Do you have a recommendation for a particularly shade tolerant rhodie? I have dappled shade, but also some areas of fairly deep shade. I’m in the Portland, OR area.
Generally speaking, rhododendrons are tolerant of shade, but need some light if they are to produce flowers. According to Rhododendrons in America by Ted Van Veen (Binford & Mort, 1969), “the larger the leaf, the more shade required … In the Pacific Northwest … most varieties look their best if they have about one-third shade when the sun is warm.”
Dappled shade should be fine for most rhododendrons, but deep shade might mean that you end up with a non-flowering shrub. Look for large-leaved species or hybrids. These are sometimes referred to as elepidotes (generally, this term refers to hybrids with large leaves and flowers that grow in relatively large clusters).
Below are just a few examples of the hundreds of species and hybrids available. (Images and information from Oregon State University are included)
Marjatta hybrids
Here is a list of Proven Performers for Oregon, from the American Rhododendron Society:
(These are the recommended large-leaved cultivars from the Portland Chapter:)
- ‘Blue Peter’
- ‘Cynthia’
- ‘Lem’s Cameo’
- ‘Mardi Gras’
- ‘Mrs Furnival’
- ‘Odee Wright’
- ‘Taurus’
- ‘The Hon. Jean Marie de Montague’
- ‘Unique’