Yaku Prince Rhododendron

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Sun

(0 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Looking for the most low-maintenance Rhododendron of all? Plant Yaku Prince Rhododendron. The compact growth habit is very slow to grow and tops out at 3-4 feet at full maturity. Although the growth is slow and even, that does not mean that Yaku Prince lacks the profuse blooming that Rhododendrons are prized for. The deep pink flower buds erupt into froths of pale rosey pink in mid-May to June.

The Yaku Prince rhododendron is at home in the woodland garden as well as a more modern urban garden design. The strong shape of the branches and evergreen leaves gives structure to a garden or container for 4 seasons of the year. Container growing Yaku Prince is a great way to be able to see the gorgeous pink flowers up close as well as feel the suede soft indumentum on the underside of the thick leathery leaves. Deer rarely browse Rhododendron.

Yaku Prince Rhododendron Care

Yaku Prince Rhododendron will perform best in the shadier parts of a garden. Bright shade to mostly shade is perfect. Full sun early in the morning is tolerable. Acidic soil that is well drained and moist. Average to sandy texture will help the shallow root system spread out in all directions. Heavy clay soils tend to hold too much moisture in the winter and cause root rot.

Pruning of Yaku Prince is rarely needed, but should be done only after bloom time in the early summer. Most Rhododendrons bloom on previous seasons' growth and set the next set of buds late in the summer and early fall. Fertilize Yaku Prince early in the spring with a well balanced, slow release food formulated for acid loving shrubs. This supplemental feeding will support flower formation and deep green leaf color. The suede-like indumentum helps to protect the shrub from cold, dry weather in the winter and also provides some protection from sap sucking pests such as aphids. Rhododendrons that have indumentum need less sheltered sites during the winter and grow better in the colder hardiness zones of the plant's range.

Yaku Prince Rhododendron Spacing

When shrubs are as slow growing as Yaku Prince, the mature sizes need to be kept in mind when planting. The mature height and width is 3-4 feet. Spacing shrubs at 3 feet on center will provide proper spacing for good air circulation.