Yaku Prince Rhododendron

Description from Wayside Gardens

Rhododendron yakushimanum ‘Yaku Prince’

Unique foliage is lovely dark green with suede-like brown coating on the underside of the leaves.

‘Yaku Prince’ is one of the finest of the Tony Shammarello hybrids from Ohio. Its May flowers are apple-blossom pink marked with blush and becoming lighter as they mature. Appearing in huge clusters, the blooms are breathtaking in both number and size — a spectacular show for any Rhododendron!

Reaching 3 to 4 feet in height in 10 years, ‘Yaku Prince’ is a very well-branched, dense little shrub, its impact greater than its size might suggest. In addition to the magnificent blooms, it offers deep green foliage coated with a light brown down (indumentum) on the undersides, producing a suede-like effect.

Open woodland conditions are ideal for this hard-to-find and exceptionally hardy Rhododendron. Light, well-drained, moist soil high in organics and somewhat acidic works best. Site it in dappled shade or, in northerly climates, nearly full sun. Avoid excessively wet or dry soils that don’t “breathe”, as well as exposure to desiccating sun in the south and wind in the north. Plant shallowly and mulch. Don’t cultivate to retain moisture and control weeds.

Rhododendron can be pushed a zone colder, provided it is sheltered and kept covered by snow during winter cold snaps to preserve its buds, which develop the previous year. Zones 5-8. Cannot ship to WA.

• Genus     Rhododendron
• Species     yakushimanum
• Variety     ‘Yaku Prince’
• Item Form     Trade Gallon (3qt)
• Zone     5 – 8
• Bloom Season     Late Spring
• Plant Height     3 ft
• Plant Width     4 ft
• Additional Characteristics     Flower
• Bloom Color     Light Pink
• Foliage Color     Dark Green
• Light Requirements     Part Shade, Shade
• Soil Tolerance     Normal,  loamy
• Uses     Ornamental
• Restrictions     Virgin Islands, Washington, Canada, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico