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Rhododendron 'Sapporo'
$17.95 ea $14.36 ea
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Rhododendron 'Polarnacht'
$17.95 ea $14.36 ea
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Rhododendron 'Pohjola's Daughter'
$17.95 ea
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Rhododendron 'Northern Hi-Lights'
$16.95 ea $13.56 ea
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Rhododendron 'My Mary'
$27.95 ea $22.36 ea
Rhododendron 'Solidarity'
Named for the Polish labor union.
These beautifully ruffled flowers reach 3 inches wide, opening red and then maturing to pink and nearly white, with darker edges and a watercolor-clear tone. They appear in dome-shaped clusters of 12 or 13, absolutely stunning from the moment the buds burst open! Expect them in mid-spring in most climates, before many Rhodies have fully woken from their winter nap.
'Solidarity' is a compact shrub, much wider than it is tall, reaching 3 feet high and 5 to 6 feet wide on average. The foliage extends 5 inches long, with an elliptical shape and a matte leather texture. Very adaptable to hot climates, the foliage handles punishing sun and heat beautifully.
This Rhododendron comes by its hardiness and beauty honestly. It is descended from R. yakushimanum x 'Jean Marie de Montague,' and is fast-growing and trouble-free. Combine it with other Yak descendants such as 'Anna H. Hall' for a brilliant mid-spring through early summer bloom show, or with complementary colors from deep rosy-pink 'Temple Belle' to blinding red 'Rabatz.'
Like all Rhodies, 'Solidarity' fares best in acidic soil. Pair it with Astilbe in the mixed shade border, and with Viburnum and Kalmia in the shrub border. It is quite shallow-rooted, so cultivate carefully around it and do not overcrowd. Once established in your garden, it is a low maintenance and trouble-free joy for decades! Zones 5-9.
| Genus | Rhododendron |
| Variety | 'Solidarity' |
| Bloom Season | Mid Spring |
| Habit | Mound-shaped |
| Zone | 5 - 9 |
| Plant Height | 3 ft |
| Plant Width | 5 ft - 6 ft |
| Bloom Size | 3 in |
| Item Form | Trade Gallon (3qt) |
| Additional Characteristics | Bloom First Year, Butterfly Lovers, Easy Care Plants, Fast Growing, Free Bloomer |
| Bloom Color | Light Pink, Red |
| Foliage Color | Dark Green |
| Light Requirements | Part Shade |
| Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained |
| Resistance | Heat Tolerant |
| Soil Tolerance | Clay, Normal, loamy |
| Uses | Border, Hedge, Specimen |
| Restrictions | CAN, HI, PR, WA |
Azaleas and Rhododendrons have been interbred since the first plants were scooped out of the dirt, and for a while these "crossbreeds" were even referred to by some ghastly name — Azaleodendrons or the like.
The old rule of thumb used to be that azaleas are deciduous and rhododendrons evergreen, but if that was ever true, it isn't anymore.
The differences between the two are slight, so slight in fact that botanists do not break them into the two groups that gardeners have come to know. Rhododendrons have 10 stamens per flower, while Azaleas have only five. While both can be deciduous, that trait is typically seen more in Azaleas than Rhododendrons. The shape of the leaves is often another indicator, with larger, paddle-shaped leaves typical of Rhododendrons, Azaleas often have smaller, elliptical leaves and trumpet, or tubular-shaped flowers at the ends of the shoots.
Shop All Rhododendrons & Azales
- Butterflies like a lot of sunlight, so locate your garden in a sunny area.
- If you live in a windy location, plant your butterfly-attracting plants near a building, fence, or hedge to protect them.
- Plant a variety of nectar-rich plants, as well as shrubs and evergreens for shelter.
- Since many butterflies and native flowering plants have co-evolved, try to put in some that are native to your area. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center provides lists of plants native to states and regions.
- Certain colors are particularly attracting to butterflies – red, yellow, pink, purple, or orange blooms that are clustered or flat-topped, with a short flower tubes are especially attractive to adult butterflies.
- Avoid using pesticides, especially around nectar-producing plants.
- Provide a shallow source of water – try a birdbath with pebbles lining the bowl.
- Place a rock in a sunny spot for butterfly basking and resting.
- Create a "puddling area" by digging a shallow hole filled with compost or manure where rainwater will collect and release essential salts and minerals.
- If you want butterflies to breed in your garden, put in some caterpillar food plants, such as parsley, milkweeds, asters, thistles, violets, clover, grasses, and Queen Anne’s Lace.
- Since butterflies need nectar throughout the entire adult phase of their lives, try to create a design that will allow for a continuous bloom – when one stops blooming, another starts.
