Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ – A Majestic Shrub with Large, Lavender-Pink Blooms
Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ is an elegant and hardy evergreen shrub, known for its large, stunning lavender-pink flowers that bloom in mid to late spring. The generous clusters of blossoms create a striking display that brightens any garden, while its glossy dark green foliage provides a beautiful backdrop. Reaching a height of 250-400 cm, this variety is perfect for larger borders, hedges, or as a focal point in woodland gardens. ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ is celebrated for its refined beauty and resilience, making it a timeless addition to any landscape.
Why Grow Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’?
Large Lavender-Pink Blooms – The impressive clusters of lavender-pink flowers provide a dramatic and vibrant show in mid to late spring, creating a captivating display that draws the eye. The flowers’ bold colour contrast beautifully against the dark green foliage.
Upright & Strong Habit – Growing to a height of 250/400cm, ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ has an upright and spreading growth habit, making it ideal for large garden borders, foundation plantings, or as a backdrop for other perennials. Its size provides excellent visual structure to the garden.
Evergreen Foliage – The glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round interest, offering a consistent and attractive backdrop to the blooms. The evergreen nature of the plant ensures it retains its vibrant foliage throughout all seasons, contributing to the garden’s overall structure.
Hardy & Low Maintenance – Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ is incredibly hardy and can withstand a range of growing conditions, making it a great choice for colder climates. Once established, it requires minimal care and is resistant to many common pests and diseases.
Pollinator-Friendly – The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making this Rhododendron an excellent choice for creating a wildlife-friendly garden that supports local ecosystems.
Planting & Care Guide
Position: Prefers partial shade, though it can tolerate some full sun, especially in cooler climates. It thrives in sheltered spots, protected from strong winds that could damage its blooms and foliage.
Soil: Best suited to well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Rhododendrons prefer a slightly acidic pH (4.5–6.0) and benefit from consistent moisture, particularly during the growing season.
Watering: Water regularly when newly planted, ensuring the soil stays moist but not soggy. Once established, ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture, particularly during dry spells.
Maintenance:
- Deadhead spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage more compact growth, though the plant naturally dies back after flowering.
- Prune lightly after flowering to shape the shrub and remove any dead or damaged growth.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool during hot months.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense Grandiflorum’ pairs beautifully with other spring-blooming perennials such as Hellebores, Bleeding Heart (Dicentra), or Astilbes, where the soft lavender-pink flowers create a stunning contrast with their delicate blooms. It also blends well with other Rhododendrons or Azaleas in mixed shrub borders, creating a harmonious and colourful display. For a more dramatic effect, combine with plants that have dark foliage, such as Heuchera, to make the pink flowers pop even more. This Rhododendron can also be used as a focal point in woodland or shaded gardens, where its vibrant blooms stand out against a sea of green.
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.
