reach up to 2 inches in diameter. The flowers on ‘April Rose’ will grow at the tips of the branches and have a nice fragrance to them. The leaves are deep green but will turn shades of red or bronze in the autumn.

‘Black Satin’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors Purple
	height 2-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

Black satin is a lovely dwarf rhododendron. The flowers on this rhododendron are a pretty pinkish purple with a coral throat. These two-inch blooms are gathered in trusses of 10 flowers.

The foliage on black satin is a deep purple, which is what really sets this rhododendron apart. Do not be worried if new growth is green, it will darken as it ages. There is no notable fall color to the foliage.

‘Blue Peter’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Lavender Blue
	height 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

If you are seeking a different rhododendron with the same beauty, give blue peter a home in your garden. Blue Peter’s flowers are a lavender on the flower petal edges and will fade lighter as you get to the center of the flowers, which is a deep shade of purple.

This beautiful mid-spring bloomer produces large flowers that are nearly three inches in diameter and are found in clusters of 15 flowers which makes a massive statement. The foliage on this shrub is evergreen. The leaves hold onto their true green color all year long.

‘Boule de Neige’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors White
	height 4-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, has grown up to 10 feet!
	hardiness zones 4-8

For a classically beautiful white rhododendron, plant ‘Boule De Neige‘ in your gardens. Not to be mistaken with the white rose that bears the same name, this beautiful shrub has been around since the late 1800’s. The lightly scented flowers on this rhododendron are a crisp white with light green freckles.

The petal edges are wavy, giving the flowers a very elegant appearance. These flowers will reach nearly three inches across and will be bunched together in trusses of 10 beautiful flowers. The evergreen foliage is a soft green with hints of gray.

‘Cherry Cheesecake’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors White, Pink, Red
	height 4-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

This variety is a bright and cheery rhododendron. Blooming in the later part of spring, these flowers are really something to marvel at.

Most of the flower is white, but the edges of the flower petals are bright pink and the splotch on the upper petal is a deep red, almost burgundy. Cherry cheesecake’s flowers are grouped together into large ball-shaped trusses of many flowers. The leaves are large and have a deep shade of green.

‘Chionoides’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors White
	height 3-4 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Chionoides’ is a very pretty white blooming rhododendron. The flowers on this rhododendron variety will bloom later in the spring, but when they appear, they will be a crisp white with yellow splotches and freckles. Each of these flowers will reach up to about 2 inches across and will be gathered together in a cluster of 12 to 18 flowers!

The foliage on the ‘Chionoides’ is evergreen. This is a nice compact rhododendron with an attractive mounding growth habit. Use it as a hedge or as a specimen plant in your garden.

‘Dexter’s Orange’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink, Orange
	height 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

A member of the beloved Dexter collection of rhododendrons, ‘Dexter’s Orange’ ‘is quite a treat. The flowers from afar have an apricot color to them, however, when you get closer, you will notice intricate splashes of pink throughout the light orange petals and white petals.

The trusses of flowers are made up of eight 3-inch flowers. The leaves are olive green and will last all year long. ‘Dexter’s Orange’ is a dense growing rhododendron, with branches that will sweep the ground.

‘English Roseum’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Purple, Pink
	height 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘English Roseum’ is a very pretty purple rhododendron. It is known to be tolerant of many conditions, including humidity, sun, and cold. The flowers are a rosy shade of purple with peach freckles. They will bloom in late spring or early summer. The foliage is evergreen and a rich shade of green.

‘English Roseum’ is a large rhododendron that would be very pretty tucked into a woodland garden but maybe even more beautiful when used in the back of a foundation garden or perennial garden.

‘Ginny Gee’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors White, Pink
	height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-8

‘Ginny Gee’ is a wonderful dwarf azalea. The flowers are mainly white; However, the petals have a dash of bright pink giving the shrub an almost tropical vibe.

The flowers themselves are small, reaching only 1 inch in diameter and are grouped together in a truss of 3-5 flowers. The semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves will hold a green color for most of the year but will take on some shades of red in the fall.

‘Gold Prinz’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Yellow
	height 5-7 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-9

Yellow rhododendrons might be the least common rhododendron color. But there are many beautiful yellow-blooming varieties, and ‘Gold Prinz’ is one of them. These light-yellow flowers will pop in late spring. You will notice red freckles on the petals.

The evergreen foliage is a glossy deep green that really allows the yellow flowers to pop. This rhododendron is known for spreading a bit wider than its height. Use it as a hedge or under a lower window where you can enjoy the springtime blooms.

‘Loderi King George’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors White
	height 4-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
	hardiness zones 7-9

This is a very beautiful and fragrant rhododendron. The flowers on ‘Loderi King George’ are born from deep pink flower buds. When the petals open, they will be mostly white, but you will notice a hint of blush coming from the backside of the petals.

