Southgate ‘Brandi’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron ‘Michele Raley’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 5-6′
Width at Maturity: 5-6′
Spacing: 4-5′ apart for solid hedges; 10’+ apart for space between plants
Flower Color: Deep Pink
Flower Size: 2-3″ in 6 to 8 in diameter clusters!
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Type: Single, in clusters
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Dappled Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.0 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Heat, Humidity, Insect, Shade
Description
The Southgate Rhododendrons were bred in southern Louisiana to thrive in the heat and humidity of Deep South, as well as other traditional Rhododendron areas. We’ve trialed them for several years now in our central Georgia gardens and they’ve outperformed all other rhododendron we’ve attempted (unsuccessfully) to grow. In addition to their heat and humidity tolerance, the Southgate’s are also very disease resistant and insect tolerant.
Southgate Brandi Rhododendron produces abundant clusters of large ruffled deep pink blooms. The large blooms appear as the spring temperatures warm. Very lustrous medium to dark green leaves are another feature of this amazing shrub that fits perfectly in to any woodland garden or any other area of the landscape that gets dappled to part shade.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing about 5 to 6 feet tall and wide, the Southgate Brandi Rhododendron is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or as a natural hedge in partially shaded landscape borders and woodland gardens. We wouldn’t usually recommend a Rhododendron for home foundation plantings but have no problem doing so with the super-hardy Southgates! They do especially well on fertile embankments, hillsides and slopes. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and other containers with a diameter of 18 inches or more. A fine addition to pink theme gardens, rhododendron gardens and woodland gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 4 to 5 feet apart for solid hedges; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants
Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Rhododendron variety is not reliably winter hardy outdoors, you can enjoy growing it in containers that can be moved indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.
Growing Preferences
When it comes to success growing Rhododendrons, a little good advice goes a long way. When planted right and in the right spot, Rhododendrons are very easy to grow and care for.
Rhododendrons thrive in a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and part shade; preferable morning sun with afternoon shade or heavily filtered sun. All day dappled shade is fine as well. Keep in mind that whether growing in the ground or in containers, constantly soggy or wet soil is problematic for Rhododendrons, and most other plants for that matter. Some soils, such as heavy clay, quick-draining sand, or otherwise poor soils, might need to be amended to provide sufficient nutrients, better soil drainage, and/or moisture retention. In containers, select a pot with a drainage hole(s) and use a 50/50 blend of professional potting mix and potting soil. Avoid using any native soil in pots. Feed Rhododendrons after they bloom with an acid-loving formula such as an Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Food.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Rhododendrons.
How To Plant A Rhododendron
How To Fertilize & Water A Rhododendron
How To Prune A Rhododendron
Plant Long & Prosper!
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Questions? Contact Us
Rhodi arrived in great condition and looks great planted. Looking forward to spring bloom.—————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Plants arrived in a very timely manner and in great condition.———————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
The rhododendrons were very healthy upon arrival and are doing fine. No damage from shipping. Will come back in a year to let you know how they are doing in Ocala. It will be interesting to see how they handle the summer here.
Rododendren arrived in good condition. Very satisfied with purchase.























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