Crisp white spring trusses and glossy evergreen structure, a shade-garden brightener that keeps its cool all year
FEATURES:
- Pure white flower trusses that glow in spring, especially in dappled light
- Evergreen, leathery foliage for year-round screening and garden structure
- A classic “brightener” shrub for shady beds and woodland edges
- Cold-hardy and dependable for long-term performance in cooler climates
- Elegant contrast plant that pairs beautifully with dark evergreens and colorful perennials
- A strong foundation anchor that makes landscapes look fuller in every season
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
White blooms are the ultimate design tool in shade: they “read” from farther away and make darker corners feel bigger. Plant this near a path or seating area, then layer in texture at the base, ferns, heuchera, and woodland grasses, so the planting feels rich even after bloom fades. Think light + texture = instant sophistication.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Mature Height: 4-8' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Part Shade/Shade
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
Cunningham's White Rhododendron
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Rhododendron catawbiense 'Cunningham's White'
Regular price
Plant with Confidence when choosing Big & Tall Trees and Hedges!
Crisp white spring trusses and glossy evergreen structure, a shade-garden brightener that keeps its cool all year
FEATURES:
- Pure white flower trusses that glow in spring, especially in dappled light
- Evergreen, leathery foliage for year-round screening and garden structure
- A classic “brightener” shrub for shady beds and woodland edges
- Cold-hardy and dependable for long-term performance in cooler climates
- Elegant contrast plant that pairs beautifully with dark evergreens and colorful perennials
- A strong foundation anchor that makes landscapes look fuller in every season
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
White blooms are the ultimate design tool in shade: they “read” from farther away and make darker corners feel bigger. Plant this near a path or seating area, then layer in texture at the base, ferns, heuchera, and woodland grasses, so the planting feels rich even after bloom fades. Think light + texture = instant sophistication.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Mature Height: 4-8' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Part Shade/Shade
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
Why plant Cunningham's White Rhododendron?
Cunningham’s White Rhododendron has truly stood the test of time. When Andrew Jackson was in the White House and Earl Grey was the Prime Minister of the U.K., this celebrated evergreen Accent was introduced. It has been loved ever since. Because of its hardiness and many other fine attributes, it has been used in hybridization perhaps more than any other Rhododendron. It is also a superb plant in its own right. A profuse and reliable bloomer, its pristine white blossoms are pure joy in spring. During the rest of the year, it will look sharp in your foundation beds, patio area, or woodland garden. A classic! Hybrid Evergreen Rhododendrons are the result of years of patient breeding work done using countless species and forms of these spectacular Accents. Because of the efforts of so many professional and amateur plant lovers, we now have a rainbow of colors to choose from when selecting Rhododendrons for our homes. One website lists 15,000 varieties of Evergreen Rhododendrons in its database! James Cunningham of Comely Bank Nursery in Edinburgh, Scotland, bred Cunningham’s White. He released it in 1830. Then, as now, it received high marks for hardiness, disease resistance, and overall beauty.
How to use Cunningham's White Rhododendron in the landscape?
Some Rhododendrons can be a bit tricky to grow, but Cunningham’s White is one of the most resilient. With proper care, it thrives in the colder states—down to -20ºF. This one is a winner!
How To Plant Cunningham's White Rhododendron
Rhododendrons appreciate a little pampering. They thrive when shielded from hot summer sunand given moist but well-drained, acidic soil (though Cunningham’s White tolerates a higher-pH soil than most). They never like to dry out but don’t care for soggy conditions, either. Rhododendrons can “burn” from harsh chemical fertilizers, so feed with a gentle organic product like Bower & Branch Elements™ Fertilizer. Azalea lace bug can sometimes be an issue, but specimens grown in optimal conditions in most cases will remain healthy and resistant to attack. If pruning is necessary, trim your Cunningham’s White Rhododendron immediately after blooming, as next year’s flower buds are formed in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The blooms are crisp white, appearing in large trusses in spring. In part shade, the white flowers tend to look especially luminous and clean.
It prefers acidic, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Rhododendrons have shallow roots, so mulch helps keep roots cool and evenly moist, just keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. Avoid soggy soil, but don’t let it dry out completely during heat.
Deadheading spent flower trusses after bloom is optional, but it keeps the plant looking tidy and can support strong growth for next year. If shaping is needed, prune lightly right after flowering. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, since buds for future blooms form on new growth.
