Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Golden Torch' – A Glowing Beauty with Golden Yellow Blooms
Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Golden Torch' is a captivating evergreen shrub known for its striking golden-yellow flowers that bloom in mid to late spring. These large, trumpet-shaped blooms shine brightly against the dark green, leathery foliage, creating a radiant contrast that captures attention in the garden. With its compact, dense growth habit and rounded form, ‘Golden Torch’ is perfect for smaller spaces, woodland gardens, or as a standout shrub in mixed borders. Hardy, low-maintenance, and stunningly beautiful, this rhododendron adds a touch of elegance and warmth to any landscape.
Why Grow Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Golden Torch'?
Golden Yellow Blooms – The standout feature of ‘Golden Torch’ is its large, vibrant golden-yellow flowers. These trumpet-shaped blossoms form in dense clusters, creating a brilliant burst of colour in mid to late spring that adds a glowing focal point to the garden.
Compact, Rounded Growth – With its naturally compact and rounded growth habit, ‘Golden Torch’ maintains a tidy, uniform shape, making it ideal for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or containers. Its compact size ensures it fits well in a variety of garden styles.
Evergreen Foliage – The dark green, leathery leaves provide year-round interest, offering a lush backdrop to the golden blooms. The glossy foliage maintains its vibrant appearance through the seasons, adding structure and texture to the garden even when not in bloom.
Cold Hardy & Resilient – As a variety of Rhododendron yakushimanum, 'Golden Torch' is known for its exceptional hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler climates. It performs well in a variety of conditions and is particularly suited to colder regions where other rhododendrons may struggle.
Low Maintenance – Once established, ‘Golden Torch’ is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning. It’s perfect for gardeners seeking a beautiful yet trouble-free shrub that provides reliable colour every spring with little effort.
Pollinator-Friendly – The radiant golden-yellow blooms of ‘Golden Torch’ attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.
Planting & Care Guide
Position: Prefers partial to full shade, thriving in cool, sheltered spots that provide protection from the hot afternoon sun. ‘Golden Torch’ is ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or areas with dappled light, where it can grow best without exposure to harsh midday sun.
Soil: Requires acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Like all rhododendrons, 'Golden Torch' prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0 to ensure optimal growth and vibrant blooms.
Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Rhododendrons have shallow roots, so deep watering is essential to keep the soil hydrated. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as it can stress the plant.
Maintenance:
- Prune after flowering to remove any dead or damaged growth and to shape the plant. This will help maintain a neat form and encourage healthy new growth.
- Apply mulch around the base with pine bark or needles to retain moisture, cool the roots, and suppress weed growth.
- Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for acid-loving plants to promote healthy growth and stunning blooms.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Golden Torch' pairs beautifully with other acid-loving plants, such as Azaleas, Heuchera, and Pieris, enhancing its golden-yellow flowers. The vibrant blooms look spectacular against the softer textures of ferns, hostas, or astilbes, creating a lovely contrast in shaded or woodland gardens. For a striking spring display, combine with other early bloomers such as primroses or cyclamen to extend the season of colour. The compact form of ‘Golden Torch’ also works well alongside evergreen shrubs like Boxwood or Yew, providing year-round structure and interest. With its brilliant golden blooms and elegant, compact form, ‘Golden Torch’ is a perfect addition to any garden, offering both beauty and low-maintenance charm.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
