Southgate Splendor Rhododendron

Southgate Splendor RhododendronWhile many Rhododendrons cant handle swelteringly hot temperatures, the Southgate Splendor Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'HOLDEN52') from the Southern Living Plant Collection can handle the dog days of summer! It features intense medium pink buds that open up to soft pink blooms and medium pink freckles in spring. These flower clusters are long lasting and sizeable. They simply refuse to be ignored! The leaves are dark green, elongated, and oval shaped.

While many Rhododendrons can’t handle swelteringly hot temperatures, the Southgate® Splendor™ Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'HOLDEN52’') from the Southern Living Plant Collection can handle the dog days of summer! It features intense medium pink buds that open up to soft-pink blooms and medium pink freckles in spring. These flower clusters are long-lasting and sizeable. They simply refuse to be ignored!

The leaves are dark green, elongated, and oval-shaped. They easily create dynamic texture and shape contrast in mixed garden beds. Furthermore, this foliage is very consistent and evergreen throughout the year.

It has a relatively slow growth rate; therefore, it's remarkably low maintenance over time. It's very compact and manageable at its mature height of 4-5' H x 4-5' W.

We recommend using these reliable beauties as accents, casual hedges, foundation plantings, container plantings, and in shade gardens.

Southgate Splendor Rhododendron Care

• Hardy from USDA Zones 6-9, and much more heat tolerant than traditional Rhododendrons while still being just as effective in areas where this species normally thrives.
• Plant in Part Shade to Shade. 1-3 hours of direct sun or all-day filtered sun will produce the best results.
• Water your new plantings 2-3 times per week during the first growing season. They may require more or less water depending on the weather.
• Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage for best results.
• Fertilize with a slow-release acidic plant fertilizer in early spring.

Popular Companion Plants for the Southgate Splendor Rhododendron

• Planting a shade garden? Try this variety with some other shade-tolerant selections, the Florida Sunshine Illicium, Soft Caress Mahonia, and Marvel Mahonia.
• Plant some around taller plants or trees that create shady spots underneath and next to themselves.
• Try it with some other low-maintenance partial shade beauties with great texture, like the Yewtopia Plum Yew or Juliet Cleyera.