Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Album’

Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Album': Pure White Trusses with Polished Evergreen Foliage

Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Album' brings a crisp, luminous look to the spring shade garden, opening from softly flushed lilac buds into pure white blooms. Each compact, rounded truss is lightly marked with greenish-yellow blotching, adding depth without losing that clean white impact. The lustrous, dark green evergreen foliage is excellent, giving the shrub strong year-round structure even when it’s not in flower. With a moderate growth rate and a balanced, substantial form, it’s a classic choice that always looks refined.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 6’
• Spread: 6’
• Flower Colour: Pure white with greenish-yellow blotching (from lilac-flushed buds)
• Flowering Period: Late spring
• Foliage: Evergreen, lustrous dark green
• Sunlight Requirements: Part Shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter

Uses and Benefits: A strong anchor shrub for woodland borders, shaded foundation plantings, and mixed evergreen groupings where you want spring brightness paired with year-round structure. The white trusses lift darker corners and pair beautifully with other broadleaf evergreens, conifers, and shade perennials. Its substantial size makes it especially useful as a mid-to-back border framework plant, helping gardens feel layered, established, and intentional.

Care Instructions: Plant in acidic, organic-rich soil and mulch with pine bark or shredded leaves to keep roots cool and evenly moist. Water regularly during establishment and during dry spells, especially in summer. Prune only lightly right after flowering, removing spent trusses and any winter-damaged stems, and avoid heavy pruning that can reduce next year’s bloom. Shelter from harsh winter wind where possible to keep foliage looking its best.

History: This selection is part of the Catawba rhododendron group, prized for reliable performance and handsome evergreen foliage in cooler-climate landscapes. 'Catawbiense Album' is especially valued as a classic white form, offering clean, bright trusses with subtle throat markings and a polished, traditional look that has remained a favourite for decades.

Final Thoughts: For a timeless evergreen rhododendron that brightens spring shade and stays beautifully structured all year, Catawbiense Album brings quiet elegance and dependable presence to the landscape.