Shop The Presidents Day Sale! 25% Off Sitewide!

Shrubs

21 Stunning Rhododendron Varieties For Your Garden

Looking for some types of Rhododendrons to add to your garden this season, but aren't sure which to pick? There are many different varieties you can choose from, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago looks at some of the best rhodoendron varieties you can add to your garden, with names and pictures of each!

Author avatar

Written by Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: November 18, 2025 | 8 min read

Contents

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 rhododendron varieties you can plant this season!

‘April Rose’

Close-up of a flowering Rhododendron April Rose bush in the garden. The shrub bears large, rounded clusters of funnel-shaped, double, red-purple flowers with long red stamens. The leaves are dark green, leathery, and broadly elliptic.
This variety produces delightful reddish-purple flowers with a pleasant aroma.
genus genus Rhododendron ‘April Rose’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Purple
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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 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. The leaves are deep green but turn shades of red or bronze in autumn.

‘Black Satin’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Black Satin bush in a sunny garden. Large bell-shaped flowers of pinkish-purple color are collected in round clusters. The leaves are lanceolate, leathery, glossy, dark purple.
This variety is a dwarf rhododendron with pinkish-purple flowers and dark purple leaves.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Black Satin’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Purple
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 2-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-9

Black satin is a lovely dwarf rhododendron. The flowers on these rhododendron varieties 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Blue Peter bush in a sunny garden. The flowers are large, bell-shaped, a delicate light lilac color that turns white towards the center of the flower, dark purple freckles on the upper petal and long white stamens protrude from the centers.
‘Blue Peter’ produces charming lavender bell-shaped flowers with dark purple freckles on the upper petals.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Blue Peter’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Lavender Blue
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-8

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

This beautiful mid-spring bloomer produces large flowers that are nearly three inches in diameter. The foliage on this shrub is evergreen. The leaves hold onto their true green color all year long.

‘Boule de Neige’

Close-up of a blooming rhododendron Boule de Neige against a blurred flowering background. Large clusters of bell-shaped white flowers with slightly frilled edges and greenish freckles. The leaves are large, leathery, lanceolate, dark green.
This incredibly delicate rhododendron variety has snow-white, slightly fragrant flowers with light green freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Boule de Neige’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White
sun-requirements sun requirements Full shade
height height 4-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, has grown up to 10 feet!
hardiness-zones 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 1800s. The lightly scented flowers are a crisp white with light green freckles.

The petal edges are wavy, giving the flowers an 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Cherry Cheesecake bush in a sunny garden. Large white bell-shaped flowers with bright pink margins and a rich dark red spot on each upper petal. The bush has large leathery leaves of a broadly elliptical shape, dark green in color.
‘Cherry Cheesecake’ blooms in late spring with charming white flowers with bright pink margins.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Cherry Cheesecake’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White, Pink, Red
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 4-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-8

This is one of the bright and cheery rhododendron varieties. 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Chionoides bush in a garden. The bush has beautiful white bell-shaped flowers with yellow spots and freckles on the upper petals.
This variety has white flowers with yellow spots and freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Chionoides’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

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

Close-up of rhododendron Dexter's Orange flowers. The flowers are medium in size, bell-shaped, with pale pink patches on light orange petals. Slightly noticeable golden freckles on the upper petals. Buds of unblown flowers are bright pink.
‘Dexter’s Orange’ is an amazing rhododendron hybrid that produces delightful apricot-colored flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Dexter’s Orange’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink, Orange
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-8

A member of the beloved Dexter collection of rhododendrons, ‘Dexter’s Orange’ is quite a treat. The flowers have an apricot color to them from afar. 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 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’

Close-up of sunlit blooming flowers of rhododendron English Roseum. Large, rounded cluster of rose-lilac bell-shaped flowers with peach freckles on the upper petals. Long purple stamens protrude from the centers of the flowers.
This variety blooms in early summer with gorgeous mauve flowers with peach freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘English Roseum’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Purple, Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

‘English Roseum’ is a 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. These rhododendron varieties 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 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’

Close-up of a flowering Ginny Gee rhododendron bush. The bush is lush, stunned by small pale pink, bell-shaped flowers, grouped in brushes of 3-5 flowers. The petals are bright pink. The leaves are dark green, oblong, lanceolate, leathery.
This dwarf azalea produces pale white flowers with a bright pink hue on the petals.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Ginny Gee’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White, Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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 to 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Gold Prinz bush in a garden. The flowers are bell-shaped, light yellow with red freckles on the upper petals and long yellow stamens. The leaves are large, glossy, dark green, broadly elliptic.
‘Gold Prinz’ produces gorgeous light-yellow flowers with bright red freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Gold Prinz’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Yellow
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 5-7 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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’

Close-up of a rhododendron 'Loderi King George' flower blooming in a sunny garden against a blurred leafy background. The flower is small, bell-shaped, open, white with a slight pale pink blush. The flower has slightly noticeable pink freckles near the center.
‘Loderi King George’ has fragrant white flowers with a hint of blush.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Loderi King George’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 4-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-9

This is one of the most beautiful and fragrant rhododendron varieties. 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 to 12 flowers, with each flower measuring 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Ken Janeck bush against a green leafy background. The flowers are small, funnel-shaped, pale pink, turning white towards the centers and showing small brownish freckles on the upper petals. The buds of unopened flowers are deep pink.
‘Ken Janeck’ is a perfectly pink rhododendron that will slowly fade to white over time.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron yakushimanum ‘Ken Janeck’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

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 to 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 deep green and glossy. Both characteristics help to accent the pale flowers very nicely.

‘Nestucca’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron "Nestucca" bush in a garden. The bush is large, lush, has leathery, dark green, dense, lanceolate leaves and large clusters of dark pink flower buds and full-blown white bell-shaped flowers.
‘Nestucca’ produces pink buds that open into white flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Nestucca’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors White, Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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 a bit more tolerant of the sun and heat.

