Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White'

Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White' (Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White') is the white rhododendron that flowers in May as though someone had laid snowy bouquets over the bush. The buds are lilac-pink, the open flowers pure white and funnel-shaped, with a fine yellow-green speckling on the upper petal. The dark green, leathery leaves stay on all year.

It is a classic for shaded corners, woodland edges and evergreen hedging: over the years the bush reaches 1.5-2.5 m tall and 2.5-4 m wide. It is happiest in partial shade with shelter from wind, on moist acid soil, and it is the one most often recommended to first-time rhododendron growers.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: Of all rhododendrons this is about the most forgiving: it puts up with slightly alkaline soil and town air where others sulk.
• Dimensions: At 10 years 1.5-2.5 m tall and 2.5-4 m wide.
• Hardiness: It overwinters down to -26 °C (USDA zone 5b).
• Flowering: In May pure white flowers with yellow-green speckling open from lilac buds.
• Light: It is happiest in partial shade sheltered from wind; full sun suits it only where the soil stays constantly moist.
• Soil: It needs an acidic, humus-rich soil - moist but well drained.
• Watering: Water evenly and keep the soil moist: the roots are shallow and will not forgive drying out.
• Care: It hardly needs pruning - just remove the spent flower heads; a harder cut back is possible in spring after flowering.
• Landscape use: City and cottage gardens, evergreen hedges and screens, and a handsome underplanting beneath tall trees.
• Origin: Known since 1830, this is the rhododendron most often used as a rootstock for grafting other cultivars.