Photo courtesy of Spotswood Greenery
Rhododendron maximum Independence
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Large leathery evergreen leaves and clear pink flowers in early summer, on a native shrub that will grow in the shade of mature woods rather than needing the edge of them. Rhododendron maximum Independence reaches 8 to 12 feet tall and wide in part shade, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 8, and takes several seasons to fill out.
Clear pink flowers open in early summer, later than most rhododendrons, in trusses held above the foliage. That late timing puts the bloom past the frosts that catch earlier varieties.
The leaves are large, leathery, and evergreen, and they curl tightly downward in hard cold, which is normal and not a sign of trouble. In winter the plant reads as a solid mass of dark green where deciduous shrubs have gone bare.
Rosebay grows wild in cool, moist woodland ravines and along mountain streams, so it wants acidic soil rich in organic matter and steady moisture. It struggles in dry ground, alkaline soil, or full afternoon sun. Mulch matters, since the roots sit shallow.
Height 8'- 12' Spread 8'- 12'
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8
Lowest Temperatures -30°F to -20°F
Part shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, mostly before midday
AL, CT, GA, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV
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