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Rhododendron chapmanii Chapman's Rhododendron, Chapman's Azalea1
Edward F. Gilman2Introduction
Chapman's rhododendron is listed as one of Florida's rare and endangered plants. This shrub or small tree is also the only native evergreen rhododendron in the entire state of Florida. It grows to a height and width of 3 to 6 feet and has a relatively open and stiffly ascending branching habit. The tiny leaves of this plant are dark green in color and have an elliptic shape. The leaf undersides, petioles and twigs of this charming plant are covered with rust-colored scales. Pink flowers appear on the tips of the branches in the spring before the new shoot growth commences, and small brown capsules appear shortly after flowering ceases.General Information
Scientific name: Rhododendron chapmanii
Pronunciation: roe-duh-DEN-drun chap-MAN-nee-eye
Common name(s): Chapman's rhododendron, Chapman's Azalea
Family: Ericaceae
Plant type: shrub
USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 9 ( Fig. 1 )
Planting month for zone 7: year round
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: mass planting; specimen; container or above-ground planter; trained as a standard; attracts butterflies
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseriesDescription
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Spread: 3 to 6 feet
Figure 1. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Plant habit: round
Plant density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: fineFoliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: obovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showyFlower
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristic: spring floweringFruit
Fruit shape: elongated
Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showyTrunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy; typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; can be trained to grow with a short, single trunk
Current year stem/twig color: brown
Current year stem/twig thickness: mediumCulture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; clay; loam; sand
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inchesOther
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pestsUse and Management
Chapman's rhododendron is lovely when planted singly or in mass beneath canopy trees. The plant can go largely unnoticed for 50 weeks of the year until it flowers.Place this plant in an area of the landscape that receives partial to full shade. It will be most successful if located on a well-drained, acid soil. This species is cold hardy throughout Florida.
Chapman's rhododendron may be propagated by seeds or cuttings.
Pests and Diseases
Phytophthora root and stem rot can become a problem. Poorly drained soils, overwatering, and nutrient deficiencies will aid in the development of root rot.This plant is also bothered by mites, mealy bugs, scale insects and various leaf and flower diseases. The best defense against these problems is to provide good growing conditions.
Footnotes
1. This document is FPS505, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October, 1999. Reviewed June, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.