wetland shrub

Rhodora

Rhododendron canadense

Native to the Northeast and southern Canada

Newfoundland to eastern Ontario, south to eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey

Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry to wet Moisture preference
Zones 3–7 Cold to heat range
Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

In the garden

A wetland shrub for full sun to part shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 3–7.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee +5 more
Half-black Bumble Bee, Yellowish Cuckoo Bumble bee, Bufflehead Mason Bee, frigid bumble bee, Brown-fovea Miner
Butterflies American Lady

also Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Hobomok Skipper, Northern Azure +4 more
Dreamy Duskywing, Callophrys lanoraieensis, Incisalia niphon, Papilio cresphontes
Moths Hummingbird Clearwing also Nessus Sphinx

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Northeast and southern CanadaUnited States (9): CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT. Canada (6): NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Newfoundland to eastern Ontario, south to eastern Pennsylvania and northern New JerseyThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Dry to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–7 · Canadian 1–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Cold, wet, acid or peaty soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil pH: 4.0–5.3The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 16+ in (41+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Propagation & seed

Cold stratification: Required (cold, moist)Whether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: Bare root, container, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
Seed: ~5 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
Seed spread rate: SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Seedling vigor: LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
Vegetative spread: SlowWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.