Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Cunningham's White Rhododendron shrubs produce delicate white flowers with frilly-patterned petals against a sea of deep green leaves. Something unique about these flowers is that their buds actually start off with a bright pink color and transition to a soft white with a speckled pattern once the flowers are fully bloomed. At full maturity, your shrub will reach a maximum height ranging between 4 and 6 feet. They are easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for shrub beginners.
These shrubs are evergreen and grow copious amounts of flowers, typically producing the highest number during late spring. These can be planted for borders, mass planting, and woodland garden. The leaves may be prone to powdery mildew, which causes small sections to develop a white, powdery substance. To remedy this, an organic fungicide with sulfur can be sprayed to treat the infection. You should also prune any afflicted leaves and buds.
Cunningham's White Rhododendron Plant Care
You should plant your Cunningham’s White Rhododendron shrub in a moist, free-draining soil where it can get partial shade. A clay, foamy, or sandy soil is ideal with an acid or neutral pH level. You must water it fairly frequently, preferably on a weekly basis or in cases of extreme heat. For optimal growth, fertilizer can be utilized twice per year, once in spring and again during the summertime.
Pruning for these shrubs is not necessary but can be done to achieve a more desirable shape. If pruning is desired, doing it during late summer will help to promote improved branching and more flowers overall.
Cunningham's White Rhododendron Plant Spacing
When planting on a border, the Cunningham’s White Rhododendron shrubs should be spaced so that there is one plant per 3 or 4 meters, to account for their full growth. If planting on a hedge, you can space them more closely together.
Cunningham's White Rhododendron Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Sun (0-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-7 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Mid-Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Cunningham's White Rhododendron
- Botanical Name
- RHODODENDRON C. 'CUNNINGHAM'S WHITE'
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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