Rhododendron 'Cunningham’s White' is a hardy early blooming rhododendron known for its pristine white flowers with pale yellow blotches. It forms a dense rounded evergreen shrub with deep green foliage and excellent winter resilience.
Height & Spread: 4 - 6 ft x 4 - 6 ft
Bloom Time: Late spring
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, acidic, humus rich, well drained soils
Watering Needs: Moderate; protect from drought in summer
Deer Resistance: Susceptible to browsing; use repellents or fencing if deer pressure is high
Native Status
Cultivated hybrid rhododendron, bred in Europe and widely used in ornamental horticulture. It is not native to North America.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Flowers attract bumblebees and other long tongued bees seeking nectar in early to mid spring.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 4 - 6 ft apart in groupings or as individual specimens in woodland gardens or shaded foundation beds.
Landscape Placement
- Well suited to shaded borders, mixed evergreen screens, or as a formal accent in acidic gardens. Performs best with wind protection and organic mulch.
Companion Plants
- Leucothoe fontanesiana (Drooping Leucothoe) - Adds cascading evergreen foliage and delicate spring blooms under similar shade conditions.
- Fern combinations (Dryopteris or Athyrium) - Contribute fine texture and shade tolerance beneath and around rhododendrons.
- Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) - Adds four season interest with large leaves, white blooms, and fall color in part shade.
- Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda) - Offers pendulous white flower clusters and year round structure that complements rhododendron forms.
- Azalea 'Girard's Fuchsia' - Provides a vibrant pink contrast during the same bloom window for layered color.