Yaku Princess Rhododendron

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Sun

(0 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

4-5 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Yaku Princess Rhododendron is  the perfect addition to the lower story of a woodland garden. This broadleaf evergreen grows low and bold, has gorgeous apple blossom pink blooms and fuzzy, leather brown indumentum on the bottom of the foliage that help protect this plant from harsh weather and drying winds in the winter. This Rhododendron is the total package.

Rhododendrons bridge the change of season from spring to summer. Yaku Princess blooms around mid-May, just in time for Mother’s Day. This Rhododendron is very pest and disease resistant. Deer and rabbits do not like to snack on the tough large leaves. The smaller size of Yaku makes it perfect for the front of a garden border or as a specimen in a container for the deck or patio.

Yaku Princess Rhododendron Care

Yaku Princess likes to be sited in any spot from full sun to part shade. Gardeners growing Rhododendrons in the warmer hardiness zones should choose a spot that has full shade late in the afternoon, or part shade for half of the day. Rhododendrons prefer an acidic soil and thrive with well drained, but consistently moist soil. Mulching with an organic compost  or leaves in the fall will help to improve the moisture retentiveness of the soil. An average to heavy soil texture is acceptable and will hold the shallow root balls in place better than sandier soils. 

Pruning is not much of an issue with Yaku Princess. Deadheading after the blooms finish is really all that is needed to maintain the compact shape of this shrub. Fertilize in the early spring with a well balanced, slow release food made for acid loving plants. Extra irrigation may be required during periods of heat and drought.

Yaku Princess Spacing

Yaku Princess Rhododendron is the perfect size for the smallest of garden spaces. It will even perform well as a container grown specimen. The height is 2-3 feet and the width is 4-5 feet. Spacing these shrubs at 4 foot on center is recommended. Planting in at least a 24 inch pot is ideal.