Rhododendron catawbiense 'Chionoides' (Catawba Rhododendron)

Rhododendron catawbiense 'Chionoides' is a vigorous, showy-flowered cultivar of Catawba rhododendron, also called mountain rosebay, a large, evergreen shrub found in the uplands of the southern Appalachian range and Smokey Mountain states. The 'Chionoides' cultivar, with its name derived from 'snow-like,' is noted for its intensely snow-white blooms as well as its moderate size of only 4-6' tall and wide. Though fairly slow growing, Rhododendron catawbiense 'Chionoides' produces profuse displays of blooms in the late spring or early summer, with flowers forming in dense clusters at the tips of branches. These flower clusters tend to remain for a few weeks time, attracting a variety of pollinators, before beginning to fade as summer draws on.

Like other members of the Rhododendron genus, 'Chionoides' can be fairly sensitive to soil moisture, pH, and light, and this species grows best in partial sun -- not too bright and not too dark -- and medium-moist, well draining, acidic soils with a good amount of organic nutrients; well-draining soild is a must. Rhododendron catawbiense 'Chionoides' is among the larger-leaved southern azaleas, but is hardy to Zone 4 and will maintain its glossy, evergreen foliage fairly well throughout the colder months. Although it may be a bit finicky to get established, Rhododendrons can live for a very long time, and 'Chionoides' will continue to impress with its striking, snow-white blooms for many springs and summers to come.