Designing with Rhododendrons: Bold Evergreens for Northwest Gardens

When Sir Joseph Hooker collected rhododendron seed in the Himalayas 150 years ago, he noted that above 12,000 feet in Darjeeling, about three-quarters of all plants were rhododendrons. Today, in many Northwest neighborhoods, a similar observation holds—three-fourths of flowering shrubs are rhodies. As landscape designer Beatrix Jones Farrand once noted, no other shrub compares for grand effect.

The photographs on the following pages show beautiful ways to situate rhododendrons in various landscapes. Design challenges include giving these bold evergreens enough shoulder room and preventing flower-color clashes.

As you choose among nursery plants in 2-gallon cans, remember most will grow taller than you. Before buying, ask nursery staff about the plant's size at maturity.

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