‘Nova Zembla’

Close-up of rhododendron Nova Zembla flowers. The flowers are medium-sized, bell-shaped, bright pinkish red with rich burgundy freckles on the upper petals. Long pink stamens with whitish anthers protrude from the centers of the flowers.
This profusely flowering rhododendron produces bright pinkish-red flowers with burgundy freckles on the upper petals.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink, Red
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 6-8 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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, these rhododendron varieties are also tolerant of extreme weather conditions and do well in full sun and heat.

‘Olga Mezitt’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Olga Mezitt bush in a sunny garden. The bush is large, lush, has large, lanceolate, dark green leaves and clusters of bright pink bell-shaped flowers with golden freckles.
‘Olga Mezitt’ is an incredibly beautiful rhododendron that blooms with bright pink flowers with golden freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Olga Mezitt’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 4-5 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-9

If you are seeking rhododendron varieties 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’

Close-up of blooming rounded clusters of bright purple flowers of rhododendron PJM Elite. The flowers are small, bell-shaped, with slightly wavy edges and long prominent pink stamens. The leaves are lanceolate, dark green, leathery.
This rhododendron produces vibrant purple bell-shaped flowers and evergreen foliage.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘PJM Elite’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Purple
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 5-6 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

The flowers on the ‘PJM Elite’ are 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 to 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’

Close-up of a flowering rhododendron Ramapo bush in a sunny garden. The flowers are bell-shaped, bright purple, with prominent white-violet stamens and orange anthers. The leaves are large, leathery, broadly elliptical, dark green with white dots on the surface.
‘Ramapo’ is a pure purple rhododendron with evergreen, fragrant foliage.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Ramapo’
plant-type plant type Lepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Purple
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

A perfectly purple rhododendron, ‘Ramapo’ is a beautiful, smaller rhododendron for your gardens. Many of the purple rhododendron varieties 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’

Close-up of a flowering bush of rhododendron Roseum Elegans against a blue sky. The flowers are collected in large clusters, about 10 in each group. The flowers are pinkish-purple with orange freckles on the upper petals. The leaves are large, evergreen, wide, dark green, lanceolate.
‘Roseum Elegans’ has large pinkish-purple clusters and broad, evergreen leaves.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Roseum Elegans’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink, Lavender
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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’

Close-up of blooming rhododendron Scintillation flowers against a blurred leafy background. The flowers are bell-shaped, soft pink, with golden freckles on the upper petals and prominent pale yellow stamens.
This rhododendron attracts with its magnificent light pink flowers with golden freckles.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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 to 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’

Close-up of blooming rhododendron September Song flowers against a blurred background. The flowers are funnel-shaped, centers are light orange, ruffled edges are bright pink with bright orange splashes. The leaves are dark green, leathery, lanceolate, with a whitish bloom.
‘September Song’ is a unique rhododendron that produces light orange flowers with ruffled hot pink edges.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘September Song’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Orange, Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 4-5 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
hardiness-zones 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 gives the shrub the appearance of being covered in these fun springtime blossoms. The foliage is evergreen with deep green and glossy leaves. There is no fall interest in terms of color, but the colorful springtime flowers make this shrub worth it.

‘Wheatley’

Close-up of rhododendron Wheatley flowers against a blurred green background. The flowers are small, bell-shaped, white with pinkish-purple corrugated edges and green-yellow freckles on the upper petals. A bee flies up to a flower to collect nectar.
This variety has white luminescent flowers with light purple and pink hues.
botanical-name botanical name Rhododendron ‘Wheatley’
plant-type plant type Elepidote
bloom-colors bloom colors Pink
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 6-10 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-8

‘Wheatley’ is one of the showstopping rhododendron varieties. 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.

Share This Post
Recommended read badge

Shrubs

11 Dwarf Rhododendron Varieties For Compact Garden Spaces

Are you looking for a more compact rhododendron to add to your home landscape? There are many different dwarf rhododendrons that will fit this criteria, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago takes a deeper look at her favorite dwarf rhododendrons, with names and pictures of each!

when to plant azaleas

Shrubs

Where Should You Plant Azaleas For Optimal Growth?

Are you considering planting azaleas in your garden but you are not sure where they should go? These flowering shrubs will survive in many different growing conditions. But which is best? In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares how you can expect your azalea to grow depending on where it is planted.

azalea varieties

Shrubs

35 Different Types of Flowering Azalea Varieties

Are you thinking of adding some flowering azaleas to your garden this season? There are many different types of azaleas, with different growing profiles and bloom times. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago takes a deeper look at some of the top varieties you can add to your garden this season!

pink azaleas

Shrubs

11 Pink Azalea Varieties That Will Liven Up Your Garden

Are you thinking of planting some Pink Azaleas this season, but aren't sure which varieties will grow in your geographic location? There are plenty to choose from, which can make picking the right variety a bit confusing. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago examines her favorite pink azalea varieties, with names and pictures of each!

rhododendron bloloming tips

Shrubs

14 Tips For Beautiful Blooming Rhododendrons This Season

If you are trying to keep your rhododendrons blooming as long as possible, you are in the right place! Rhodies are beautiful blooming shrubs, but there are some actions you can take to keep them blooming even longer. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago gives you her top tops to ensure your Rhodies are blooming all season long!

A shot of a flower of a plant that showcases how to revive dying azalea

Shrubs

Why Your Azalea is Dying and How to Revive it

Do you have an azalea that's dying in your yard or garden, and aren't quite sure how to bring it back to life? There are many reasons an azalea can struggle, but the good news is that reviving them is possible. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago walks through seven steps to bring your azaleas back if they've started to decline.