Rhododendron luteum Honeysuckle Azalea PFAF Plant Database

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Rhododendron luteum - (L.)Sweet.

Common Name

Honeysuckle Azalea

Family

Ericaceae

Synonyms

R. flavum. Azalea pontica.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many members have poisonous leaves. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities[183].

Habitats

Mountain meadows, sometimes on limestone, beech and open coniferous forests, to 2200 metres[184]. Grows from sea-level to the sub-alpine zone[11].

Range

Europe - Austria and Poland to Turkey. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Rhododendron luteum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft).
It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.




biolib.de

Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
Hedge; Hedge; Rootstock. Plants are being grown as a medium-sized hedge at Wisley, RHS gardens in Surrey[29]. Commonly used as a rootstock for many of the ornamental cultivars of azaleas[11].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey[1]. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires[200]. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal[1]. Hardy to about -30°c[184]. A very ornamental plant[1], the flowers are sweetly scented[184] with a honey-like fragrance[245]. Plants self-sow freely when in a suitable position[11]. Succeeds in a woodland though, because of its surface-rooting habit[200], it does not compete well with surface-rooting trees[1]. Plants need to be kept well weeded, they dislike other plants growing over or into their root system, in particular they grow badly with ground cover plants, herbaceous plants and heathers[200]. Plants form a root ball and are very tolerant of being transplanted, even when quite large, so long as the root ball is kept intact[200]. Plants are tolerant of drought when they are grown under trees[184]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light. Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry[200]. Pot up the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering in late July. Takes 15 - 24 months[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Difficult[78].

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Expert comment

Author
(L.)Sweet.

Botanical References
11200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[29]Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens.

A small but informative booklet giving details of all the hedging plants being grown in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley in Surrey.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[184]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs.

Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Mark Griffiths	Thu May 25 2006

Re your reference to Huxley A, New RHS Dictionary of Gardening (1992). Would you mind giving the correct author citation, which is Huxley, A, Griffiths, M & Levy, M (Eds)? And which book, by the way, doesn't not contain 'a number of silly mistakes'? Your website is riddled with them. Mark Griffiths, Editor, The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening and associated publications

Elizabeth H.
Hans Eiberg	Sun Nov 16 2008

I saw many bee-hives in Turkey (Trapzon) surrounded by many R. luteum plants- What do they use the honey for??

Elizabeth H.
david n	Sun Nov 16 2008

Poisoning has occured from eating honey made from the nectar of some Rhododendron, you may want to look into that further, bee keepers websites will probably know about it.

Elizabeth H.
Stephen Barrett	Thu Jun 4 2009

I saw these azaleas in plume in southern Russia in the Caucasus Mountains. The smell was as sweet as Honey Locust blossoms. A local told me that if a hiker sleeps by one of these bushes and breathes that smell all night, he'll never wake up. Is that true?

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