8 Plants That Look Like Rhododendron – How to Tell the Difference

With their showy clusters of colorful flowers and lush green leaves, rhododendrons are one of the most popular flowering shrubs But what if you spot a plant that resembles a rhododendron but aren’t sure if it actually is one? Many plants share similar traits with rhododendrons, making identification tricky

In this article we’ll explore 8 plants that are often mistaken for rhododendron and provide tips on telling them apart. Read on to become a rhododendron lookalike expert!

First, let’s do a quick overview of rhododendron features. Rhododendrons are woody shrubs in the heath family, with large evergreen leaves. Depending on species, they reach heights between 1-20 feet.

Rhododendrons produce showy blooms in spring and summer. Flower colors include white, pink, red, purple, yellow and orange. The blooms grow in dense clusters at the branch tips.

With over 1,000 species worldwide, rhododendrons grow across Asia, Europe, and North America. Some popular garden varieties include Catawba, Rosebay, P.J.M. and Encore azalea.

Now let’s look at some common rhododendron doppelgangers.

8 Rhododendron Lookalikes

1. Mountain Laurel

Native mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is often confused with rhododendron. It has the same glossy green elliptical leaves and grows as a multi-stemmed shrub.

However, mountain laurel has clusters of small white or pink flowers with a bowl shape, unlike rhododendron’s bell-shaped blooms. It also loses its leaves in winter.

2. Oleander

With its shiny leaves and terminal flower clusters, oleander (Nerium oleander) resembles rhododendron. But oleander has narrow lance-shaped leaves and 5-petaled flowers. It’s also an evergreen shrub.

3. Hibiscus

Tropical hibiscus shares similarities like woody stems and showy flowers. But hibiscus has maple-shaped leaves and huge colorful blooms. The flowers only last a day compared to weeks for rhododendron.

4. Azalea

Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron genus but are deciduous while most rhododendrons are evergreen. Azalea flowers also have 5 stamens while rhododendrons have 10. Most azaleas are smaller shrubs under 6 feet tall.

5. Chinese Magnolia

Chinese magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) can resemble rhododendron from afar. But up close, you can see the distinctive tulip-shaped white magnolia flowers with a strong fragrance. The leaves are also smooth-edged rather than toothed.

6. Frangipani

Though frangipani (Plumeria rubra) shares a similar size and leaf shape with rhododendron, its fragrant, brightly colored flowers are unique. Frangipani leaves are also arranged in spiral clusters along the branches rather than opposite each other.

7. Andromeda

This small genus in the heath family can be confused with dwarf rhododendron varieties. However, andromeda produces small bell-shaped flowers in dangling clusters. The leaves are also very narrow and rolled under at the edges.

8. Peach Trees

From a distance, peach tree flowers look similar to pale rhododendron blooms. But peach trees have serrated, lance-shaped leaves that turn red in fall. The flowers are also much lighter pink and have a strong fragrance.

How to Identify the Real Thing

Here are some tips for confidently identifying a true rhododendron:

  • Check for 10 stamens in bell-shaped flowers blooming in dense clusters
  • Look for broad, thick alternating evergreen leaves with smooth edges
  • Seek woody shrubs reaching 1-20 feet tall, depending on species
  • Examine bark – tends to be scaly and reddish-brown

Using these rhododendron identification cues along with comparing other features like leaves, flowers and growth habit will help you correctly tell rhodos apart from lookalike plants.

HOW TO PLANT Rhododendrons in Containers – Flowering Shrubs

FAQ

What shrub is similar to a rhododendron?

It’s easy to get azaleas, mountain laurels, and rhododendrons mixed up because they have so many similarities: all three are flowering shrubs that include species native to North America. Here’s the difference between these three plants and how to find their native varieties.

How to tell the difference between rhododendron and mountain laurel?

Rhododendron shrubs tend to grow wider than mountain laurel, reaching 12 feet across with a height of 15 feet. They form thickets or groves in shady and partially shaded areas that tend to be cool and moist. Their dark bluish-green leaves are larger than those of mountain laurel and have reddish-brown undersides.

How to tell the difference between azalea and rhododendron?

To tell them apart, first look at a flower—most azaleas have only 5 or 6 stamens, while most rhododendrons have 10 stamens. Then look at a leaf—azalea leaves tend to be thinner, softer and more pointed than rhododendron leaves.

What are rhododendrons confused with?

These two members of the plant kingdom are often confused. Especially before they blossom, they resemble each other with their bushy appearance and long, dark-green leaves. Both plants ARE shrubs, and they are often seen growing together.

What plants look like rhododendrons?

Mountain Laurel – the same leaves and growth pattern as many rhododendrons. Hibiscus – the flowers and plant structure resemble rhododendrons. Oleander – the flowers grow in similar patterns to those on a rhododendron tree. Frangipani – the leaves have a similar elongated shape, and the flowers also resemble that of a rhododendron.

Which Rhododendrons grow best?

Here is a handful of varieties that we think you’ll enjoy: ‘Blue Diamond’ is a dwarf evergreen rhododendron that grows to 3 feet. It blooms mid-season with violet-blue flowers. Zones 7 to 9. ‘Cecile’ is a vigorous azalea that grows to 7 feet and produces dark salmon-pink buds in mid-season.

What rhododendrons have purple flowers?

Purple Gem – This early-blooming dwarf rhododendron cultivar grows only two feet high and displays small purple flowers, making it perfect for front borders. Rubiginosum – This variety is a small tree cultivar that can grow up to 20 feet high. Produces trumpet-shaped flowers that range from pale lavender to pale pink.

What are the different types of rhododendron plants?

There’re several rhododendron varieties including rhododendron Elviira, rhododendron blue peter, nova zembla, Rhododendron Boule De Neige, rhododendron Windsong, rhododendron bow bells, etc. In this article, we will be talking about the 15 most popular types of rhododendron plants. Let’s get started!

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