Holden’s Pink Flare Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Holden’s™ Pink Flare’)
Cold Hardy Evergreen Rhododendron with Vibrant Cotton-Pink Blooms & Exceptional Disease Resistance
🌿 Plant Overview
Common Name: Holden’s Pink Flare Rhododendron
Botanical Name: Rhododendron ‘Holden’s™ Pink Flare’
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Family: Ericaceae
Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Native Range: Hybrid Garden Rhododendron
📊 Key Characteristics
Height: 4–5 feet
Spread: 4–6 feet
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: Cotton pink
Foliage: Lustrous emerald green evergreen leaves
Growth Habit: Upright, spreading, mounded shrub
☀️ Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure: Partial shade to filtered sun; morning sun preferred
Water Needs: Average (about 1 inch weekly)
Soil: Acidic, organically rich, moist but well-drained
Soil pH: 5.5–6.2
Maintenance Level: Low
Holden’s Pink Flare thrives in cool, woodland-inspired settings with rich acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
🌸 Garden Features
✔️ Vibrant cotton-pink blooms
✔️ Evergreen year-round foliage
✔️ Excellent cold hardiness
✔️ Superior root rot resistance
✔️ Pollinator-friendly flowers
✔️ Outstanding foundation or hedge shrub
✂️ Care & Maintenance
Apply mulch annually to retain moisture and protect shallow roots. Feed in late fall or early spring with fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and improve airflow.
🌼 Landscape Uses
Foundation plantings, woodland gardens, borders, cottage gardens, evergreen hedges, containers, specimen shrub plantings
🌿 19 Birch Lane Insight
Holden’s Pink Flare Rhododendron adds classic botanical garden beauty with its glowing pink blooms and rich evergreen foliage, bringing four-season elegance to shaded garden spaces.
🌱 Noteworthy Characteristics
Hybridized at the renowned Holden Arboretum, this exceptional rhododendron is admired for its curled funnel-shaped cotton-pink flowers and its unusual resistance to Phytophthora root rot. The glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, while the abundant spring blooms create a striking display in woodland and shade gardens.
⚠️ Problems
Avoid wet or poorly drained soils, which can stress roots despite this cultivar’s improved resistance. Protect from intense afternoon sun in hotter climates to prevent foliage scorch.
Holden’s Pink Flare Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Holden’s™ Pink Flare’)
Cold Hardy Evergreen Rhododendron with Vibrant Cotton-Pink Blooms & Exceptional Disease Resistance