The flowers will be bunched in large groups of 10-12 flowers, with each flower nearing 3 inches across. The foliage is green throughout the year. In the fall, however, the stems and foliage will take on a hint of burgundy.

‘Ken Janeck’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3-4 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

If you are looking for a perfectly pink rhododendron, ‘Ken Janeck’ just might be the variety for you. Blooming in mid-spring, the pretty pink flowers on this shrub will emerge from deep pink buds. These flowers will be tightly bunched together in trusses of 13-17 flowers.

These pink flowers will slowly fade to white, which is when you will notice the greenish-brown freckles on the upper petals. The foliage is a deep green and very glossy. Both characteristics help to accent the pale flowers very nicely.

‘Nestucca’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors White, Pink
	height 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

This smaller rhododendron packs a punch when it comes to its springtime blossoms. These flowers begin their show as pink flower buds, which will open to mostly white flower petals.

You may notice some green freckling within the petals. The foliage is glossy and deep green. ‘Nestucca’ is a good rhododendron if you are looking for something that is a bit more tolerant of the sun and heat.

‘Nova Zembla’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink, Red
	height 6-8 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Nova Zembla’ is well known and loved for its prolific blooms. When these flowers bloom the shrub will be drenched in brightly colored flowers. Come mid-spring, bright pinkish-red flowers will emerge with deep burgundy freckles and splotches on the upper petals.

While the foliage does not age into any notable fall color, it remains glossy and deep green year-round. If the beauty of ‘Nova Zembla’ isn’t convincing enough for you, this rhododendron is also very tolerant of extreme weather conditions and does very well in full sun and heat.

‘Olga Mezitt’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors Pink
	height 4-5 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you are seeking a rhododendron with year-round interest for your garden, ‘Olga Mezitt’ is a great option for you! This pretty pink rhododendron blooms early in the season. The flowers will be bunched together in clusters of about 12 flowers each.

Olga Mezitt’s flowers are a bright pink with gold freckles. The foliage is evergreen and will turn shades of copper and deep red in the fall. ‘Olga Mezitt’ is more tolerant of heat and sunshine than other rhododendron varieties.

‘PJM Elite’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors Purple
	height 5-6 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-8

The flowers on the ‘PJM Elite’ are very vibrant and fill the middle of spring with bright purple beauty! PJM rhododendrons are well known for their bright flowers but also for their dependability in areas where harsh winters occur.

These purple flowers will bloom into clusters of 10-15 flowers. The leaves are evergreen and are a deep glossy green throughout the growing season. When the temperatures begin to cool in the fall the leaves will turn burgundy, or an attractive brown.

‘Ramapo’

	plant type Lepidote
	bloom colors Purple
	height 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-8

A perfectly purple rhododendron, ‘Ramapo’ is a beautiful smaller rhododendron for your gardens. Many of the purple rhododendrons carry a hint of pink in their petals, but this variety is pure purple.

The flowers are grouped together in smaller clusters. The foliage on this rhododendron is evergreen and aromatic. The leaves on ‘Ramapo’ open are a blue-green until they turn copper in the fall.

‘Roseum Elegans’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink, Lavender
	height 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
	hardiness zones 4-8

This variety is loved for its large clusters of pinkish-purple flowers. These flowers will begin to bloom around the middle or end of spring.

The purple flowers have orange freckling and splotches on the upper petals. As these blooms age, they will take on more of a pink hue. You will find these flowers in large clusters of up to 10 flowers. The leaves are broad and evergreen. The leaves are olive green in color and hold no notable fall foliage.

‘Scintillation’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink
	height 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

‘Scintillation’ is an award-winning rhododendron that is most prized for its glorious flowers. These flowers are a beautiful shade of light pink with gold freckles and splotches. Each of these flowers can reach up to 2 ½ inches across and will be grouped together in trusses of 11-15 flowers.

The foliage is evergreen and will remain green all year long without any appreciable fall color. This rhododendron variety is known to have its leaves curl up during the winter but will recover when the temperatures rise.

‘September Song’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Orange, Pink
	height 4-5 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-8

This is a uniquely colored rhododendron variety. The center of the flowers is light orange, while the ruffled edges are bright pink with splashes of bright orange.

The trusses of flowers are loosely bunched together, which give the shrub the appearance of being covered in these fun springtime blossoms. The foliage is evergreen with deep green and glossy leaves. There is not any fall interest in terms of color, but the colorful springtime flowers make this shrub worth it.

‘Wheatley’

	plant type Elepidote
	bloom colors Pink
	height 6-10 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-8

‘Wheatley’ is a showstopper of a large rhododendron. The flowers on this variety are almost luminescent. They take on different shades of pink, white and even light purple depending on how the light is hitting them.

The flowers are gathered together in large trusses of up to 16 flowers. The evergreen leaves on ‘Wheatley’ are a lighter matte green. The leaves stay attractive year-round.